The thought of giving up what you’re doing to attend art school fulltime is a dream many a part-time painter has, but is going to art school realistic? Will it really set you up as an artist or not?
Danny spoke for many of us when he told the Painting Forum: ”I am thinking of returning to university to study art and I wonder if anyone had any advice on what to look for in a course. I want to get a broader range of artistic skills but then specialise in painting, but I want to be guided in ideas as well as the technical side of how to paint.
"I think I'm a pretty good painter, but I want to know how I develop ideas into concepts that I can use in a one-themed exhibition. Can anyone recommend a particular type of course? Is it worth going back to university? Can I learn similar things doing short courses and training with professionals? I am 34 so going back is a big financial step and I would like to make sure I will benefit from it before I commit.”
Israel, who had just finished university with a major in Visual Studies, shared his experiences: “It's not just about the course. Most importantly it's the art school you are going to. Some art schools are more theoretic, and you can learn almost nothing of the technical aspects. But you may learn very well the process of developing an idea and putting it forth and receive critical critiques focused on the concepts.
"In this kind of institution your work is judged by the validity and originality of your concept, and how successful is the final product according to your concept. Usually there is little to none restraint in what you do. In this kind of art school you are more exposed to the experimental and push-the-envelope or artist-run galleries, forward and contemporary galleries and your contacts are mostly among them. Personally I think a private art teacher can teach you less in this aspect, because in this kind of art school you are exposed to all kinds of conceptual work, broad range.
"Some art schools are more technical, and I haven't been to one, but I think you can imagine one. Great fine artists (including fine illustrators; nowadays they seem to be the best craftsmen) with stronger traditional technical ability usually come from one of these art schools. Their work might be more likely seen in the commercial galleries. In this kind of art school you might be more geared towards a single direction, and if you want to study painting in a very specialized way, it should be a big plus. An excellent talented private teacher with extensive training and experience might be able to teach you some of it, but again, it's only an assumption.
"You might have to look real hard for a art school that is well balance between concepts and technical side. Research the professor's own work and the students work, and see if you like what they do. And try to audit if you can.
"You can become a great artist with strong self-discipline and good talent, but the best artists usually come from a formal art-school education. And again, this is generally speaking, there are always exceptions, and for those we should have great respect."
Writing in LA Weekly, Aaran Rose is of the opinion it may benefit your art is you don't go to art school. Rose says: "[An] education, particularly in art history and technique, can be valuable to a young artist, and studying with your heroes can be inspiring. What happens too often ... though, is that we find young artists simply emulating their instructors, rather than finding and honing their own aesthetics and points of view about the world, society, themselves.
"In the beginnings of an artist’s career, the power in his or her work should lie not in their technique or knowledge of art history or theory or business acumen, but in what one has to say. Artists might as well hang up their paintbrushes before they even begin if that voice isn’t in place. Ideas and a point of view are the backbones of the artistic process.
"... [contemporary art] is a necessity. It satisfies not only a visual need, but also an educational and, most importantly, a spiritual need for us. Art should teach us about how we relate to the world. It seems ironic, then, that the curriculum taught in most MFA programs addresses almost everything but fulfilling these needs."
What do you think about going to art school? Is full-time art school an invaluable experience or a waste of time (and money)? Add your thoughts to the Discussion on the Painting Forum.
