I've been looking at "The Art Institute of Indianapolis". They have schools all over the country, but I can't tell if they are actually a good school or if they're a joke in the art world.
2006-08-07 16:05:36 · 6 answers · asked by royluxomburg 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Drawing & Illustration
The Art Institute has been around at least for 40 years and is a perfectly respectable art school. They primarily focus on the commercial arts like the advertising and fashion industries. it really doesn't matter where you go for your art education, in the end, it comes down to how good you are. For entry level positions more and more companies are requiring a BFA so whatever you do, get a degree. You'll be glad you did.
If you really want a top art school to go to check out Parson's http://www.parsons.edu/ on the east coast or Art Center on the west coast http://www.artcenter.edu/ .
FYI, in the really long run you should get a Masters degree. When you 50 and totally burned out from doing a zillion logos and brochures, and billboards, you need to have an alternate career lined up. With a Masters degree, you will then be able to go teach at the university or trade school level.
If you really want some more insight to art as a career feel free to write me and I'll let you know all of your career options and the educational requirements.
2006-08-07 21:58:59 · answer #1 · answered by Don S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I looked into them myself. I am a non-traditional student, in other words older! :), and was looking at different options to be "quick" and use my time wisely, but I discovered that the best way would be to go the traditional route and get a good education even though it takes a few years.
I am a graphic arts major, not exactly fine arts, but similar. I do not think the Art Institute is a joke in the art world, but I just think you would get a better education and better experience from a traditional college. I do know my art teachers who have been in the art world for many years have said that getting your BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) goes a lot farther than getting a "quickie" BA or BS degree.
Something you could do would be to call local places where you would like to work and outright ask them if they would hire someone who had graduated from the Art Institute. I think it comes down to your skill and how confident you are in yourself when you go to get a job. Whether you get that skill at the Art Institute is something I can't answer definitively, but I hope I gave you something to think about. :) Good luck! I am 41 by the way and if I can do it, you can do it!! I just graduated from community college with an AA in Art and am transferring to a four-year college for my BFA. Go for it and have fun, you only live once.
2006-08-08 00:37:50 · answer #2 · answered by cre8ive1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think so. I was looking at the Art Institute of Washington, but after I found out that the whole school consisted of a small constrained building on a few floors, I back out, but maybe that's just that campus. Maybe the Indianapolis one is better. As far as, the actual Art class's quality. I don't really know. Sorry.
2006-08-09 11:54:50 · answer #3 · answered by Stoney 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It really depends on what options are available to you and what you want to get out of school. A lot of art type jobs these days want you to have a bachelor's or masters, it doesn't matter from where. if you don't have a great college near you for art programs, i would say going to the art institute would be better. they will help you put together a great portfolio which is more important than the degree.
2006-08-08 09:30:41 · answer #4 · answered by skiddishpixie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a couple of friends who teach at the local Art Institute. They may well provide legit educations. But as an artist, I don't see the advantange of a traditional course of study.
I like the idea of taking a variety of Community College courses that apply to your area of interest.
2006-08-08 04:12:00 · answer #5 · answered by San Diego Art Nut 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Something you might consider: If you're a 'serious' artist then a BA probably won't help you.
I would suggest you check out your local colleges and simply take the selected courses you want to take. Example: If you want to improve your painting techniques you'll learn much more from the hands-on teaching experience you'll receive from your local university. The same applies to photography or life drawing. Take the classes you want or need to improve your skills.
Most schools have 'open' classes you can sign up for.
2006-08-08 00:54:15 · answer #6 · answered by Doc Watson 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋