Art Schools
Advertising, photography, graphic design, the fine arts, motion pictures – for many, a career in one of these fields begins with an art school. Art schools range from fine arts colleges like the Yale School of Art and Cooper Union to art schools focusing on animation and digital art. Depending on the field, there are a wide variety of art schools to choose from.
Talent and dedication are vital when seeking a career in the arts, but choosing an appropriate art school can make the difference between obscurity and success. Training and experience are obvious benefits of attending an art school, but these institutions also offer students a network of artistically-minded peers and industry professionals. Faculty at worthwhile art schools not only are skilled in their craft but are well-established in the professional world of art. As a result, art school faculty provides students with insight into art and design fields, which can make all the difference after graduation when students begin new careers. Considering the U.S. Department of Labor statistics list 64 percent of artists as self-employed, the industry knowledge and mentorship of art school faculty is invaluable to artists.
When choosing an art school it is also important to consider accreditation. Some art schools are free-standing and without the umbrella of a college or university, while others are departments in large universities. Whether the art school is Rhode Island School of Design or Yale School of Art, any potential college should be accredited. Most worthwhile colleges hold regional accreditations, but there are art-specific accreditations that are also important. Many art schools are accredited by NASAD, or the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. Membership in AICAD, the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design, is another art-specific accreditation.
The main goal of an art school is to prepare artists for a career in art or design. At art schools, students prepare portfolios, gain work experience, and acquire the references necessary to get a foot in the door at museums, movie studios, advertizing agencies, and magazines. The experience gained at art schools gives aspiring artists a valuable edge in an incredibly competitive field.