Counseling students who think they can draw, sculpt or paint

Counseling students who think they can…

Draw, Sculpt or Paint

“I am an artist… I am here to live out loud.” Emile Zola

The five most important things to know about art schools*

First, some good news…

•  Plenty of options: •  More than 50 professional art schools •  More than 300 additional BFA/BFA programs in colleges

and universities

•  Creative programs are challenging, BUT the student usually does not have to be an accomplished artist

•  What admissions committees look for:

passion, commitment, work ethic, potential for success, creative ability, basic technical skills

…and then the reality check

•  But: Lots of competition

•  What it’s like to be an art student –  Different from high school art classes: studio environment,

workload/pace, commitment vs. expectations –  Typical four-year program includes

•  Foundation Year •  Two years major area study (with/without

concentration) •  Senior thesis and/or exhibit

1 Applying to an art program is basically the same process •  Finding a good fit: the importance of matching students and

college personalities in art –  Different environmental and curricular emphasis and

priorities: •  Traditional •  Progressive •  Technical •  Industry/career oriented •  Conceptual/theoretical •  Co-ops •  Hands-on

1 …basically the same process

•  Degree options: BA vs BFA vs BS. Is an MFA really necessary?

•  Institutional options: •  Conservatory: Regionally accredited non-profit

independent professional art and design colleges offering BFA degrees

•  University: College or division within a university, department

•  Liberal Arts College major/minor programs •  Community colleges: AA, AAS programs

2 Applying to an art program is a different process •  So many choices: Why it’s important to discover and focus

on the type of college experience the student wants –  Evaluating where and how to strengthen any

weaknesses before applying

•  Understanding how academic credentials do/don’t align with requirements for the college-bound artist

“Arts education aids students in skills needed in the workplace: flexibility, the ability to solve problems and communicate, the ability to learn new skills, to be creative and innovative, and to strive for excellence.” – Joseph M. Calahan, Director of Cooperate Communications, Xerox Corporation

2 …a different process

•  How? Additional elements:

Visual • Portfolio: Basic requirements

– Master portfolio vs targeted versions – Submitting art

•  Uniform application assignments (“take-home exams”) Written

• The artist statement Presenting: The interview

•  Tackling and submitting applications

•  CA4 Arts Supplement: the basics; what’s different?

•  Non- Common Application applications



•  Setting priorities and managing time: –  Why it’s even more critical for art students!

–  How http://mycca.net/ can help with art students

–  How http://portfolioprep.org/ can help:

•  Website: portfolioprep.org •  Phone: 203.746.0100; 203.947.9899 •  Email: [email protected] •  Contact: Lorraine Serra

3 There are more areas of study than you can imagine

•  Fine art/traditional •  Design •  Artisan/Craft •  Art History/Museum Studies •  Education •  Hybrid/Interdisciplinary •  Most popular/trending

4 Yes, you CAN make a living as an artist!

•  Addressing parent concerns, i.e., “What can you do with a degree in art?”

•  Career paths:

200+ possibilities… Fine Arts • Museums/Galleries • “Commercial” Art • Education • Therapy • Media • Photography • Fashion, Interior, Textile Design • Retail • Media, etc., etc. …and more every year

4 Yes, you CAN…

• What the hard data tells us: research and case studies are more accurate:

–  SNAAP Report: http://portfolioprep.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/SNAAP_Press_Release_0503112.pdf

“We need people who think with the creative side of their brains—people who have played in a band, who have painted…it enhances symbiotic thinking capabilities, not always thinking in the same paradigm, learning how to kick-start a new idea, or how to get a job done better, less expensively.”

–Annette Byrd, GlaxoSmithKline

5 Resources abound… •  National Portfolio Days: http://www.portfolioday.net/

•  Other college fairs and opportunities: –  NACAC: http://www.nacacnet.org/college-fairs/PVA-College-Fairs/Pages/default.aspx –  Local: Aldrich Museum, (CT): http://www.aldrichart.org/education/adult.php

•  Specialized enrichment programs:

–  Extracurricular (summer): http://www.skidmore.edu/summerstudioart/ –  Year-Round (local): http://silvermineart.org/education/

•  Publications: http://www.amazon.com/College-Guide-Visual-Majors-Petersons/dp/B00D9TNYBQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375276178&sr=8-1&keywords=college+guide+for+visual+arts+majors

•  Websites:

–  AICAD: http://www.aicad.org/ –  NASAD: http://nasad.arts-accredit.org/ –  CAA: http://www.collegeart.org/ –  DI: http://www.di.net/

Questions? Comments?

Thanks for participating!