<p>I am curious about MICA illustration, particularly the curriculum. I am very interested in painting as well, so I was hoping that the curriculum involved a lot of painting. When I was reading about the curriculum and going through the course catalogue, it didn't seem that painting has too much involvement in the program. Does anyone know if this is true or if I'm totally wrong? If it is true, is there a lot of flexibility to take a lot of painting electives? I'm starting to consider entering into the painting department and doing all illustration electives (and of course and illustration concentration) but I am wondering if that is the best idea... Part of me think if I want to be an illustrator just go into illustration and figure something out, and if I want to be a painter than go into the painting department... I just don't know though. I have always heard that MICA is very flexible with allowing you to take electives in other departments but I feel like it's not the case here... I know that that connection with the chair could be a really great opportunity and that MICA's painting department is really amazing, but I don't want to veer too far off from my plan!</p>
<p>My D2 is currently a junior at MICA and started out as a painting major. She was given advanced placement in painting and drawing but I think without that, that she would have had to do painting for both freshman semesters in the foundation program. Either that, or she just started painting at a higher level.</p>
<p>In any case, she switched majors sophomore year, somewhat because she wanted more fiber classes and it got her preference to have that as her major. She stuck with fiber and is happy there but has had the option to take more painting if she wanted to. It might be a bit tricky, but you could switch majors, and even switch back again, to help you get into certain classes. If you are truly drawn to both disciplines, you can major in one and have a concentration in the other. </p>
<p>If you have enough money, you can take classes over the summer too. I thought MICA was expensive at first over the summer, but compared to other schools they are a bargain. $520/credit at MICA, $725/credit at JHU, $920/credit at Catholic U in DC! There’s also the Shuler school nearby, which is a traditional atelier that teaches representative painting and drawing techniques.</p>
<p>Wow I just read my post (I posted it when I got home from my last final of the week) and it hardly makes any sense! My apologies I was SO braindead! </p>
<p>Basically, I was accepted as a transfer student to Illustration. The chair of the painting department is very close friends with my current painting teacher and offered me a place in the painting department along with the flexibility to take as many illustration classes as I can with my available electives and assuming my painting requirements for the degree. I meant to say that this connection is very valuable and I am wondering if I should consider going into that department instead, even though I want to be an illustrator… I feel like it doesn’t make sense to do that, but I am scared that I won’t get any painting! I don’t know that I want painting to necessarily be my main focus, which is why I still feel a little bit iffy about switching into the painting department, but the chair of the department is making me good offers and I am wondering if I would be more successful having that kind of support… But I’m just not sure. I’m meeting with him next week to talk about my options and he is going to introduce me to faculty and let me sit in on the senior painting crits (I think) at the studio center, which is pretty cool. Maybe I will get a stronger sense of what to do after that day.</p>
<p>It’s great that you’re getting to meet with him and sit in on classes and crits. Make sure you check out the illustration department while you’re there and ask about double majoring or major/minoring or whatever other flexibility you may need. </p>
<p>Also ask how much of the foundation year you’ll have to do or how much you can place out of, etc., and what you’re coming in with that you’ll get credit for.</p>
<p>Good luck to you!</p>
<p>I just wanted to pop back in on my question with the upadated info in case another person ever has the same question!</p>
<p>Well, I went to MICA about a week ago now, and I was able to spend a lot of quality time with teh chair of the painting department (he is fantastic, a very nice man). He gave me a ton of information, and introduced me to a lot of junior and senior students and their studios/work. It was really awesome. I was SO impressed with the painting department. I know that my question was about curriculum, but I just wanted to mention first that the students were great. They were very welcoming and willing to answer questions very in-depthly. I was also able to see the illustration department and speak with some students and faculty. Overall, both majors concurred that they can be flexible. The chair of illustration agreed with this as well and gave me great advice. He said that I should choose the major depending on how I want to work in my career: self initiated (painting) or problem-solving/directed (illustration; working with a client). This made it much clearer for me. I originally was accepted as an illustration major, but was offered a spot in painting as well. In the end I am going to go with illustration, because that is ideally what I want to be able to have a career in. I plan to get my MFA in painting and continue that after getting my BFA and will also take as many painting electives as possible at MICA!</p>
<p>So bottom line: MICA is very flexible and willing to work with you!</p>