<p>We spend a lot of time on CC obsessing about the tippy top of the art school world and I wonder if that creates a warped view of things. I’ve had this thought bouncing around in my dim little brain for a while now and I tripped over a new artist and that has brought this thought into focus for me.</p>
<p>All well and good you say but what does any of this have to do with my top art school slamming the door in my face? Well look at where this talented and now successful artist went to school: Rutgers for her BFA and Montclair State for her MFA. Um, anyone have either of these schools as their top pick for fine art? Didn’t think so. And yet they helped this young lady find a strong voice, they helped develop talent, they helped her get to where she is now.</p>
<p>So all of this is just a long winded way of saying: don’t be discouraged if your top pick for art school says no. Sometimes all it takes is to connect with one professor to create that magical spark that fires the creative engine. That spark can be found at all levels of the college art world… and Ms. Pacula is a shining example.</p>
<p>Yeah, when I was a senior in high school I wanted to go to either College of Visual Arts (CVA) in St. Paul or the Art Institute of Minneapolis. I went to high school in Minnesota and kind of wanted to stay in the state. I was accepted into both and decided on CVA but, at the last minute had to change plans due to a lack of funds even though I did get a scholarship. I was really discouraged at first since I had to go to a not well known university in my small city instead. But I am pretty happy with how it all worked out since I am getting to try things that I wouldn’t have in other places. Especially AI since they don’t offer studio arts. And I am getting a minor in Mass Comm. which neither of them offered. I guess it would have been fine if I had known 100% what I wanted to focus on at CVA, but I didn’t. Another bonus is that I am a debt free junior. =]</p>
<p>I am pretty happy that I didn’t go to a 25k a year school, since it isn’t really important where you go, it is just about using what you learn to your advantage.</p>
<p>I am not familiar with the Art Institute of Minneapolis, but I find it strange that a school by that name would not offer studio art. Just curious, did you consider MCAD (Minneapolis College of Art and Design)? D is freshman and loves it and in addition to the studio arts, they have a business and advertising track. Glad you grew where you landed!!</p>
<p>I made stink at Wheary in PM but this is one of these things I don’t get why other people get. things are different where and how you live.
like, I have noway knowing if NJ state school was said ^^artist’s top pick all along or in state safety.
old poster named findmepete’s talented D had other choices but “picked” to go to Mason Gross close to home. You might never heard of it but it is rather well regarded artschool in NJ state system.
Why is that we’d assume if one goes to low tier got-to-be-safety school, kid must be rejected from top pick school?
most large public school kids from immigrant family does not even think to apply to private art schools and their 1st gen parents/GC are painfully clueless. only few lucky ones get mentors outside or win scholastics to open doors.
some schools even has no tie to such awards opps.
often enough in here we hear from enthusiastic artkid
" my dream school is art institute (for profit kind) of so and so" without ever knowing there is legit nice school that gives merit, or state school with nice art dept. they can commute?
let’s not patronize them, which I do all the time and regret afterward.
everyone is different, noone is less of artist because did or did not do this and that.
which,
I guess what Wheaty is trying to say after all, if only he was not so much of USNWR fan/prestige monger, I actually love him dearly now</p>
<p>My post was not intended as some sort of backhanded put-down of either Rutgers or Montclair State. In fact the opposite, I have a newfound respect for both. No, I was just pointing out that neither is discussed at all on CC (along with a million other schools) and I think that creates a warped view of what constitutes a “good art school”. I used one example, Ms. Pacula, to illustrate my point.</p>
<p>You are right on point about location. Not that it matters, but as a West Coaster I am vaguely aware of Rutgers, almost no knowledge of the Mason School, and I had never heard of Montclair State before reading Pacula’s bio. But hey, now I know more!</p>
<p>redbug119,
I was surprised too. The Art Institute has a lot of focus on digital media and advertising.
I did consider MCAD and thought it looked really nice. I kind of wish I would have tried for some scholarships there as the only thing that didn’t work for me about it was the tuition cost.</p>
<p>I love this post. Thank you for encouraging all the kids at just the right time! Things really do have a way of working out. Most people end up LOVING the school they attend, even if it wasn’t their first choice initially (or even their second, third, etc…).</p>