Choosing art school that is right for you is vital, if you want to pursue a career as an artist. A school with a good reputation also stands out on your CV, and will boost your chances of getting hired. Here’s some tips for choosing art school that are proven to work:
Research the Faculty
A helpful thing about art schools is that they often have faculty members who are practicing, established artists. When comparing schools with one another, find out who you are likely to study under, then research your potential professor. Look to see if they share your interests, or possess skills that you wish to master. If you want to work at a museum or art gallery, you might be best placed to complete a degree in art history. If you want to become a graphic artist, you need a syllabus that includes computer training, because computers are required for graphic designs.
Check for Accreditation
Identifying the accredited schools is also important, because some institutions don’t have academic accreditation. If the school is accredited, it means it has satisfied particular syllabus requirements to function as a higher learning institution. If you study at a non accredited school and then choose to move to one that is accredited, the lessons might not transfer. Academic organizations monitor the accreditation procedure in most countries, to ensure that schools fulfill the necessary criteria.
Look at Their Financial Assistance Schemes
Virtually every art school provides some type of financial assistance scheme. In particular, search for entrance aid or scholarships, awards associated with your own fields of interest, and regular funding (i.e. funding offered to students in every year of study). If financial assistance is a big factor in your choice, it will be useful to know ahead of time what is available.
Know the Time Scale
The time period it takes to finish the course is another variable when choosing art school. In liberal arts colleges, a minimum of four years is required before graduation, however technical schools only require twelve months or a couple of years. The main difference between courses in technical schools and liberal arts colleges is the kind of syllabus that each institution adopts. Technical schools will only feature art lessons, while liberal arts colleges will include other mandatory lessons that are unrelated to art.
Take Other Possibilities Into Account
If you are finding it difficult to settle or commit to a single course, do not discount evening or part time lessons as a great channel for learning art. Lots of people attend art school without clearly defined objectives — and this is OK. However, be open minded about other avenues as well. A number of art schools provide evening lessons or ‘continuing education’. If you are not thrilled about having to commit to a four year course, taking individual classes at your own pace is a much better (and more affordable) way to dip your toe into the water of art education.
Final Thoughts
Probably the best method to identify a suitable art school, like redfoxartist.com, is to pay the school a visit. When you visit, look round the premises and question the admissions team about the courses. Past students are an excellent information source too, because they can talk about their experiences and the jobs they were able to get after graduating. If many of the school’s graduates have won art exhibition awards or prizes, this reflects positively on the school. Also, it is wise to research what the school’s reputation is in the art community, because you want to attend a school that best fits your requirements.
