<p>I am a senior deciding between a couple of art schools strictly for fine arts (with some liberal arts considerations). I have done a bit of research here and there and read a couple of threads posted by people with similar situations. I have been accepted into MICA,SAIC,and Parsons. SAIC offered me 33,000 in merit scholarships. MICA has notified me that I am a scholarship finalist and I will find out in April (I heard they are very generous with money). Parsons offered me 8k only for next year though. Parsons is already out of question because I haven't heard many good things about its fine arts since its geared more towards design and fashion. I am still waiting for replies from RISD, SVA, and Pratt. I don't care much for RISD because the location repels me from it. I have heard many good things about MICA and SAIC for fine arts but am a little concerned about certain things. First of all Baltimore(MICA) is not really considered to have a big art market and as a fine artist I would really like to have opportunities to sell art, get apprenticeships with local artists, visit galleries, get exposure, etc. I haven't heard much about Chicago in these aspects so I am quite ignorant of this. I have been to New York before and have fallen in love with it. It's basically the art capital of the US so I know I wouldn't lack those mentioned things. BUT, I haven't heard much about the fine arts programs in the schools I applied to there. SVA is said to not be so good and Pratt is just completely obscure to me,at least the fine arts programs themselves. (though I have heard that the Brooklyn area is a experiencing a huge artists resurgence). I'm basically stuck between the fine arts program and the location and future possibilities. I want to be able to be integrated in the artistic world as soon as possible so I need a good location while still receiving good training.</p>
<p>are you an international? if not what is your background, where you grow up, what is your medium, what you mean by fine art?
it is rare, if ever undergrad art kids can be taken seriously at any “art scenes”
I am not talking about open street art gathering or coffeeshops galleries.
You seem to imply serious commercial recognition.
I know it happened say, in Japan when I was a student. the hype was ridiculous. we all dreamed, crashed or some rode it high then fell, never to hear from again.
It won’t work like that here. esp. NYC.
It does not really matter where you do UG. you should look for the best fit, not where it is located.
If you want to go see shows or just want to be around people and things “happening” big cities are better than little ones but you’d be too busy if you are serious student to do much anyway while doing UG.
have you ever try Cooper Union?
maybe the one and only UG institution could give what you are looking for.</p>
<p>I’d say of your choices MICA and SAIC are most geared towards Fine Arts. Even SVA I think of as geared towards graphic design and illustration more but someone else may weigh in, I’m going on very old info when it comes to SVA. Have you, or are you able, to visit the schools?</p>
<p>“are you an international? if not what is your background, where you grow up, what is your medium, what you mean by fine art?
it is rare, if ever undergrad art kids can be taken seriously at any “art scenes”” </p>
<p>No I am not international. I am from Dominican parents but have lived most of my life in Miami, Fl. I want to learn as many mediums as possible though right now my current favorite is graphite. This is my portfolio [Wix.com</a> portfolio created by eduardocrespo based on Artistic Choice](<a href=“http://www.wix.com/eduardocrespo/portfolio]Wix.com”>http://www.wix.com/eduardocrespo/portfolio) I do take it very serious and I acknowledge what you are saying about art students. I plan make my art far from the “pretty” ,“cool looking”, and “trendy” art that most people gravitate towards. For those reasons I believe I need an intellectual environment where intellectually rich art is supported and common.</p>
<p>“have you ever try Cooper Union?”</p>
<p>Yes I did. It’s the only one I didn’t get into. I have no formal art instruction in school and have been taught art by an immigrant who doesn’t know much about art institution in the US(except for SAIC which is internationally recognized, he is nevertheless a great artist). For this reason I didn’t have anyone to tell me what they were looking for in the hometest. I wasn’t too upset because I know I want pursued diverse interests which I know they aren’t too broad on.</p>
<p>Which schools did you visit? Baltimore is a great art town, and MICA is very up and coming.
I like your work, I see a story, and I think if you pick SVA you should be an illustration major. Did you visit? The SVA illustration department seems very strong. We visited last year, and if my son had gone there, he would have done illustration, rather than fine art, because the department seemed so much stronger. </p>
<p>Is the 33K from SAIC each year or for 4 years?</p>
<p>I agree with what you are saying about Parsons – not your strongest choice. Pratt is pretty traditional and is in a great area in Brooklyn and a subway ride to the city (about 20 minutes). A lot of classes end up going over to NYC to museums, etc., but the area in Brooklyn is going through a terrific resurgence and is very young. Chicago has a great art scene and is more flexible in terms of crossing over from one discipline to the next. SVA has great studio space for painting, drawing, illustrating – but not strong on liberal arts classes. MICA is a great place for fine arts, if you want to be in Baltimore (that’s not a dig against B – just a matter of taste and preference). If you didn’t like RISD’s locale, you probably won’t like MICA’s. Hope this helps.</p>
<p>“Which schools did you visit?”
None yet. I might visit MICA for an open house soon though</p>
<p>“Is the 33K from SAIC each year or for 4 years?”
For 4 years, not each.</p>
<p>“I think if you pick SVA you should be an illustration major”
I have been told that before but I really do not feel it is what I need to pursue my goals.</p>
<p>"Chicago has a great art scene and is more flexible in terms of crossing over from one discipline to the next. "</p>
<p>By art scene you mean that there are a large amount of successful practicing artists in the area and many galleries?</p>
<p>I’m in a simular situation. I got into SVA, SMFA, MICA, AIB, & SAIC. Waiting to hear from Parsons, Cooper Union, and Sarah Lawrence (my one non-arts school). But I think it is going to mostly come down to MICA, SMFA, and SAIC. Got a merit (too!) from SAIC (same amt). A friend of mine did precollege there, loved it, and is now going. But I didnt “vibe” with it when I went to an open house. The area was great, but it kind of rubbed me the wrong way, especially some of the faculty. But that just me. I really loved SVA, but they dont have alot of money so…might have to put that on hold until grad school or something. I haven’t seen SMFA. & well I’m from MD so MICA is kinda always around. The art sence in Baltimore isn’t huge, but it IS here and is really making an impact. & Artscape is HUGE, and thats a great opp. to get exposure. & theres this area were there used to be a bunch of abandoned mills that are now galleries & its pretty school. In my opinion its easier to get established here, and go somehwere else (if you want).</p>
<p>But anyway…I’m trying to decide too…ugh!</p>
<p>What do you plan on majoring in? Maybe that will help you decide…I’m planning on photo (which MICA isn’t known for, but I digress)</p>
<p>I think that you really need to visit the schools and talk to the faculty. MICA puts on quite a show. I would have been very happy if my S had ended up there.</p>