You’ve spent four years taking the standard core classes: English, science, math and history. But, there was one class you looked forward to every day — art. Whether it was ceramics or silk screening, painting or graphic design, you found your passion in creating works of art.
It makes sense that you would want to pursue your passion for the arts in college, but to many, the prospect of going to a school exclusively for art seems intimidating or unrealistic (or some may view it as the easy way out). Spoiler alert: it’s hard work. However, if you love art, why not spend the next four years surrounded by people who love it too and are going to inspire and challenge you to create your next masterpiece?
If you’re thinking about attending an art school, read below for 10 things you should know before you go.
1. Reaching out to schools that interest you give you an advantage in the application process
Visit the campus or attend a portfolio day event. Schools will give you feedback so you can find out what you’re doing well and what you can do to enhance your portfolio before applying. School visits and portfolio reviews will help you take the next step in your application process, but also give you name recognition when it comes time to actually evaluate your application for admission. Not to mention, visiting the school will give you the chance to talk to current students about why they chose this particular college, and you can check out the sort of work their creating.
2. Each school has a unique artistic environment
Just like any college, you want to find an environment that best fits your needs. Do you thrive in a more open or structured situation? Competitive or more relaxed? Do you want to be in a big city or a tight-knit college town? The atmosphere of the school you choose will seriously impact your development as an artist, so try visiting campus and talking to current students to see if you could see yourself being comfortable but also challenged by the environment.
3. Sleep will become nonexistent
Projects in art school are long term and intense, so you might find yourself slaving away in the studio into the wee hours of the night. You will be asked to create things that are dynamic, thought-provoking, and have something to say, which is a big task to undertake. Prepare to put in the hours, even if it means you might not be getting a solid 8 hours of sleep every night.
4. Art supplies are expensive
Sort through the old arts and crafts materials you have stored away and check with your parents, siblings and friends for any spare materials. In particular, sketchpads or notebooks will be useful across all disciplines for planning out your projects. The exact supplies you need will vary by your discipline. For example drawing classes usually require a kneaded eraser, pencils, and charcoal, while painting courses might require acrylics or water colors. Many schools will have art supplies stores on campus, but it can get expensive. Paints, brushes, pencils, erasers, even notebooks can all come in handy and save you some serious cash. Explore your school’s website for guidance or try to get in contact with your professors.
5. Be ready to talk about your work
Think about what your work means to you and why you created it. During a portfolio review, giving a vivid description and explanation of your work makes you sound more interested and committed than a simple, “the assignment was…” or “I don’t know.” You and your classmates are in this together to be challenged and improve your art – take criticism as a tool to help you succeed and give it out as a way to help those around you succeed, too.
6. A background exposure to art can be extremely useful
Check out museums whenever possible, get involved in your hometown’s artist community, read up on and study artists.
If you’re interested in photography, check out books of collections by famous photographers, like Ansel Adams or Annie Leibovitz. Often they’ll include personal commentary along with the photographs. Visit gallery openings for local painters and introduce yourself. They might have some helpful advice.
7. You can get a job after graduating
There are more jobs than you think. You can work on becoming a professional artist and continue to engage in your field of study, or you could enter the business world. In particular, art students cultivate analytical thinking, communication skills and a unique perspective from other applicants, which can make them great applicants for communications, public relations or marketing industries.
Art school teaches you to be a creative problem solver, work alone and collaboratively, critique constructively, research, communicate effectively and network extensively.
8. The stereotypes are ridiculous
Art school sometimes has a negative connotation associated with being unprofessional, but such stereotypes couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s challenging, multidisciplinary and will test you unlike any other college experience.
Your classroom will be filled with a variety of people with their own personal style, and that’s part of what makes art school appealing. You will witness firsthand people using a variety of mediums to convey innovative messages in their own unique way.
9. There will be times when you want to give up
Art school can be exhausting, and there may be times when you find yourself constantly comparing your talents to those of your classmates. You might spend hours and hours on a piece, only to realize it’s not what you wanted to create and decide to completely start over from scratch. There might be times when you are staring at a blank canvas or pile of clay and you have no idea what to do.
10. If you don’t love it, don’t do it
Art school is hard work and requires a big commitment of time and talent. Make sure you absolutely love it.
