Visual Arts Schools

Last Updated: January 30, 2023, by TACP Staff

Andy Warhol, Yayoi Kusama, Damien Hirst, and Jean-Michel Basquiat all have something in common… they are all visual artists and rank among the most influential modern and contemporary artists of all time. So, what exactly is visual art?

Visual art is “art that is created to be seen.” It is usually created to provoke an emotional or intellectual response or to be appreciated by the viewer. The field of visual arts is vast and includes disciplines such as painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, printmaking, photography, and other types of studio art. Visual art can also be created using other means such as computer graphics, film, and video, and it may include aspects of the applied arts such as graphic design, animation, fashion design, and industrial design.

What Is a School of Visual Arts?

Visual arts schools are typically private art colleges or academic departments within a college of art that offer undergraduate and graduate degree programs in various disciplines such as painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, photography, printmaking, architecture, etc.

Visual art school provides an intensive series of art history, fine art, studio art, and general education courses that prepare students for professional work in fine or commercial art, art education, and related fields such as advertising or design. Artists preparing for fine arts or studio arts work often attend a visual art school to refine their skills and knowledge in their chosen medium.

What Will You Learn in Visual Arts School?

Education in the visual arts is an excellent way for artists to nurture their creative abilities, engage and develop knowledge of art theory, explore a range of media, and learn, with growing sophistication, to communicate their ideas through visual art. Throughout their studies, visual arts students will explore the work of historical and contemporary artists, make and respond to artwork, participate in critiques, and learn to reflect critically on their work.

Learning in visual arts involves classroom courses in art history, theory, criticism, the fundamentals of various media, and intensive studio practice in which students hone their skills and knowledge in their chosen medium. As students progress in their studies, they will develop a more individual approach and style and get an inside look at what it’s like to be a professional artist.

Visual Art Disciplines

Visual arts curriculum is designed to provide students with a well-rounded art education and allow them to explore various disciplines within the visual arts. The objective is for students to develop a strong understanding of historical precedents and traditions before moving on to more specialized and in-depth coursework in their chosen media.

The following are some of the most popular disciplines in visual arts:

Painting

Painting is one of the oldest and most important forms of visual art. Traditional painting involves the application of paints and related color substances to a surface, usually a canvas or wall, with the use of brushes or other implements. A painting major will receive instruction in color theory, color mixing, composition, surface preparation, painting techniques, oil and acrylics, watercolor media, and conceptual art.

Drawing

Drawing is the process of making images by marking paper, canvas, or other surfaces with various implements such as graphite pencils, charcoal, ink, and pastels. Learning to draw means learning to creatively and technically represent what the artist sees and feels. Instruction in observational drawing, figure drawing, still lives, landscape drawing, and portraiture is a cornerstone of a drawing major’s curriculum.

Ceramics

Ceramics incorporates various materials such as clay, glaze, and paint to create a wide range of three-dimensional objects, including figurative and abstract sculptures, functional vessels, and industrial and architectural tiles. Ceramics students learn to develop an intensive studio practice and create works using many different techniques, materials, and perspectives.

Printmaking

The artistic process of printmaking is based on the principle of transferring images from one surface to another using the application of controlled pressure. The most common printmaking techniques are woodcut, engraving, lithography, etching, and screen printing. Printmaking students learn traditional and modern techniques and create prints that explore a wide range of content and styles.

Sculpture

Sculpture is the three-dimensional creation of forms using a variety of materials. Sculpture majors learn to think in terms of space and form, how to use different tools and materials, and how to conceive and realize ideas. Instruction may include traditional media such as wood, metal, and stone and more contemporary materials such as plastics, foam, and fiberglass.

Photography

Like other forms of fine art, a photographer’s artwork is created to reveal the artist’s vision and aims to express a message, creative idea, or emotion unique to the artist. Capturing what appears in front of the camera lens at a precise moment in time is just one aspect of photography. Photography students learn to use light and composition to create evocative images, understand the technical aspects of the medium, and develop a personal visual style.

Digital Art

Art is no longer limited to traditional mediums in the technology-driven world we live in. Digital art is an ever-growing and necessary form of visual expression that uses digital technologies to create works of art. These can be anything from computer-generated images and animations to videos, 3D models, and interactive installations. Digital art students learn to use various graphic design software and tools to create their artwork and experiment with new ways to unlock their creative potential.

How to Choose a School of Visual Arts

Whether you are just starting to search for a visual arts program or are ready to make a final decision, it is important to find the right college that fits your creative and academic needs. When making your decision, there are many factors to consider, such as program offerings, faculty resources, location, size, cost, and more.

The following are some factors to research when making your decision:

School and Faculty Reputation

As you evaluate your college options, you must identify schools with a strong reputation in the arts. So, what does it mean for a school to have a strong visual arts program? It means the school has a dedicated faculty passionate about their craft, ample resources, and a community of students and alumni who support the arts.

A school’s reputation is a strong indicator of its quality, so it’s essential to research a school’s rankings, reviews from recent graduates and learn everything you can about the professors who will be teaching the classes you are interested in.

Quality of Facilities

In addition to a reputable faculty, it’s important to consider the quality of the facilities where you will be spending your time as an art student. The study of visual art is heavily studio-based, so it’s essential to have access to well-equipped classrooms, photo labs, studio spaces, etc.

Students pursuing a major in digital arts, for example, need access to top-of-the-line, industry-standard technology to create their work. If the equipment they use in school does not simulate the professional production environment they will encounter after graduation or is in poor condition; they may be at a disadvantage.

Community

Being part of a community of artists is vital for students seeking a creative outlet outside the classroom. A supportive environment can provide opportunities to exhibit your work, get feedback from your peers, and unlock creativity you didn’t know you had. Some schools have a very active arts community and student organizations that host gallery events, workshops, and other creative activities on campus. These schools are the ones you want to consider if you are looking for a well-rounded art education.

Search for schools with a vibrant art community and pay close attention to campus events that suggest there is a student culture that supports the arts. It would be best to choose a school full of like-minded classmates, professors, and friends who will create a close circle of encouragement and support. 

Graduate Success

Seeking out and researching a school’s graduation rate performance and alumni achievements can be a powerful indicator of a program’s quality. Most colleges and universities provide this information on their website, so it should be easy to find.

If a college or university consistently retains and graduates a high percentage of its student body, it will likely provide quality education. Similarly, if a school of visual arts has many notable alumni who are regularly recognized with awards and honors, the school is likely a great place to study.

Financial Aid Programs

One of the most stressful aspects of any college search is facing the reality of tuition costs. The price of a college degree has been increasing since the 1980s and does not seem to be slowing down. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t find affordable options or financial assistance to fund your education.

Almost all schools offer some form of student aid program, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs. The availability and amount of assistance a school offers can vary greatly, so it’s important to research this information before making a decision.

Study Abroad Opportunities

Studying art is not confined to the four walls of a classroom or studio. One of the best ways to learn is to experience new cultures and see how others work. Many schools offer study abroad opportunities in countries all over the world.

Studying art in a different setting can be an enriching experience that provides you with new perspectives and artistic influences. It can also be a great way to network with other artists and make connections that could lead to future opportunities. If a study abroad program is a priority for you, check if the schools you are considering offer this opportunity.

Best Visual Arts Schools in the U.S.

Each year, our experts create a list of the best colleges for visual arts in the United States. Our annual list is assembled after an exhaustive review of public and private data collected from hundreds of college programs and is respected as one of the most comprehensive resources of its kind.

The schools of visual arts that make our list have earned their ranking by producing exceptional scores in all eight areas of our ranking methodology: 1) Academic Program Strength, 2) Student Selectivity, 3) Faculty Reputation, 4) Financial Aid Programs, 5) Early Career Success, 6) Graduation Rate Performance, 7) Student Alumni Achievements, 8) Affordability/Value

1. Rhode Island School of Design

Address: 2 College St, Providence, RI 02903
Enrollment: 2,044 undergraduate students, 532 graduate students

2. California Institute of the Arts

Address: 24700 McBean Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355
Enrollment: 783 undergraduate students, 406 graduate students

3. School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Address: 36 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60603
Enrollment: 2,983 undergraduate students

4. Maryland Institute College of Art

Address: 1300 W Mt Royal Ave, Baltimore, MD 21217
Enrollment: 1,740 undergraduate students

5. Savannah College of Art and Design

Address: 516 Drayton St, Savannah, GA 31401
Enrollment: 11,992 undergraduate students

6. School of Visual Arts

Address: 209 E 23rd St, New York, NY 10010
Enrollment: 3,852 undergraduate students

7. VCUarts

Address: 66 5th Ave, New York, NY 10011
Enrollment: 3,089 undergraduate students, 102 graduate students

8. UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture

Address: 240 Charles E Young Dr. North, Los Angeles, CA 90095
Enrollment: 650 undergraduate students, 300 graduate students

9. Carnegie Mellon University School of Art

Address: 4919 Frew St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Enrollment: 200 undergraduate students, 18 graduate students

10. ArtCenter College of Design

Address: 1700 Lida St, Pasadena, CA 91103
Enrollment: 2,034 undergraduate students

Contributing Data Sources

To qualify for our ranking list, an institution must offer undergraduate and graduate programs in visual art with an emphasis on studio art. Additionally, each school must hold institutional accreditation from a regional accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or be recognized by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

School of Visual Arts – FAQ

According to our research, Rhode Island School of Design is the best school of visual arts in the U.S. for 2022. Its ranking factors include its strong academic programs, highly selective admissions process, impressive list of alumni achievements, and track record of alumni success early in their creative careers.

In typical visual art classes, you can expect to study various topics that will push your creative boundaries. Entry-level courses might cover the basics of art history, modern art, visual development, and design principles. Colleges frequently offer workshops and creative activities that explore traditional mediums or modern technologies so students can experiment and find their creative voices. Upper-level courses might delve into more specialized studio practice areas and research, allowing you to focus on a particular discipline or medium.

Tuition costs vary widely depending on the type of school you attend. The choice of a private or public university, for example, can make a significant difference in the cost. In-state and out-of-state tuition rates also vary, with out-of-state tuition often being more expensive.

According to U.S News & World Report and the Education Data Initiative, tuition growth has grown for over 20 years, outpacing both the rate of inflation and increases in family income. The average annual cost for tuition and campus fees at a private nonprofit four-year university is $1,092 per credit hour. The average cost for tuition and campus fees at a public four-year university is $879 per credit hour.

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