Have you ever wanted to express yourself visually? Whether it was becoming a painter, creating graphic art, or becoming a filmmaker, you might have thought of attending an art school. 

What is an art school? 

   For those who don’t know, an art school mostly focuses on the visual arts. This can include drawing, painting, filmmaking, and much more. You might have to do math and English for some of these classes, but the main focus is what you want to major in. People who want to major in film will most likely be working on their independent films and how to improve their craft. An artist will work on things like anatomy and color theory. 

How much do they cost? 

   According to the Miami-Dade College website, the average tuition cost to attend Miami-Dade for 2 semesters is $2,436. In contrast, the average cost of Ringling College of Art and Design is $50,500.  

   According to the article “Why are art schools so expensive?” posted on the website Artistryfound.com, many of these schools require specific supplies that aren’t usually found in a regular college. For example, film schools need cameras that are worth thousands of dollars, computers that can edit videos smoothly, and supplies to build intricate studios for filming. 

How do I attend one? 

   Whether or not you enter an art school depends on the school itself. In the article titled “Art school Requirements: How to Get Accepted into Art School” posted on the website for Career Karma, getting accepted into an elite college is exceedingly difficult, with Yale School of Art having an acceptance rate of 6%. The article recommends building a portfolio of your art. This includes all the artwork you’ve made in the past. Sometimes they require specific art to be submitted such as charcoal paintings, observational drawings, and other types of art. Some art schools like Rhode Island School of Design require specific drawings, like a pen and paper drawing of a bicycle. 

   Other than the portfolio, you might also have to prepare for an interview. This is a good thing since it shows that the school saw your application and might be interested. After this, the only thing you have to do is wait for a response.  

Is it worth it? 

   Considering the cost and requirements for entering art school, is it worth it? Miami High’s photography teacher Ms. Diaz believes it is. “If a student is interested, it is a great environment to go to a dedicated art school,” she said. “I went to Ringling Art and Design and got a Bachelor of Fine Art in graphic design.”  

   TV Production teacher Mr. Phillips agrees. “It’s worth it because even with a liberal arts college, it’s going to be more designed for the arts, more focused on your specific art,” he said.  

   Ms. Lee, the school’s drawing and painting teacher said that students should pursue their dreams and continue exploring their creative talents. 

What do art students think? 

   Some students also agree on going to art school. Senior Sophia Corazco, one of Ms. Lee’s students, is going to the Savannah College of Art and Design. She says, “Prices are very expensive, especially at private institutions. If you’re able to get scholarships and get money, then it is worth it.”  

   Senior Ashley Ramirez, another one of Ms. Lee’s students who received a scholarship from the Maryland Institute of Art worth $44 thousand, wants to become an animator. She believes that it’s worth it to go since many of your professors will be past animators, but also states that other animators were highly successful despite not going to art school. 

   I also plan to pursue a career in the arts. Becoming a filmmaker is my dream, but I don’t plan on going to an art school. That’s because my career is more than just a degree. I do plan on attending Miami-Dade College to gain some knowledge on filmmaking, but my time will mostly be spent on making independent films. 

The Best Options 

   Ms. Lee has some recommendations for anyone who’s into art. “Some schools to consider are The Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia; Pratt Institute in New York City; Rhode Island School of Design’ Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida; Florida International University in Miami; and Miami-Dade College.”  

   Mr. Phillips recommends the New York School of Film. The website Usnews.com states in their list of best graduate fine art programs that the University of California is one of the best schools to go to. It also recommends the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Yale University.