"I WANT to go to art school..."
For some parents, this is the most terrifying thing they will ever hear their child say. The term "starving artist" doesn't really exist in the modern world we live in. In fact, most students who go to college for visual arts don't become a studio artist, but take jobs at businesses that crave creativity. According to an article written by Dan Berrett of Inside Higher Ed, 92% of visual arts graduates who want to work, have a job in the arts. See the article HERE. This page is filled with resources that will assist a student in making the decision to go to college for art. If you have any additional questions, please contact Mr. Hanson by clicking "CONTACT" in the menu at the top of the webpage.
WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH AN ART DEGREE?
Accessory Designer
Advertising Director Aerial Photographer Airbrush Artist Antique Specialist Appliqué Artist Archaeologist Architect Architectural Graphic Artist Architectural Writer/Critic Architecture Teacher Art Activity Writer Art Appraiser Art Book Editor Art Consultant Art Coordinator Art Critic Art Dealer Art Director Art Distributor Art Historian Art Insurance Agent Art Librarian Art Magazine Editor Art Researcher Art Restorer Art Specialist Art Supervisor Art Teacher Art Teacher Assistant Art Therapist Artist in Residence Artists' Agent Audio/Visual Designer Automobile Designer Background Artist (TV) Biomedical Illustrator Block Engraver Book Jacket Designer Bookbinder Botanical Designer Calendar Editor Calligrapher Camera Operator Candle Maker Caricaturist Cartographer (mapmaker) Cartoonist Ceramicist Children's Book Illustrator Cinematographer Comic Strip Artist |
Commercial Photographer
Computer Graphic Artist Conceptual Artist Copywriter Corporate Art Collector Corporation Photographer Costume Designer Court Artist Craftsperson Curator Curriculum Writer (Art) Design Consultant Designer Drafter Editorial Art Director Editorial Illustrator Enamellist Environmental Artist Environmental Designer Environmental Planner Equipment Designer Exhibition Coordinator Fabric Designer Fashion Art Director Fashion Consultant Fashion Display Director Fashion Editor/Writer Fashion Illustrator Fashion Merchandiser Fashion Photographer Faux Finish Specialist Film Animator Film Developer Film Editor Filmmaker Fine Art Photographer Fine Artist Floor Covering Designer Floral Designer Forensic Artist Foundry Worker Furniture Designer Gallery Assistant Gallery Director Gallery Owner Gallery Photographer Gem Cutter Glass Blower Goldsmith Graphic Arts Technician Greeting Card Designer Hair Stylist Designer |
Heavy Equipment Designer
Illustrator Industrial Designer Interior Decorator Interior Designer Jewelry Maker/Designer Landscape Designer Law Enforcement Photographer Lawyer with Art Specialty Leatherworker Legal Photographer Lighting Designer Lithographer Lithographic Photographer Magazine Art Director Magazine Photographer Makeup Artist Art Materials Manufacturer Manuscript Illuminator Marine Architect Master Printer Medical Illustrator Metalsmith Model Builder Mold Maker Movie Art Director Movie Scene Painter Mural Artist Museum Curator Museum Director Museum Photographer Museum Photographer Musical Instrument Maker Ornamental Metalwork Designer Painter Papermaker Parade Float Designer Pattern Designer Photo Researcher Photo Re-Toucher Photo Stylist Photofinisher Specialist Photographer Photographic Engineer Photography Teacher Picture Framer Photojournalist Playground Designer Police/Court Artist Portrait Painter |
Poster Artist
Potter Press Photographer Printmaker Private Art Instructor Product Designer Product Illustrator Product Photographer Promotion Designer Puppet Designers Puppeteer Quick Sketch Artist Retail Store Art Director Rug Maker Scenic Artist School Photographer Science Fiction Illustrator Sculptor Set Construction Worker Showroom Manager Sign Painter Silk Screen Artist Silversmith Sketch Artist Space Planner Special Effects Artists Sports Clothing Designer Sports Equipment Designer Stage Design Stained Glass Maker Stencil Illustrator Storyboard Illustrator Tapestry Worker Tattoo Artist Technical Illustrator Television Art Director Television Graphic Artist Text Book Illustrator Textile Artist Theatre Set Designer Theme Park Designer Tool Designer Toy Designer Typographer Video Artist Wall Covering Designer Transportation Designer Wardrobe Staff Web Site Designer Window Display Designer Wood Crafter Workshop Coordinator |
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Visit www.theartcareerproject.com.
This website breaks down every career available in the arts, as well as providing tips on getting the job you want. |
APPLYING TO ART SCHOOL...YOUR PORTFOLIO
If you are interested in art school, even minimally, plan on attending a National Portfolio Day.
www.nationalportfolioday.org
National Portfolio Day is an event specifically for visual artists and designers. It is an opportunity for those who wish to pursue an education in the visual and related arts to meet with representatives from colleges accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. Representatives will be available to review your artwork, discuss their programs and answer questions about professional careers in art. High school students, parents, teachers, guidance counselors and college transfer students are encouraged to attend.
What is a Portfolio?
Creating Your Portfolio
Source: artsbridge.com
What are college admissions representatives and officers looking for in an art portfolio? A portfolio is a collection of your best artwork that highlights your experience, showcases your ideas and skills, and demonstrates your ability and potential as an artist. Your portfolio should include a representative series of images that portrays your interests as well as experience with a variety of media, styles, and approaches. Getting into a reputable art school is competitive. The consultants at ArtsBridge have some very specific advice to offer.
1. Do your homework.
Learn the specific requirements or exercises that each school to which you are applying may require. Many art schools provide definitive parameters for the work that needs to be submitted. The guidelines vary between courses and schools.
2. Create art from life.
One of the biggest skills that many schools look for is observational drawing or painting from still life, figure models, or landscape. This is the case whether you are applying for fine arts, design, or animation. Reviewers can tell if drawings are created from photographs. They want to see that you can translate 3D concepts into a 2D space while keeping the correct proportions and perspective.
3. Include personal work.
Complete your portfolio with work that speaks to your personal experiences or draws from your background. Consider including experimental work or pieces that showcase your personal interest in a particular subject or medium.
4. Explore ideas and originality.
Don’t play it too safe. While it’s important to demonstrate good technical skills (anatomy, color, lighting, etc), it is equally important to make sure that your portfolio stands out with work that reflects thoughts and concepts. There are thousands of aspiring artists applying to art school each year, so make sure your best work includes out-of-the-box thinking.
5. Keep a sketchbook.
You’ll want to show your process work – how you developed your ideas and how your work has matured. Some art schools will require that you submit your sketchbook along with your portfolio to give further insight.
6. Photograph your work in its best light.
Use outdoor or natural light to photograph your portfolio pieces. When shooting 3-D artwork, use a 3-point light system: one overhead light, and two spotlights set at 45º angles to the piece.
7. Digitize all artwork.
For most schools you’ll need to upload your portfolio or send digital attachments rather than hard copies. Work should be saved with sufficient pixels so the reviewer can enlarge without pixilation. Use RGB color mode, and save in JPG or PDF formats. Always archive a high-resolution image for your records, and create an image inventory of your work that includes title (if any), medium, date, and size.
8. Be very selective.
A portfolio submitted for admission should consist of 10-20 digital images of your best and most recent work. Be sure that each piece showcases your talent, conveys your ambition, and represents your finest capabilities. It is better to have 10 really strong pieces than 15 or 20 that aren’t your absolute best. Organize the portfolio to create a flow for your audience considering the program to which you are applying.
9. Practice discussing your work.
For your art school interview, preparation is important, so arrange for a mock interview with a teacher or another authority figure. Select a couple of pieces, and get comfortable talking about your work and what it means to you. Think about when and why you created the work, what the work is about, and the media you used. Share what you like about the pieces and why.
10. Have your work reviewed by professionals.
It can help tremendously to get the opinions of college admission representatives before applying to schools. You can do this by attending a National Portfolio Day event where many art schools will have admissions officers there to review your work and provide feedback. Representatives offer guidance in the presentation of your portfolio, and offer information about programs of study, admission requirements, scholarships, and financial aid. If your portfolio is further along, it may even be an opportunity to have it approved for admission at the event! For additional information, including event schedules, visit www.portfolioday.net.
www.nationalportfolioday.org
National Portfolio Day is an event specifically for visual artists and designers. It is an opportunity for those who wish to pursue an education in the visual and related arts to meet with representatives from colleges accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. Representatives will be available to review your artwork, discuss their programs and answer questions about professional careers in art. High school students, parents, teachers, guidance counselors and college transfer students are encouraged to attend.
What is a Portfolio?
- Your portfolio can include finished pieces, work in progress, and sketchbooks.
- Bring your original artwork whenever possible.
- Most colleges recommend that you do not spend time and money matting or framing your work. Keep your presentation simple; the work itself is what is of interest.
- If you have digital work, make sure you bring a device to display it, as some portfolio viewers may not provide that option.
- When applying to certain colleges, you will need to mail or bring your portfolio to the school during the application process. Depending on the institution, they will provide you with specific instructions on what they are looking for.
Creating Your Portfolio
Source: artsbridge.com
What are college admissions representatives and officers looking for in an art portfolio? A portfolio is a collection of your best artwork that highlights your experience, showcases your ideas and skills, and demonstrates your ability and potential as an artist. Your portfolio should include a representative series of images that portrays your interests as well as experience with a variety of media, styles, and approaches. Getting into a reputable art school is competitive. The consultants at ArtsBridge have some very specific advice to offer.
1. Do your homework.
Learn the specific requirements or exercises that each school to which you are applying may require. Many art schools provide definitive parameters for the work that needs to be submitted. The guidelines vary between courses and schools.
2. Create art from life.
One of the biggest skills that many schools look for is observational drawing or painting from still life, figure models, or landscape. This is the case whether you are applying for fine arts, design, or animation. Reviewers can tell if drawings are created from photographs. They want to see that you can translate 3D concepts into a 2D space while keeping the correct proportions and perspective.
3. Include personal work.
Complete your portfolio with work that speaks to your personal experiences or draws from your background. Consider including experimental work or pieces that showcase your personal interest in a particular subject or medium.
4. Explore ideas and originality.
Don’t play it too safe. While it’s important to demonstrate good technical skills (anatomy, color, lighting, etc), it is equally important to make sure that your portfolio stands out with work that reflects thoughts and concepts. There are thousands of aspiring artists applying to art school each year, so make sure your best work includes out-of-the-box thinking.
5. Keep a sketchbook.
You’ll want to show your process work – how you developed your ideas and how your work has matured. Some art schools will require that you submit your sketchbook along with your portfolio to give further insight.
6. Photograph your work in its best light.
Use outdoor or natural light to photograph your portfolio pieces. When shooting 3-D artwork, use a 3-point light system: one overhead light, and two spotlights set at 45º angles to the piece.
7. Digitize all artwork.
For most schools you’ll need to upload your portfolio or send digital attachments rather than hard copies. Work should be saved with sufficient pixels so the reviewer can enlarge without pixilation. Use RGB color mode, and save in JPG or PDF formats. Always archive a high-resolution image for your records, and create an image inventory of your work that includes title (if any), medium, date, and size.
8. Be very selective.
A portfolio submitted for admission should consist of 10-20 digital images of your best and most recent work. Be sure that each piece showcases your talent, conveys your ambition, and represents your finest capabilities. It is better to have 10 really strong pieces than 15 or 20 that aren’t your absolute best. Organize the portfolio to create a flow for your audience considering the program to which you are applying.
9. Practice discussing your work.
For your art school interview, preparation is important, so arrange for a mock interview with a teacher or another authority figure. Select a couple of pieces, and get comfortable talking about your work and what it means to you. Think about when and why you created the work, what the work is about, and the media you used. Share what you like about the pieces and why.
10. Have your work reviewed by professionals.
It can help tremendously to get the opinions of college admission representatives before applying to schools. You can do this by attending a National Portfolio Day event where many art schools will have admissions officers there to review your work and provide feedback. Representatives offer guidance in the presentation of your portfolio, and offer information about programs of study, admission requirements, scholarships, and financial aid. If your portfolio is further along, it may even be an opportunity to have it approved for admission at the event! For additional information, including event schedules, visit www.portfolioday.net.
Applying For Scholarships
Most scholarships will come from the FAFSA and offers you will receive from schools after submitting your portfolio during the application process. If your portfolio is strong, institutions will offer more assistance because they want the best artists in their programs. It is common to see students with great portfolios receiving up to $16,000 a year on average at private institutions. In fact, one of Mr. Hanson's former students earned $32,000 in renewable scholarships to a design college in Minnesota simply based on their portfolio.
Finding Art Scholarships
The links below contain great resources in regards to scholarships in the arts.
Finding Art Scholarships
The links below contain great resources in regards to scholarships in the arts.
Where do I go to Art SChool?
Click on each institution to view information on their visual arts programs, majors, and minors.
Art School Database: www.theartcareerproject.com/art-schools/
Art School Database: www.theartcareerproject.com/art-schools/
Top Art Schools In America
Pratt Institute - Brooklyn, NY
Columbia University - New York, NY MCAD - Minneapolis, MN Otis - Los Angeles, CA |