My son wants to attend art school (but not fine arts). The subject, though, is up for grabs: graphic design, photography, interior architecture (maybe others). Are there any art schools that let you study two things at once? Programs with great faculty?
My wife, now a successful commercial photographer, attended an intense program which covered both graphic design and photography. Her career took her through design, into art/creative direction, and eventually into photography. It would have been tough to take that route without that program. The programs we see may give you a foundation year. But, after that, you are stuck in a major. Isn’t there anything like liberal arts for graphic communications?
All of those subjects are available at my local community college. Interior design is an applied arts bachelor degree, the others would be certificate or associate programs. You would have a lot of freedom at a community college to take classes outside your major specialty, but the transfer classes would be geared towards the first two years of study.
Thank you, AroundHere. That’s a wonderful suggestion. Our community college is supposed to have an exceptionally strong art program and could be a great way for him to sample. We will definitely explore that.
Still, I’m interested in other possible programs. I don’t think at 19 he should have to make a decision for the rest of his life. And I feel like it would be great for him to be out of the house and more independent.
Both of my kids have done community college dual enrollment: I found that being more independent at school, while still living at home, was a great transition to four-year school for my older one. (The younger one isn’t ready to apply to four-year school yet.)
I think you’re right that most art schools do have you specialize after the first “foundation” year. If you can find art schools that take community college transfers, he may be able to sample at CC for a year or two then jump into whatever track he decides at art school without losing too much time (and saving a chunk of tuition money!)
I’d check out MICA. From what I gather, they allow you to dabble in other areas and you’re not stuck taking your Majors courses. They also allow you to take courses at other Maryland schools. It’s 5am and still a bit sleepy but I’m trying to remember what we were told last week at the open house. There are school which will allow you to major in one and minor in another. Gl
I answered a similar questions on another thread so sorry if this is repeat info…
I think CCs are great and a super $ value, but be wary of the community college route if your student is definitely interested in the arts…talk more to the registrar/admissions people at potential colleges to find out how classes transfer. You may be able to transfer your art classes in for your freshman ‘foundation’ year. However, for basically any BFA, and especially at an art college, you can’t automatically transfer in as a junior since the track for that specific type of BFA starts during the sophomore year and those classes are then the pre-requisites for junior year etc.
I teach part time in an art department and most of the students who transfer in from community college must enter as sophomores to stay on track for their major. It’s often an unpleasant shock to them and their parents.
Also, some students have a love/hate with Foundation year but your situation is exactly why art schools do it - students need a chance to dabble in a lot of different types of art before locking into their major (usually starts sophomore year.)
We looked at MICA too and liked how they talked about how they wanted to give their students more flexibility since this is often how artists work in the real world and through their lives.
When my D decided she wanted to study art, the big decision for her was whether she’d attend an art school or a LAC with a great art program. After touring many art schools on the east and west coast and a handful of very solid programs at LAC’s, she decided to go to Temple (Tyler School of Art) which gave her the options she wanted.
She’s finishing her freshman year and just registered for her sophomore year fall classes. She is taking 2 graphic design classes, a sculpture class, and outside of art, an environmental class, and a philosophy class. She’d like to take a business class at some point to help her with her future career. She loves the choices a big school offers.
Regarding the CC degree and transferring for a BFA. It can be done, but my D has a friend who is a transfer student and is doubling up on classes to be able graduate on time. It’s tricky with a BFA so I’d suggest inquiring with the art schools your S might want to transfer too.
