Like many rising juniors(what an odd term…), I have little idea as to what I will pursue in college. Amongst other things, I am considering some sort of art-related career. However, because I took orchestra during freshman and sophomore year, and because I will have a rather odd schedule next year, I will not get very far down the sequence of art classes. I plan to take Sculpture I next year because I couldn’t fit any Art(visual art) classes, and possibly Sculpture II and/or Digital Art senior year. Will colleges care? Or will they only want to see my portfolio?
More importantly, is it too late for me to start? I’ve never taken a class or seen a private teacher, and I kind of feel like 11th grade is too late to get up to art school level, especially considering having to maintain a 4.0 with harder classes, taking the ACT/SAT, and being more involved with time-consuming ECs like Debate and running.
You say “art-related”. Got anything in mind?
Can you take some community art classes this summer? If you’re serious about this, it’s important to get a lot of practice making art in preparation for putting together a portfolio.
If you aren’t interested in art enough to make time for it in your class schedule or to give up time from your other EC’s, are you really motivated in art? Art school kids are usually very focused on art. You don’t sound like you are.
In addition to art schools, there are colleges with art departments where you could major or minor in art while pursuing a broader education. Many liberal arts colleges won’t require a portfolio to apply. Or, if you do really want art school and don’t get in, some kids go to community college for a year to take more art classss to improve their portfolio and apply again.
Short story.
There are many avenues to “art-related” careers depending on your interests. Architecture, industrial design, art history, illustration, graphic design etc. Even computer science in game design etc.
An “art school” is usually looking for “traditional” art skills–can you draw, paint, sculpt, write? Yes, your portfolio is important if you want an “art school”. The students who typically major in art LOVE art–I see them doing it despite what else is happening around them. That IS their EC. The top art schools are art 24/7–you need to love it. That’s something only you can answer.
“I can’t draw but like art” or “I like science and art” or “art is all I do” or “I think I want art but haven’t done it yet” are all valid statements. They all lead different places. Yes, you can still be an artist and discover and build some great skills. Or there may be careers which combine a bit of both science and art.
@AroundHere
I’m looking into art classes over the summer, and I plan on learning art on my own as well.
I actually got a little mad at first when I read your second point, but really, you’re right. I would love to put art first, but it probably isn’t right for me. While art is definitely what I’m most passionate about, and if I had made better decisions early on, would definitely be my main extracurricular and elective class(and maybe at this point, a potential career choice), the fact of the matter is that I started taking it seriously far too late and I would be far better off pursuing a traditional career.
I meant getting skilled enough that colleges will accept me when I said ‘art school’. I wasn’t talking about just art schools. I have actually been considering minoring in art in addition to a more typical major, but that might be a waste of time/money.
You can certainly take art classes in college without majoring or even minoring – they may fulfill gen ed requirements, if your school has them.
It’s definitely not too late if you are serious. The fact that you’re not willing to give up a 4.0 in advanced classes, or debate, or running seems to say these things are more important to you than art.
As far as money goes, college art classss are a bit expensive due to the required supply list, but it isn’t much worse than taking an academic class and not being able to find a used textbook. As you build up a collection of materials and tools, you will be able to shop from your stash before hitting the art store.
@gouf78
I was thinking about architecture or design, maybe illustration. Definitely staying far away from conceptual art and that kind of stuff.
And yes, I definitely do ‘LOVE art’. Your description of art students fits me pretty well. I shouldn’t have said ‘art schools’ in my first post, though. I meant getting good enough to do art in college, not just actual art schools.
I think AroundHere was right, though. Majoring in art is probably not a good path for me to take. I’m interested in writing and history as well, and I should probably look into those more.
@AroundHere
Yeah, I guess they are. Thanks for replying, btw. This conversation has really helped me sort things out.
@gouf78 also
If it helps I experience both sides of the spectrum on this - I have two kids pursuing careers in art tackling it like many have explained above (lots of classes outside and inside of HS, portfolios etc). BUT on the other hand, I got a BS degree in something else and then later in life got a BFA in an art department of a small liberal arts college that did not require a portfolio for entry. I work in my field and teach part-time at my alum now. The school only just this year made portfolios an admission requirement. But you can still apply without one and build one up and as you apply for your major as a sophomore. I know this is also a common approach at some state schools with VERY good art departments.
So my point is, you haven’t lost your chance to enter this field. If you want to apply to traditional stand-alone ‘art’ schools you’ll have to get working on building a portfolio asap. But there are still plenty of art departments at private and public colleges where you can pursue a career in the arts if you do NOT have a portfolio to submit.
Also if it’s any motivation, one of my kids had a huge academic load junior year and generated most of what made it into her final portfolio during the fall of her senior year (she loaded up on as many art classes as possible senior year). It was a bit nuts and stressful, but she pulled it off.
You could look for a portfolio prep class in your area. They are great for creating pieces specifically for an admissions portfolio.