Why you SHOULD go to Art School.

Why should anyone go to Art School or college in general when there are so many other ways to learn? Education can be a tricky thing but there are a few priceless lessons to learn beyond the classroom.

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[Inkfy]

I'd argue art school is not necessary for the basics. I'm graduating this year and I can safely say if you're looking to learn how to draw, art schools aren't really there for that. They want students who already have the basics down because they have so many applying to begin with (that and they want to produce more prodigies and the assumption is that if your don't learn the basics they shouldn't accept you). A lot of art schools can be very picky. If you're looking to learn a basic class and have the materials already I think you can search that up online already on YT. There are so many options available that I feel art school JUST for that is pointless.

I think the main appeal of art school in general is networking, peer feedback, and exposure to new concepts. A lot of people don't mention it but social media is awful for peer feedback. When you don't get decent critiques you also are going to be dealing with people who may or may not have your best interests in mind. A school setting can be similar in nature as everyone is also looking to make their break but I find that at least in my experience people were willing to help and were generally chill. The tips I got were extremely helpful and I can't say I didn't learn a lot from my peers or meeting new people.

The best way I can put this is that art school isn't 100% useless but it's not 100% as useful as it could be. Unless you're going in for something very specific or you want that experience and can afford it, I'd give it a pass. However a good school will still be well worth the time despite that. I know plenty of people who got a lot of out it and some who just didn't feel it was going to work out. One thing is for certain, make sure you go because you think you could use it! If not, take other essential courses like business/art foundation courses from a community college. It helps!

[stephanie.kilgast]

The other thing you get in art schools are contacts.
If you don't go to art school, you don't know any galleries or other artists it's going to take a lot longer to make those contacts. It took me a good 3 years to have actual contacts (as in friendly contacts and not just " I asked a question and got an answer contact)
(also a trained architect btw, though never worked as one and now I'm one of those lunatics fine art artists)

[ashliel.]

Recent SCAD grad here: all these points are exactly what makes art school worth it. I'm glad you touched on these points. It's really easy to say "well you really DON'T have to go to school for art" because you really don't. But school forces you to get better faster, especially if you were like me who didn't know how to get better. Also, it really does force you to stop thinking about your style because you have no time to think about it! And eventually you'll start to notice what your style is. But yeah, I would say if you need the discipline and want honest critique, go to art school. You'll really learn if your cut out for an art industry job that way too.

[sumireamicitia]

This came at the right time when I'm setting up my plans for making a portfolio for art school. Thank You :)
Edit: woahh ty for the likes! Unfortunately, due to personal life changes I'm not able to attend art school in this current time (Moved out of state!). However, I'm doing illustrations and youtube stuff! For those who are still going for Art School, don't give up :) And if there's circumstantial things that are out of your control, there are always options out there for you to choose.

[beacreates]

If your going to go to college and study some form of art, id recommend getting a degree in the more technical side of art such as animation, 3D modeling, graphic design, etc. I personally am studying 3D modeling, and I have hit a wall as to how much I can learn from the internet, which is where having profs and class mates to ask questions is well worth the money. But going to a traditional art school just to learn how to paint better is a big waste of money. Through my degree I learned so much more than I could have ever learned by myself in terms of 3D modeling/animation. But don't go to college for traditional art.

[kittyfairy]

I want to be an animator and people say you don't "need" it, but it is so hard to learn it properly alone on my own as well as creating a good enough portfolio to actually get employed. So it is recommended a lot in order to get a job

[Movel]

I've been in an art academy for 3 years and graduated in illustration. None of the things I know today about art fundamentals (anatomy, perspective, values, edges, shading, composition etc.) was ever taught to me and I had to fill the gasps over the last year and a half with online tutorials. It's not the same for everyone, but in my case except for some live drawing classes the art academy was a gigantic waste of money and time. When I'm asked about my preparation for work I tell clients I am self taught, it's not too far from truth haha.

[autumnn]

I went to university for illustration with the idea that I’d end up designing packaging or something and left with a passion for children’s book illustration. Your art tutors can have such a massive impact on you and show you areas of art you hadn’t thought about before. I’m going back in October to start my Masters studies. I want to give myself a year to focus fully on my artwork and portfolio to help me launch my first book!

[magicmarcy]

I'm 28, just started art school last fall. I've learned two MAJOR things (in my opinion) that have been a game changer for me. One, that I've been struggling with for years, and still struggle with, is time management. Part of this came from watching the fresh out of high school kids wait til last minute to finish things and then all flip out collectively when it came to a due date. I didn't like this feeling myself and at least as far as school is concerned, I'm finally managing my time better and making sure I'm not struggling to finish assignments last minute.

The other thing was learning how to THINK. More than anything I am being taught how to think, how to come up with ideas, how to question and then answer those questions. My teachers are making sure I am marketable, able to get a job post school. Making sure I am able to make a clients dream come to life. How to analyze and make sure I'm doing all I am to create something that gives off some kind of feeling or emotion. I went into school thinking I'd learn certain things better, such as anatomy, etc, and while I am in certain ways, such as lifedrawing class, my art has immensely improved by just adjusting my viewpoint and my thinking to come up with ideas.

Another thing I'd like to add, is being online for half of spring semester/fall, I've greatly missed the critique and feedback times. Standing in a circle going over mockups or thumbnails and giving opinions, and then being critiqued on final projects and seeing what I can't or don't see in my own work being pointed out for good or better. No one has really participated in this with the online classes except my teachers, which, while I appreciate their feedback, they are experts. It's hard to find other art students, at least for me, that know how to critique or are willing to critique. And when it's not required to turn in an assignment, I find myself not bothering with thumbnails or mockups half the time, which is a step backwards for me.

Just my two cents. I learned a lot online before I got into art school, but my art has really improved a thousand fold in just a couple semesters. I'm a person that needs to be directed and taught, preferably in person, so online classes/skillshare type stuff just doesn't really click with me.

[sami.]

Another thing that I couldn't find anywhere else in art school is to be surrounded by other artists that one thing made me want to practice more to stand out in this small art community 👀
And back before I went to art school I really didn't know how to practice or how to get better at art I was just drawing things, and I got lucky to be a friend with the most hardworking people in the whole school another thing that really poshed my skills to the limit!

[Fantallana]

Thank you for not making me feel stupid for going back to art school. I took 2D animation at Capilano university, North Vancouver. it was a great experience, and made me happy too. I’m taking 3D next. But every other artist I respect seems like they’re trying to make me feel stupid for my decision.

[Mijuki]

I think the biggest thing that art school does is simply "forcing" you to draw everyday

[MisturMonster]

As a incoming Junior attending SVA, art school is what u make of it. Some slack and won't get much, others will find new passions from realizing what they love and dont love. People may or may not thrive in art school because it is tough, extremely tough. This is what the art industry itself is though, tough. From my few years at SVA, I loved and hated moments of both and now in 2020, I have decided to take a gap year and start my own business. I love my major but I don't know if its for me and thats ok! I am grateful for SVA and what I learned and I may return next year to earn finish off and earn my degree.

[LL-exgp]

Art school isn’t always worth the cost. You can do art and learn discipline on your own. If anything, artists should should study business. Not having business sense or interest is the real reason artists aren’t making the money though could.

[danielciau]

Honestly, the main reason i’m hesitant about going to art school is that the price is very huge especially in LA. Also, getting into an art school seems like half the battle already which makes no sense to me...While I want to master the fundamentals and would benefit from the skills, those two things really make me question art school

(Thank you for the likes!! I appreciate it!)

[kendalblake]

I'm glad that a lot of people take the time to self teach themself. But I hate that they try to make it seem like self taught makes you better than someone who went to college. I was self taught for 5 years before I went to college. Going to college taught me so much about the business side of being an artist, as well as how to problem solve and how to create unique ideas for your work. My mind set is so different because of the things I learned in college.

[gabbyvelasquez]

depends also on which art school u go to. i think mine has done a really good job at developing our skills which is what school should be for. i asked my profs what they look for when they accept students, they all told me that our school doesnt look at skills. you can learn those at school. they look for passion and out of the box thinking, the potential to become great with guidance. ive learned a LOT at art school, ive improved drastically, but i also put in the work the effort and im always communicating with my profs so i can improve fast. part of that includes learning things outside of what is taught traditionally in school. making friends from art school teachers also means that i have connections after im done, one of my profs is even considering hiring me as a studio assistant for his business once im finished. also critiques is probably the most useful thing to come to my art, getting told whats going well and not going well in a piece from not only my peers but professionals in the field was really valuable.

[kaylyn]

Thank you for this video because the amount of people in the industry who call art school "worthless" has really been making me question if I'm wasting my time. But if I'm being honest with myself, I don't think I personally would be where I am right now without all the critique and structure/discipline I get from my classes. I can be a bit of a mess when left to my own devices, so having classes to get me used to working on my art regularly and practicing fundamentals has really helped.

[jaytea]

ideally, but at the end of the day art is so subjective that a lot of 'guidance' can often be harmful in the long run. My art teachers admonishing anime in a non-realistic drawing setting led to me feeling that the art I did for fun didn't have any value, and I stopped drawing for six months because of it.

[jeremymunene]

I can definitely agree with this. If you look at my art from a year ago you'd see that I've improved a lot. It's really due to the work you put in and the people you have guiding and critiquing you. It's not easy but you can do it.