Art colleges: Are they worth it?

[Kanamo]

I've been looking through and researching about numerous art colleges, and I've noticed that most of them say the same thing:

--> You'll accumulate a large debt (approximately $100k, give or take a few)
--> It's difficult to find work after you've graduate as an art major in the field you major in
--> Go to junior community colleges first because art college's core classes (math, science, social studies, english) aren't worth $1300 that a junior community college can provide for $300.
--> Going to a big name college doesn't mean much if all you do not come out in the top 15%  

[Errol McGillivray]

It really depends on why you're going. Are you going to learn to be a good artist, or are you going so you can enter the workforce? I can tell you this, you will be hard pressed to find many artists with no post secondary education that aren't in their late 20s and older. (The industry took a turn then and sometime when we were in pre secondary, art, music and phys ed got cut more and more from public schools. Unless you've already made that focus, you will probably not be good enough to work without more education.

You don't have to get a degree to get it though. There are rare apprenticeships. There are places like Art Student League where you don't get credit or grades. You just learn from people who know what they're doing. (Which I prefer. Unfortunately, I work full time and can only do online schooling or weekends.)

School is really what you make it. The only thing about community schools is that they have less to work with in resources, money, help, everything. I found my education in the vast majority of my classes in cc lacking. I don't feel the same way in my university classes, but at the same time, I'm too old to be scratching for grades. I also don't like that they drag the semster out 15 weeks. You know, you don't have to go to a big name school either. State schools are just fine and a hell of a lot cheaper than out of state. If there's a university in your county or city/town, you get even more of a discount. Local is better. (You can also bum off your parents longer and save your OWN money so when you get out of school, you're not starting with nothing and can then move out unlike many who have to move back home and deal with the rents for years after.) There are a lot of ways to go.  

[Kanamo]

Thanks, Errol-your input was really helpful! I've always thought that going to art colleges should be the "right choice" if art was going to be a major, but thinking about it after reading your post.. regular universities/colleges seem a lot more in a bang for a buck. XD  

[Errol McGillivray]

Take your time deciding. You know that rule that says you HAVE to go to college right out of highschool? It doesn't exist. Take your time and plan.  

[tirbutt]

I am not going to an art school right now... but what if I were, what I would like to get from it would more be the environment of being with other artists and people who think about art and can talk to you about it... also if you are looking for an art program, pay attention to their employment rate post-graduation... some are more focused than others on getting their students employed... They can be a good way to get your foot in the door in an industry where ties mean a lot...  

[Lunara_moon]

I am going to the columbus of college of art and design this fall. I am fresh out of highschool and I think it is a good idea to get an education as soon as possible. CCAD offers a short teaching program and gets the artists certified to teach. The tuition is around $22,000 but they throw out scholarships generously. I have mediocre art and I came out with a $30,000 scholarship split between the 4 years and $13,000 in financial aid just for my first year. I only have to get a $2,000 loan to cover my first years tuition plus $6,000 to cover my dorm cost. but after my first year I will only have to get a few more loans. By the time I graduate I will only be around $25,000 in loan debt which isn't bad for the cost of the school. I will also have a good degree investment under my belt.

Keep in mind that If you become a teacher, some schools that hire you will help pay off your loans ( e.g Perkins loan)

Here where I live, Central Ohio, there are plenty of teaching jobs available. My art teacher who also got a degree from CCAD was offered a job from at least 3 school around the area. There is also the option of making your own community business. my small city of around 8,000 has 3 art galleries and workshops created by locals with art degrees.

My dream job is to own my own art gallery that i teach local art workshops and a small coffee shop inside to help maintain stable business. I want to help educate young generations about art and create a cultural town.


If I am wrong about any of this inform me please, remember I am only just out of High school. ^_^  

[Lunara_moon]

If you get a bachelors degree in Fine Arts and some type of teaching certification, the average secondary school teacher makes about $35,000- $42,000 a year, depending on the school.  

[perplexi]

Well it all depends on if the art college in question has a good career center. If not, then it's harder.

Also if you're going into fine arts, just expect to be poor. Going into fine arts is stupid stupid stupid 'cause there are like no jobs for it and you'll be lucky to get a gallery opening.

But I think you not going to art college is stupid stupid stupid too, 'cause what they teach you, you can't learn anywhere else because you learn from the best. If you're not a serious artist then just ignore my previous statement, because if it's only a hobby then w/e it doesn't matter if you don't go to art college.
I'm just telling you now tho- most art colleges in their freshman years are like boot camp and really put you through the ropes, so you really need to be serious about going into art.

And Lunara_moon, if you really want to have a gallery opening and all first get a nice high paying job- like something in concept art or digital media- and save up enough for you to afford to commit to fine arts. I guess you could be a teacher and stuff too, though personally I'd hate teaching (=P).
It's really boot camp hell tho, so be prepared for the worst.  

[iJigyakuteki_Cookie]

MIAD sends their students to work right away after they are graduated. It's something they take care of. I've been there for programs and stuff and it's a really great school. 80 - 90 percent of their students end up with a job. heart heart I find it worth going to art school because you leave with things you never thought of before. Maybe a new outlook on life even, just by the people you meet.  

[Starving_4_Art]

I'm just a freshman in highschool but college is a big thing, esspecially with how wacked up the economy is right now... I'm hoping to get into art education, at least at first. There is a lack of qualified art teachers so i figured i'd teach highschool art while i get my masters and maybe become an art proffesor at a college and maybe open a gallery eventually. My big problem is how i'm gonna pay for college. I don't have money, and my parents don't have money gonk . I have a settlement from the airforce that i'm gonna spend on colledge but it wont be enough...(Dont ask me why i got the settlement, it's too long a story) And does anybody know of a really good art HIGH SCHOOL??? I'm hoping i might find one that isn't a private or boarding school...  

[Hinabi]

From a graphic designer's perspective, art school is where you make most of your initial "network" connections. Others have the right idea with being surrounded by an artist environment and community, but networking is key. The more people you know, the easier it is to find work in the future after college.  

[Noirabu]

✞
85%+ of the students at my school are in a job within 6 months after they graduate ((depending on your major)) and our school also helps you with that
as for the debt? yeah, it sucks. its sucks BIG TIME.
but i think i'll be worth it. i LOVE my school. i think it is so much fun and i've never felt that way about a school ever in my life.
and general ed. courses: yeah, you'll most definitely get better ones in a junior college ((or at least from what i know)) my school tends to skimp on our gen. ed. courses. HOWEVER i like them way better than if i were to go to a junior college. gen. ed. courses at my school are more geared towards people who have little to no interest/attention span for them. so they are set up in a way to keep you from failing them all and skipping all the time. XD;;

**note; this is from my perspective of my school ((Art Institute of Atlanta)) so i have no idea how it may work in others
✞

 

[Dejection]

I went to CalArts in Valencia...the school started by Walt Disney. Pretty much every animation student goes immediately to work for Pixar, and a lot of the original Pixar animators even teach there.

Depends what you want to do, really  

[Starving_4_Art]

That's Awesome!! Alot of ppl have told me I should work for pixar because of my wild animation. I'll most definatly have to check it out!!! mrgreen

Dejection

I went to CalArts in Valencia...the school started by Walt Disney. Pretty much every animation student goes immediately to work for Pixar, and a lot of the original Pixar animators even teach there.

Depends what you want to do, really

 

[amandarosemaryjayne]

i went to college as a mature student...and now at university (age 24)
the reason i waited..because i wanted to see if i could sell my work..make my own connections etc
and i did....kinda..
but its VERY VERY hard ...and most bigger galleries dont accept work from artists who dont have that 'certain' piece of paper
yes i survived as an artist..i payed the bills...but i needed more (you can only get so far selling stuff on coffee shop walls and in small private galleries)
tho my college course was only a year ive now got my connections...a year ago i was selling my sketches and drawings to anyone i could for between £5 and £70 ...now...my work has been accepted in over 9 'top' galleries and my last painting sold 3 weeks ago for £1300 smile all i can say is...it is worth it...sometimes it doesnt seem like it but..you get there.

the college course i studied was a basic foundation in art and design (including textiles, ceramic, jewelry making, print. wood and metal...my uni course is an interdisciplinary too..being a wide range of subjects people ive spoken to who have been on the course before think its pretty easy to get a job after (some have moved on to be college or university workshop specialists..or with a couple of added years teacher training an actual tutor.....some are fine artists, one clothing designer, some into illustration...

guess i'll see how it goes for me smile