What is art school really like?

Answer 1

A school for non-conformists. People here are wierd. And its small so not many students. Easy way to a BS

Answer 2

I found it kind of frustrating. The problem with art school is that the lecturers like to constantly try to define what art is. At my college this meant that a signed urinal was art yet a spiderman comic wasn't. As I am more of a graphic designer and illustrator by nature this made the whole thing kind of annoying. Instead of practising technique and gaining knowledge I was forced to try and think about how junk can be considered art and stick empty cans together. I guess it depends on the person but to me art is something beautiful and philosophy is something you think about. The two shouldn't be confused unless you want a pile of rubbish in your living room.

Answer 3

Personally, art school is a place for you to learn art... There will be mean, nice, creative, messy, and nothing people. Of course the school can be either messy or has a little bit of paint smothered somewhere. If you really want to join an art school, go ahead, it's not like someone is going to stop u.

Answer 4

It is what you make of it. I went back as a mature student and initially found it very hard going, because I was in a particular mindset and needed to reassess my thinking. But I wanted to do this, I wanted to extend my horizons - I already excelled in basic drawing and painting, I wanted to see other things, other viewpoints ... you can do this.

In art college, you can do pretty much whatever you like, as long as the stuff you do is consistent and you can provide a consistent commentary and stand over what you are doing, and show that it is getting you somewhere - or not. It's about developing aesthetic and cultural awareness. I have found that it makes me look at the world with new eyes.

In case you're wondering where I studied, I went to Limerick School of Art and Design, in Ireland.

Answer 5

don't do art school, what can a school teach you about your personal style. How do you create original artwork when you're submerged in form, fluidity, and lighting? Computer Graphic Art is the only reason to attend, all other styles should be self taught. And the Students are all clones, conforming to their "non-conformity". I'd have more respect for an art student if he/she came to school in pressed pants/skirt and buttoned down shirt/blouse, that would be non-conformist.

Answer 6

I went to 2 and was able to visit and study in a further 4, I went to the london institute- or University of the Arts London, as it is now known. The University is home to several colleges, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea, Camberwell, London College of Fashion and London School of Communications (formerly the london school of printing)

I went to Camberwell for a year to do my foundation course. I loved it and it remains my favorite college. The tutors are there to HELP and not to yell at you (unless you go using up all the supplies in the stockroom so theres none left for anyone else!!) The foundation course which is compulsary for all art degrees, was a real chance to try everything, and good for it too as when I began the course I was sure I was a sculpter, but it turns out I am a textile designer!!
The course is a laught- but like with anything, you get out what you put in, and if you dont put in enough then you'll have problems when it comes to applying to go to university to do a degree.
I dont know how other colleges work but ours really really helped us with choosing which course and uni was the best for each of us individually. It was like they'd done the note taking for us- they also knew from speaking to graduates who had been on the foundation course, what they were like. I think this was one area they took alot of effort in so that we could spend our time on our course work and preparing our portfolios.

On my degree, - I went to chelsea college of art and design, I found a similar feel to the place, everyone really genuinly wanted to work- we like any other students were up all night- but it was up all night working and designing- all of us, we were like a pack, we all loved what we were doing and were able to help each other. There was no bitchiness there and my entire year was female (few men choose to study textile design!) From my time there I was able to pick up a similar vibe and friendliness spread thoughout the year groups.

The tutors are there for you, but -and here comes the major down fall, lack of tuitoion funding ment we only go 20 mins design tuition and feed back per week, and one full days theory.Seems mad when the design componant was 70% and the theory componant was 30%.

The tutors definatly knew there stuff, but the minimal tuition we got- aside from the monthly updates and term introductions by the head of course, the tutors were not there alot.

Still, I guess it gives you a clear picture of the world outside uni where the rat-race doesnt really exist in the same was as it does for law when your an arts graduate! You do learn diciplin and learn how to produce work when given direction by you and your friends.

As I was studing within the London uni of the arts I was also able to visit any of the other colleges for free which included their shops and their unions. Good if your unions not so good.
We could also use their librarys- very very useful for the theory componant is a 2 story library full of dedicated art and design books.

Answer 7

My sister is an amazing artist but she dropped out because they told her to paint in styles that she did'nt want to specialise in. She is a fantasy artist and that was'nt allowed. She was never given the room to be expressive but i suppose that depends on the art school.

Answer 8

Boring

Answer 9

when I went, it was kind of cliquey - you had the really arty types that took their work seriously and considered themselves the elite, and the lighter, humerous students who were in it for the fun, it was kind of hard to fit in. It is messy, I always had paint, clay and goo on my hands and nails. It is competative and the tutors ranged from friendly, open and helpful to obsessive and downright weird!

Answer 10

It's really great. They have this cafeteria where you can hang out and meet girls - you get to play with paints and crayons - and no one ever takes a shower. Cooper Union 1969