School taught me to write down my dreams and attack them, that they turn to dust if you don’t.
-artist, Paul Anthony Smith
Now that you’ve weighed the differences between a university art program and an art school, it’s time to consider which of the many available programs is right for you. First, you’ll want to make a list of your favorites (all of the following posts in this series can help you with this!). In compiling your list, consider the questions below to help discern which programs are right for you.
Take a few moments to journal about these and see what answers you come up with.
What type of artist are you?
- What type of artist do I want to be? Working or teaching or both?
- What do I value about art and in what ways do I live those values in my life?
- What factors (environmental or otherwise) do I need to feel creative?
- What type of art do I gravitate towards?
- What type of art most interests me and why?
What type of program would be a good fit for you?
- Which art programs produce artists with the careers I hope to emulate?
- Which programs offer interesting opportunities outside of or in connection with the art program?
- Will the program I attend help me connect with other artists in the region/city I want to live in?
- Which programs offer opportunities or assistance for students post-graduation?
- Which programs have teachers who are actively participating in the art world and art market? Is that important to me? Why?
- Do I want to attend a program that focuses solely on art education and technique or do I also want to learn how to live as a working artist?
- What kind of personality would I like my program to have? Warm and welcoming? Relaxed? Rigorous? A competitive program because I require and embrace criticism or a kind and open program so that I can slowly develop my voice without feeling criticized?
What other factors impact your choice of program?
- What kind of community helps me feel most creative (traditional, unconventional, competitive, supportive)?
- Do I prefer the intimate company of a few people when making art or am I energized by the presence of many different ideas and individuals?
- Who are the artists I admire and where do they teach?
- What region or city do I want to live in and why?
- What is the art scene like there?
- Is it important to me to be in the center of a city with a lot of art happening or would I rather be further away from it all so that I can focus on my work?
What are your post-graduation goals?
- Do I want to attend an MFA program?
- After graduation, do I see myself making art on the side while working in another field or do I see myself making art full-time?
- What are my long-term goals?
Did you find some clarity you didn’t have before? Now, let’s explore why these questions (and your answers to them) matter.
It can be tough (near impossible) to define yourself as an artist this early on in the journey, but the first step in pursuing this lifelong vocation is to consider the many factors that go into becoming a successful artist. If, for example, you have multiple interests, you might consider a double major at UCLA (which we profile in Post 7) where you can study the history of hip hop alongside the study of sound or performance installation. Or, say you want to study brain science and painting, then get a dual degree (BFA+BS) from SMFA at Tufts, a unique combination program, which we profile in Post 8. If this kind of cross-disciplinary study appeals to you, you should look exclusively at university art programs rather than an art school, which generally limits you to a BFA in your chosen artistic medium.
Alternatively, if you’ve been taking art classes for years and feel ready and committed to develop your voice so that you can live as a working artist, you might consider which programs will best set you up for an MFA program. MFA programs are often the next step for career artists where they build upon what they’ve learned in undergraduate programs, while also gaining the connections and life skills necessary for making it as an artist. Art schools and top university art programs can be wonderful incubators for emerging artists who hope to go onto a competitive MFA program. In particular, art schools prepare students for the MFA trajectory and the singular track of becoming a professional artist.
Consider your values and priorities, as well. Do you value experimentation? Admire artists who break molds and challenge established theories? Then CalArts, long known as one of the most groundbreaking conceptual art schools in the country, might be for you. We include it in our deep dive of the country’s top art schools (Post 5). Or, if you’re looking for an unconventional university art program, you might consider Brown University, which we cover in Post 6 about Ivy League art programs. On the other hand, do you value rigor, steadfastness, and a respect for traditional artmaking? Yale University, one of the most renowned and longstanding art programs in the country, would be a good choice then. Finally, if you’re looking for a well-established, selective art school, RISD (profiled in Post 5) is considered the top art school in the country and holds rigorous standards for its students.
Each program has its own personality, which we help you decipher in this series, but in order to make an informed decision, you need to identify your own goals and values and evaluate how they align with each program. As you explore each of the questions above and as we progress in this series, you’ll have a better sense of who you are as an artist and what kind of art program will be best for you.
The college admissions process can be overwhelming, and it may feel difficult to know where to start. At Collegiate Gateway, we are eager to share our expertise and guide you on your admissions strategy and the path to your “best fit” college. Please feel free to contact us! As always, we’re happy to help!
