There are many reasons why people choose to study art. Some people will tell you they do it out of a passion for understanding or representing the world.
Others are big fans of the media and technique necessary to produce a piece of art. Others love history and society and how art plays a role in both. And truth be told, all of these reasons are as valid as the next one.
Then again, everyone seems to think they have some artistic talent or inclination but taking this urge into a formal education setting like an art school is what will really set you apart.
But, is it really worth it? Keep reading to find out.
Art Programs and their Differences
What is art? If you look for a standard definition you might encounter something like the following:
'Art, also called (to distinguish it from other art forms) visual art, a visual object or experience consciously created through an expression of skill or imagination. The term art encompasses diverse media such as painting, sculpture, printmaking, drawing, decorative arts, photography, and installation.'
That said, art is an extremely broad subject that has seen itself broken down in three categories with the passing of time: visual arts, performing arts and literary arts.
There is a lot of interdisciplinary work between these three branches. For example, some performance arts like theatre are also visual arts.
On the other hand, people also talk about the definition of fine arts, which is typically something that requires a fine skill and has the purpose of creating beautiful objects.
Still, these overall definitions are still quite broad, and the natural evolution of the arts has also made defining it as a whole way more complicated. This is why it is easier to break it down by subjects of study.
Some well-known subjects that can be seen in the curricula are:
- Painting
- Sculpture
- Theatre
- Design
- Drawing
- Architecture
- Digital media
No matter the subject or medium that you choose for your art studies, if you focus on finding the right place to learn all the skills necessary for your career, we can assure you you won't regret going to art school.
For example, if you are passionate about architecture, you should look for a university that specialises in BFAs and MFAs in this particular subject.
If you want to study graphic design, you should look for the best graphic design school.
Film
A good example of this is film. A lot of young people and students of all ages who want to be in the film industry often look for more than a general university: they look for a film school. This is because studying film involves certain technical aspects that you cannot and will not learn in a regular college. That said, within the subject of film and inside the different degree options in film school you can find others like
- Animation
- Production
- Photography
- Editing
- Art Direction
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Art History
Would you like to have a career as an art curator? Do you dream of working in a museum or a gallery? Then Art History might just be the subject for you.
Art History has the best of both worlds: knowledge of the visual art, fine arts and performing arts world while also having a social and historical view of things.
Another good thing about these programs is that you don't need to go to a super specific university to study it since a lot of institutions offer it. The only thing you will have to decide is what period and context of art you are going to study and take it from there.
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Art Careers After You Graduate
One of the biggest fears of young students is the type of future opportunities they will have in the professional world. Truth be told, art majors can definitely struggle to find a well-paying job but this doesn't mean that all is lost.
There are plenty of great art careers out there. Some of the career opportunities that will be available to you if you choose to study an art program could be the following:
Arts Administration
Would you like to run an art centre? Maybe become a curator for a museum or become an art dealer selling artwork at auctions of galleries?
The side of arts administration is one of the most rewarding art careers since it allows you to be in close contact with the artists while also doing project management, sales and marketing.
Exhibition Work
Exhibition is what every artist aspires to do with their pieces. If you have artwork that you are hoping to show the world and eventually sell, you can start by looking into local galleries and exhibition spots.
Truth is, institutions know about this grind, so this is why many art programs and art colleges do a good job of preparing their students for this type of work because it requires a constant output of artwork from its students.
That said, some artists find it hard to support themselves with only exhibitions so you might have to get a bit creative when it comes to having a stable income.
Academia
Another great option, and one that many artists go for, is entering the world of academia or teaching. You can do it at any level, be it primary or even university.
If you are passionate about sharing your craft and want to share your knowledge with more people, this could be a great way to complement your art career.
Another pro is that the institution might let you use their materials and art facilities to create your own pieces in your free time!
Art Schools in Australia and the World
Are you convinced and ready to start looking for an art school? There are many things you should take into consideration before choosing the right art program for you.
From the cost of the program to the quality of the university, the alumni, curricula and job opportunities, these are all things you should take into consideration when choosing a university to complete your studies.
Some of these programs might spark your interest and could be a good start if you want to study art in Australia or in other countries. Here are some of the universities in Australia that offer specialised degrees:
Film Education
- Australian Film, Television and Radio School.
- Charles Sturt University.
- The International Film School Sydney.
- SAE Institute Sydney Campus.
- SAE Institute Byron Bay Campus.
- Sydney Film School.
- Bond University.
- Griffith University - Griffith Film School.
Architecture
- University of Melbourne
- University of Sydney
- The University of South Wales
- RMIT University
- Griffith University
- Curtin University
Universities in Asia
- University of Tokyo
- National University of Singapore (NUS)
- Peking University
- Kyoto University
- University of Hong Kong
North American Universities
- Rhode Island School of Design, United States
- Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico
- School of the Art Institute of Chicago
- Parsons School of Design
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Build Your Portfolio and Find A Private Tutor
If you have found one or many art schools that fit the profile that you are looking for, it is time to take the next step: preparing your portfolio for your application.
What is a portfolio? A portfolio is a collection of your pieces, which shows how your skills and ideas have developed over a period of time. It demonstrates your creativity, personality, abilities and commitment, and helps them to evaluate your potential.
Producing an art portfolio is not to be taken lightly since most of the top art institutions often accept very small percentages of applicants. This is why understanding how to produce a great portfolio is crucial to make sure you are accepted into the program of your dreams.
The main steps you should take in order to get your portfolio in top shape are:
- Research carefully and record the art portfolio requirements for a number of courses that interest you
- Look at recent student art portfolio examples to gain a visual understanding of what is expected
- Attend Open Days in the University of your choice
- Plan your art portfolio, aiming to demonstrate a range of artistic skills and experiences, creative ideas/originality and passion/commitment
Some people who can help you create your portfolio and give you feedback are:
- Your art teachers
- Your art peers
- Professionals in the world of art
- Alumni from the university you want to apply to
- A private tutor
A good aid to building any portfolio is to reach out to a private tutor with experience in the world of the arts. A lot of our private tutors can help you not only perfect your skills and create a better body of work but also make sure that your skills are showcased when creating your application.
You can check out the different profiles of private tutors on our website and connect with the ones who have the background and experience you need in order to succeed in your art career!
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