mackinaw

bears and dogs,

My daughter did SAIC for 3 weeks each time, IIRC. She didn't want to commit to a longer session. The first summer, after her soph year, she took drawing. The second summer she took sculpture. I'm not sure who the instructors were; probably adjuncts; but they were good, especially the first one, from whom she learned a lot.

I would say that the take-home stuff from first summer was relative minor, but the experience contributed a lot to her skills and self-confidence; her ability to draw well was a foundation for everything else she did. In second summer she created a couple of clay sculptures that became part of the portfolio that she ultimately submitted to colleges.

She had been to Chicago a number of times, because her brother was attending UChicago and we had visited a few times per year. She did get "off campus" a bit for shopping and so on during her summers there. In any case because she was expecting to go to college away from home, she thought of the summer art experience as useful also for a "live in a dorm" experience in a city. (She ended up attending RISD, where she majored in industrial design. Now she lives in NYC.)

bears and dogs

mackinaw
Since you are in the area you were out to be able to drive to and from with her. My child will be flying out by himself and physical bulk of the finished work worries me. Their letter said take it or will be destoryed. Shipping also seems pain in the neck.

I am sorry but this is very important for us.
Can she/ did she cook or eat out with friends?
My child won't fanction unless well fed. This might be the biggest SAIC concern.
And yes, clean shirts and socks for two weeks worth.

Is your daughter a green industrial design girl? How she doing job wise in NYC?

mackinaw

b & d, my daughter didn't cook for herself but used the cafeteriia there or went out with friends she met at the school. The dorm she stayed in at the time was just across the street from the Art Institute (on Michigan Avenue), but apparently they now have one a few blocks away. I think you might try to talk to someone connected with the summer program, or perhaps current students, and ask about the food situation.

My daughter is definitely a green design person (won a "Rachel Carson" award from the ID faculty in her senior year). This wasn't something that was emphasized at RISD at the time, but they're catching on to the "movement." In NY in addition to working in graphic and product design, she's also become involved in an association of green designers (o2NYC News) and taken some leadership in their projects such as this one: http:///www.hautegreen.com. These involve promoting the green design industry.

bears and dogs

I can't open the link but sounds great. I live in the NYC and am subway ad fetish - I have a post about SVA ad somewhere that made one of the CC guru mad- - Now there are series of green posters. I wonder if it’s something to do with her work?
It seems going to RISD was a good decision she made. I doubt coming out from more concept-y arty schools would have helped to get good real paying job this young.
Thank you for food /dorm info. We'll see what happens.

dtex50

christi - I agree with mackinaw. Our D will be attending the 3-week session followed by the 2-week session at SAIC this summer. My wife and I went to Chicago (from TX) in March and checked out the location of the school and the surrounding area. It appeared to be a good part of town. Also, the students are not to use any city public transportation until they have had their orientation. This may be not only for safety reasons, but also a tutorial on how not to get lost. There are lots of places to dine around the school, as well as a number of places to purchase art supplies, food to take back to the rooms, department stores, etc. We feel that she will be safe.

christi

Thanks everyone. I'm just so frustrated right now. My dad is completely going back on what he said, refusing to support the idea, etc. I have no idea what to do anymore. I think i'm going to apply to PAFA and SMFA because they've been such a huge help to me and i'm really interested in the programs, but my dad is just being ridiculous. I hope I can convince him that this is a good idea...