Which are the Best Fine Arts Colleges in the US?

The question as to which are the best fine arts colleges in the US is extremely difficult to answer. While there are a number of websites which will rank these colleges according to performance, going to the number one ranked college may not always be the best choice.

Every student has very different needs, and it’s important to keep an open mind when deciding which colleges to apply to. The majority of fine arts schools will offer a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Arts, or a Bachelor of Science degree, while many will also offer Master of Fine Arts degrees. Here are just a very few of the many fine arts colleges in the US.

Rhode Island School of Design

If you are set on attending one of the best fine arts colleges in the country then Rhode Island School of Design is one of the top rated in the country. It was founded in 1877 which makes it one of the oldest and best known fine arts colleges in the US. It attracts students from around the world, and offers studio based bachelors and Masters Degree programs in fine arts, arts education and architecture. The college enjoys an enviable location in Providence, Rhode Island, and students here enjoy easy access to both Boston and New York. If you would like to know more, then visit their website http://www.risd.edu further information.

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

This is an extremely well-known school in an architecturally exciting city, and as such it is able to provide students with an incredibly diverse curriculum. It helps prepare its students for entry into the workplace, so that graduates engage in practices which involve them within communities. All students are encouraged to become multidisciplinary artists. It offers a wide range of bachelor degrees and Masters Degrees. More information can be found on their website at http://www.saic.edu.

Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts

This university is highly regarded and extremely highly rated in terms of offering fine arts degrees. It’s located in Richmond, Virginia, and the school originally opened in 1928, after starting out as just one art class. Young artists are encouraged to explore their potential, and the faculty members set extremely high standards to ensure students achieve their full potential. Courses here range from an art foundation course, to cinema and film courses, music, photography, theater and sculpture. Visit their website to find out more. http://www.vcu.edu/arts.

Cranbrook Academy of Art

Cranbrook Academy of Art has been around for more than 75 years, and is considered to be a very prestigious academy located in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. This academy boasts a number of famous designers and artists who graduated from their programs. It’s an independent institution which offers an intense studio based experience. This means that the artists in residence mentor students in a number of fields including art, architecture, and design. It’s a 315 acre campus that feels more like community than a school, and it fosters an environment that is conducive to artistic growth. Its website is http://www.cranbrookart.edu

What Are the Employment Prospects Like for Someone with a Fine Arts Degree?

If you are considering going to a fine arts college then you may be wondering what your job prospects are like upon graduation. It’s not an easy field to find work, and around 60% of artists are self-employed, as the competition for salaried jobs and freelance work is extremely keen. Salaries also very immensely, and some artists may initially find it difficult to rely on income earned through art.

The majority of fine artists will have at least one other job to support their art career. Common fields of employment include art galleries where work is available as curators or fine arts directors, while others will work as teachers. Some will also work as art critics or as consultants to magazines or even to foundations or institutional collectors.