1. Time. Aspiring artists who choose to take the do-it-yourself approach to launching their artistic careers often struggle to find the time to create art because they may be waiting tables to pay the rent. As an art student, however, you’ll be able to devote the bulk of your energies to making art.
2. Access to equipment. Art schools typically have state-of-the art equipment that you’d be hard-pressed to get your hands on in any other way. Even if your medium doesn’t require a lot of equipment, art school is the perfect place to experiment with techniques that require more than paint and a paintbrush.
3. Studio space. Along with equipment, most art schools allow students lots of access to well designed studio space to help aid your process.
4. Expert instruction. Art school professors are ready and willing to put their years of experience behind guiding your work. Just a little help from even one mentor can save you from years of struggling to figure out who you are as an artist, where you want to go with your work, and how to get there.
5. Shortened learning curve. It can take years to gain enough knowledge just to understand what you need to learn when you’re on your own. Attending art school allows you to move quickly through a structured curriculum designed to provide you with a broad base of useful knowledge.
6. Built-in community. Even the most talented artist needs a peer group to keep him or her motivated and productive. At art school, you’ll have an easy time building the professional network that will serve you well throughout your career.
7. Exposure. Not only will your professors and classmates become intimately acquainted with your work, student shows will allow you to get your work seen by the public.
8. Networking opportunities. Many art schools host visiting artists and put on all sorts of extra-curricular events that will allow you to make contacts outside of your school circle.
9. Internships and other work. Professional artists and art-related organizations often turn to art schools first when looking for assistants. In addition, many art schools offer career counseling or career placement services to help you find employment in your field after graduation.
10. Business skills. Along with developing and honing your artistic abilities, most art schools will teach you the basics of how to run a small business, including how to make a budget, price your art, handle basic accounting tasks and market your work.
2. Access to equipment. Art schools typically have state-of-the art equipment that you’d be hard-pressed to get your hands on in any other way. Even if your medium doesn’t require a lot of equipment, art school is the perfect place to experiment with techniques that require more than paint and a paintbrush.
3. Studio space. Along with equipment, most art schools allow students lots of access to well designed studio space to help aid your process.
4. Expert instruction. Art school professors are ready and willing to put their years of experience behind guiding your work. Just a little help from even one mentor can save you from years of struggling to figure out who you are as an artist, where you want to go with your work, and how to get there.
5. Shortened learning curve. It can take years to gain enough knowledge just to understand what you need to learn when you’re on your own. Attending art school allows you to move quickly through a structured curriculum designed to provide you with a broad base of useful knowledge.
6. Built-in community. Even the most talented artist needs a peer group to keep him or her motivated and productive. At art school, you’ll have an easy time building the professional network that will serve you well throughout your career.
7. Exposure. Not only will your professors and classmates become intimately acquainted with your work, student shows will allow you to get your work seen by the public.
8. Networking opportunities. Many art schools host visiting artists and put on all sorts of extra-curricular events that will allow you to make contacts outside of your school circle.
9. Internships and other work. Professional artists and art-related organizations often turn to art schools first when looking for assistants. In addition, many art schools offer career counseling or career placement services to help you find employment in your field after graduation.
10. Business skills. Along with developing and honing your artistic abilities, most art schools will teach you the basics of how to run a small business, including how to make a budget, price your art, handle basic accounting tasks and market your work.