<p>My daughter is a talented artist, and expects to make it her profession - but is wise enough to know that she wants a "full-service" four-year college education, with science/p.e./languages etc. as well as art courses. So she is specifically NOT looking for an art school or institute for college.</p>
<p>She's looking for programs in illustration, drawing, commercial art, etc. - although even if a school isn't primarily known for those areas, if they're willing to work with the student, it might work for her. A general degree in Studio Art or Art could also work. </p>
<p>She has a strong preference for a college in a rural or small-town setting somewhere in the western U.S. - northern CA, OR, or WA; possibly UT/CO. </p>
<p>Money is definitely an object, but we'll worry about that later. Right now we're just trying to identify likely candidates. Most counselors and arts people she's contacted try to steer her toward art insititutes and the like, which are much more limited in their offerings than she would prefer.</p>
<p>So far the best candidate seems to be CSU Humboldt, but there MUST be others out there. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>Check out the Art Dept. at Utah State. It seems to have a fair number of course offerings in illustration. I don’t know much about the overall academics at Utah State, but certainly there are a number of other schools in your region that probably are better academically. Lots of these will have a studio art major with a track in drawing or drawing/painting, but probably not too much in illustration or commercial art. So, if the overall academics are equally important, check out some other studio are programs, too. If Utah State is of interest, I’d recommend talking to the department to see if the requirements allow the flexibility and focus that your daughter might desire in her major.</p>
<p>catic, I can only offer options on the other side of the country. All of these are small liberal arts colleges with good studio art departments and good to excellent academics. Most are rural or small town. The focus at most is on traditional studio art – painting, drawing, sculpture, photography. Courses in new media or commercial art would be available but extremely limited.</p>
<p>They all offer good need based aid, but not so much merit based aid.</p>
<p>My daughter was in the same boat. She also wanted a large university so that she could get the “full college experience”. She ended up at the University of Oregon and is very happy there. Eugene is very supportive of the arts and the university offers a wide range of art courses. She is able to take courses in many different disciplines for her major which appealed to her ( she didn’t want to limit herself to ceramics or painting or sculpture). She also liked the set-up of the facilities…they have their own little area near the river. It was a good choice for her and worth a look. Top students can qualify for some merit aid which helps.</p>