Understanding Art Schools

1
Understanding Art Schools

• Amy Mitchell
• Senior Admissions Counselor
• Columbia College Chicago
• 323-469-0914
• amitchell_at_colum.edu

2
Some Well Known Art Schools

• Art and Design Schools
• Otis College of Art and Design
• Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago
• California College of the Arts
• The University of the Arts
• _Columbia College Chicago
• _Cornish College of the Arts

3
Some Well Known Art Schools

• Art Schools Within Larger Universities
• New York University (NYU)-Tisch School of the
  Arts
• Temple University-Tyler School of Art
• UCLA- UCLA School of Arts and Architecture
• Syracuse University-College of Visual and
  Performing Arts

4
Some Well Known Art Schools

• Conservatories
• The Julliard School
• Berkelee College of Music
• Oberlin Conservatory
• The Boston Conservatory
• American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA)
• The University of the Arts

5
Majors Offered at Art Schools

• Animation
• Crafts
• Film
• Painting/Drawing
• Graphic Design
• Industrial Design
• Photography
• Interior Design

• Dance
• Music Performance
• Theatre Arts
• Fashion Design
• Illustration
• Sculpture
• Printmaking
• Jewelry, Metalsmithing

6
Difference Between Bachelor Degrees

• BA Degrees are usually found in traditional
  colleges and universities
• The focus within a BA Degree Program leans more
  toward studies in theory and the liberal arts.
• 2/3 of overall curriculum is devoted to courses
  in the liberal arts.
• 1/3 of overall curriculum is devoted to courses
  in the studio arts.

7
Differences Between Bachelor Degrees

• BFA and BM Degrees are specialized and found
  mostly at art and design schools, and
  conservatories, though they may also be offered
  at more traditional schools.
• The focus within a BFA or BM Degree Program leans
  more toward studies in studio course work.
• 2/3 of overall curriculum is devoted to courses
  in the studio arts
• 1/3 of overall curriculum is devoted to courses
  in the liberal arts.

8
Art School Philosophies

• Students should choose an art school based on its
  curriculum, environment, and if the mission and
  philosophy fits in alignment with the
  individuals career goals and objectives.
• Some schools have a more conceptual approach to
  its academic offering. Not much emphasis is
  placed on technical training, but more on the
  concept behind what the student is conveying.
• Other schools may emphasize a more technical
  approach, in order to achieve a common look that
  defines that schools style.

9
Art School Philosophies

• Concept Based Schools
• California Institute of the Arts (Cal Arts)
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago
• San Francisco Art Institute
• School of the Museum of Fine Arts

10
Art School Philosophies

• Technical Based Schools
• Art Center College of Design
• Rhode Island School of Design
• Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)
• College of Creative Studies
• Cleveland Institute of Art

11
Art School Philosophies

• Schools with Emphasis in both Technique and
  Concepts
• The University of the Arts
• Otis College of Art and Design
• California College of the Arts
• The New School of Parsons College of Design
• Columbia College Chicago
• Cornish College of the Arts
• Syracuse University College of VPA

12
School Curriculum

• Many art schools offering a visual arts program
  like The University of the Arts, Otis College of
  Art and Design, and RISD will require their first
  year students to go through a Foundation Year of
  Study. This year is geared towards teaching
  students the true meaning of what it means to be
  an artist and designer by taking traditional
  courses in drawing, 2-D, 3-D design, and art
  history regardless of what their intended major
  will be.

• Because conservatories and schools offering
  programs in the performing arts require students
  to go through an audition process, one can start
  directly in their major as a first year student.
  
• Some schools may institute a cut system which
  requires its students to audition each year to
  remain in the program.

13
Types of Art Schools

• Conservatories The nature of the training means
  that all students will be professionally
  oriented, that the atmosphere is usually intense,
  and that academic education is minimal. Although
  conservatories tend to be expensive, most offer
  generous scholarships to talented students. Cut
  system. No academics.
• 4-Year Art-Focused Schools These are what most
  people associate with art school. Art-focused
  schools are very competitive, but the focus of
  that school will be on you, the arts and an art
  focused career.

14
Types of Art Schools

• Art Schools offering liberal arts degrees and
  general education.
• Vocational Schools, Technical Schools and
  Proprietary Schools --Vo-Tech schools generally
  offer very specialized courses and education
  paths, and run from 1 to 2 years. Again, the
  range of quality between schools can be dramatic,
  so be sure to do lots of research into both the
  curriculum and instructor staff. Depending on the
  course, Vocational Schools and Technical Schools
  can also be very expensive. They should make it
  clear that they are not accredited, but to be
  safe you should always ask. The credits from
  these schools are not transferrable and though
  you may earn a paper degree, it will not count as
  a college degree.

15
Accreditation

• Be aware of a schools accreditation status
• Schools should be accredited by one of the six
  regional sectors of the Council for Higher
  Education Accreditation
• Specific Accrediting bodies for art schools
• National Association of Schools of Art and Design
  (NASAD)
• National Association of Schools of Music (NASM)

16
Applications

• The application process is different for each
  school take time to contact the schools you are
  interested in.
• Generally, art schools want to see letters of
  recommendation from people who know you as a
  creative person.
• Think of your essay as an artist statement.
• Do an interview if possible.
• If you had a rough spot with your grades make
  sure to address that in a separate written
  statement.

17
Common Application

• More and more art schools are starting to take
  the common app.
• The art supplement is your portfolio, take care
  with it.
• Guidelines Enclose a 10-minute CD or DVD with
  this form that demonstrates contrasting examples
  of expression and technique. Many schools are
  now using the website www.slideroom.com.

18
Common Application

• Send copies only as most schools will not return
  the materials.
• Take care in the written portion. Include your
  resume.
• Explain what you are doing in the portfolio.
• Make certain to highlight all relevant experience.

19
Portfolio Requirements

• Most art schools require students to submit a
  portfolio in addition to transcripts, SAT/ACT
  scores and the college essay.
• Portfolios are a way for admission counselors and
  faculty members to view a students thought
  process when interpreting ideas and visually
  presenting them on a 2-D or 3-D level.
• Portfolios should also demonstrate knowledge of
  color theory, composition and should be cohesive
  in nature.

• Typical requirements for a portfolio may include
  the following
• Observational drawings (i.e.. still life, figure
  drawings)
• 2-D design work
• 3-D design work
• Work from a students area of interest (i.e..
  animation demo reel, illustrations.)
• Note-Drawings from a photograph is a common
  practice among students, but should be avoided
  for the college portfolio.

20
Portfolios

• Portfolios should show diversity in techniques
  and variety in subject matter.
• You may also show work in any medium (oils,
  photography, pastels, etc.) and in either
  black-and-white or color, or both. Feel free to
  use classroom assignments as well as independent
  projects.
• Most schools will ask students to submit between
  10 and 20 pieces in DVD or CD or through websites
  allowing students to upload their work.

21
Portfolio Tips

• Tips for In Person Portfolio Review
• Try to make your portfolio clean and organized.
• Protect your work, but make sure the package you
  select is easy to handle and does not interfere
  with the viewing of the artwork.
• If you choose to mount or mat your work (not
  required), use only neutral gray tones, black or
  white
• Spray fixative over charcoal drawings.
• Label each piece with your name, address and HS.
• Your portfolio should be cohesive, giving the
  viewer a story of who you are as an artist.

22
Portfolio Tips

• At some schools you may present your portfolio on
  campus or at a portfolio day.
• Some schools may allow students to provide a URL
  or a DVD Rom.
• Current Websites
• Highschoolportfolios
• Slideroom for specific schools
• Carbonmade

23
Audition Requirements

• The performing arts requires of its practitioners
  - whether theyre actors, singers, musicians or
  dancers a certain amount of physical activity.
  
• The audition measures not only the students
  creative and expressive facility, but also the
  level of skill acquired.

• Typical requirements for an audition may include
  the following
• Dance
• A class in ballet, modern or jazz
• A solo presentation
• Theatre
• Two contrasting monologues for acting
• Resume and portfolio of design work
• Music
• Performance ability
• Understanding of major and minor scales and ear
  training
• Ability to sight read.

24
Audition Tips

• Music Auditions
• Ideally for vocal majors, one should prepare at
  least two pieces in contrasting styles (operatic,
  show music or art song repertoires).
• Memorize each piece.
• Instrumentalist should be prepared to play scales
  and arpeggios, at least one etude or technical
  study, and a solo work.
• Not necessary to memorize as sight-reading is req.

25
Audition Tips

• If you are performing music that is sight-read,
  look the piece over entirely to acquaint yourself
  with keys and time signatures. Singers should
  bring appropriate accompanist unless noted
  otherwise.
• Practice in front of as many folks as possible.
• Apply to at least three schools, as music
  programs vary in degree of competitiveness.

26
Audition Tips

• Dance Auditions
• Like other auditions, dance auditions will vary
  from institution to institution.
• Some schools may hold a full class (i.e.. Ballet,
  modern, jazz) followed by students performing a
  personal solo piece. Other schools may require a
  performance piece and evaluate the students
  execution.
• Faculty look for rhythm, coordination, body
  structure, and potential to learn and complete
  the curriculum.

27
Audition Tips

• Theatre Auditions
• Only schools offering a BFA degree in Theatre
  will require students to audition for entry into
  their program.
• Two contrasting monologues taken from plays of
  your choice is the general norm for Acting majors
  (Musical Theatre will require in addition to the
  above two musical selections, one up-tempo and
  one ballad, as well as a dance movement
  sequence).

28
Audition Tips

• Theatre Audition
• Choose material suitable for your age
• Memorize and be familiar with the entire play and
  context of your selection if choosing a monologue
  from a book of monologues.
• Select monologues that allow you to speak
  directly to another person you should play only
  one character
• Avoid using characterization or style, as they
  tend to trap you rather than tapping deeper into
  inner resources.
• Memorize your selection.

29
Important Dates

• National Portfolio Day
• www.portfolioday.net
• Unified Auditions
• www.unifiedauditions.com

30
Im Done, Now What??Careers in the Arts

• A starving artist is only a myth.
• Having an education that combines honing ones
  craft, promoting the ability to solve problems
  and analyze situations will lead to a rewarding
  career in the arts community.

31
Careers in the Arts

• Consider replacing this question
• "What job can I do with an art major?"
• With this
• "What am I capable of as an art major?

32
Five Ways to Market Your Arts Degree

• Five ways to Market your Arts Degree
• 1. Say It Loud You're Arts Educated and Proud.
• Sell Your Passion The neat thing about many
  arts grads is that they chose their major because
  they truly loved the subject matter. They were
  not motivated by what they could do
  occupationally with the major or how much money
  they could make after graduating with that major.
  They were motivated by the pure joy of wanting to
  learn the field in which they majored.

33
Market Your Degree

• Sharpen Your Focus The world is truly your
  oyster as a arts grad. Employers want to know
  what you want to do, and the more focused you
  are, the easier it will be to land a job.
• Your Skills Know Them, Embrace Them, Market
  Them Time and again, research shows that
  communication skills are by far the skills most
  sought after by employers. As an arts major, you
  have learned to communicate orally and in
  writing.
• 5. Let Your Resume Sing the Praises of an Arts
  Education Highlight your arts skills.

34
Examples of Careers Achieved by an Art School
Education

• Producer on Good Morning America
• Creative Director of Louis Vuitton
• Artistic Director of the Alvin Ailey American
  Dance Theatre
• Senior Level Artist At Sony Entertainment
• Lead Game Animator at Sony Computer Entertainment
  America
• Associate Professor of Digital Animation,
  Philadelphia University
• President, HBO Films
• President, Music, Warner Brothers Pictures
• Academy Award-winning cinematographer
• Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist, the New
  York Times