“If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint’, then, by all means, paint; that voice will be silenced” – Vincent Van Gogh.
Do you want to enhance your artistic skills? Are you looking to build a career around your creativity? You may also be considering enrolling in an art school. Choosing the right school can often be a confusing process. But don’t worry, we have compiled a list of the 10 best art schools in the world for you. But before we dive into the list, there is a question that we must answer: Are arts schools beneficial?
Why Should You Enroll in Art School?
1. Experienced Instructors:
Most professors who teach art are artists themselves. And even though art is a personification of the self, art teachers can help and guide students in developing and refining their skills.
2. Access to Equipment:
Art Schools have state-of-the-art equipment that is hard to acquire otherwise. Even if the field of your art doesn’t require a lot of equipment, art schools offer a perfect place for practice.
3. Community:
Having a set of serious artists around you will help you stay productive. It can allow you to develop your creativity.
4. Exposure:
Art schools often display their work through various art shows. They are open to the public. This can allow students to show off their skills and gain feedback from art critics, collectors, and employers.
5. Studio Space:
Art schools have studio spaces all over their campus. This is a designated area where students can practice their art without any disturbance. Some schools might also offer individual spaces to students.
Now that you know the benefits of art schools, it is time to look at some of the best art schools in the world and the benefits that they have to offer. All the colleges are as per the QS rankings.
Best Art Schools In The World
| Sr. No | Name Of School | Location | Fees |
| 1 | Royal College of Art | London, UK | €15000 – € 35,000 (depending on program) |
| 2 | University Of the Arts London | London, UK | €5,100 |
| 3 | Parsons School of Design | New York, U.S.Paris, France | $58,000 – $59,000 |
| 4 | Rhode Island School of Design | Rhode Island, USA | $59,000 (Gross), $42,000 ( After Aid) |
| 5 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | Massachusetts, U.S | $59,000 (Per Year, UG) |
| 6 | Politecnico di Milano | Milan, Italy | €3,300 – €3,900 |
| 7 | Pratt Institute | New York, U.S. | $ 59,600 |
| 8 | Aalto University | Espoo, Finland | €12,000 – €15,000 |
| 9 | School of the Art Institute of Chicago | Chicago, U.S. | $54,500 |
| 10 | Design Academy Eindhoven | Eindhoven, Netherlands | €12,000 – €19,000 |
1. Royal College of Art
The Royal College of Art (RCA) teaches art and design to only postgraduate students. It is the only college to do so. With a student population of 3,000, it is spread across three campuses in London. There is a reason why it ranks #1 on the ‘Best Arts School in the World’ list. The courses at RCA are very intense but also highly rewarding. As one student puts it, “[At the RCA] spending time solidly concentrating on my sculptures, with the luxury of time purely dedicated to building up or picking that apart, meant that I could really focus my research and thinking.”It ranks as number #1 among the best art schools in the world.
Location: London, UK
Tuition Fees (PG): €15000 – € 35,000 (depending on program)
2. University of Arts London
The University of Arts London consists of six colleges, some of which include Chelsea College of Arts and Central Saint Martins. It has partnered up with brands like Nike, BBC, and L’Oreal and runs Europe’s largest student fashion show. The university supports over 800 student-led projects in a year. It is also known for its social activism and work in sustainability. It ranks as number #2 among the best art schools in the world.
Location: London, UK
Tuition Fees (UG): €5,100
3. Parsons School of Design (The New School)
Parsons School of Design is part of The New School. It has two campuses. One in New York and one in Paris. It is a school where you can study in Europe and the U.S as part of the same degree. The school has a wide range of opportunities, whether you are interested in fashion, art, design, or even media. Parsons has a strong focus on creativity and innovation. It ranks as number #4 among the best art schools in the world. It ranks as number #3 among the best art schools in the world.
Location: New York, U.S. & Paris, France
Tuition: $58,000 – $59,000
4. Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design is located in Providence, Rhode Island. At its heart, it is a small school with a tight-knit community. It is full of opportunities and is known for its studio culture. You can see the devotion of RISD to teaching the arts. That is evident, as they have once stepped back from rankings to focus on improving themselves. It ranks as number #4 among the best art schools in the world.
Location: Rhode Island, USA
Tuition: $59,000 (Gross), $42,000 ( After Aid)
5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
MIT is not a name you expect to be associated with art. As the name suggests, this school is usually known for science and technology. But, according to QS, it ranks as number #5 among the best art schools in the world.
MIT not only focuses on art through brush and paint but also through technology and science. Students can receive a technical exposure through areas at MIT, like the MIT Media Lab and the List Visual Arts Centre. MIT also offers a very robust financial aid program to help its students.
Location: Massachusetts, U.S
Tuition: $59,000 (Per Year, UG)
6. Politecnico di Milano
This college strongly focuses on networking and connecting to the industry. Students have an opportunity to work with popular Italian brands like Ferrari, Prada, and Pirelli. This is possible because of Politecnico’s strong internship program. With over 48,000 students, Politecnico di Milano offers a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in design, fashion, and much more.It ranks as number #6 among the best art schools in the world.
Location: Milan, Italy
Tuition: €3,300 – €3,900
7. Pratt Institute
The Pratt Institute is the living embodiment of art and culture. With its 25-acre campus, it is a creative hub that offers students a chance to explore arts, design, and business. Pratt is consistently ranked as one of the best arts schools in the world. Its curriculum focuses on collaborative and creative strategies for art and design.It ranks as number #7 among the best art schools in the world.
Location: New York, U.S.
Tuition: $ 59,600
8. Aalto University
Aalto University has a unique mix of business, technology, and arts programs. Its hands-on learning allows students to hone their creative skills in real time. This lets students build a strong foundation that can come in handy in future work-life. This Finnish school also has a unique student culture and has various student clubs you can join.It ranks as number #8 among the best art schools in the world.
Location: Espoo, Finland
Tuition: €12,000 – €15,000
9. School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Founded over 150 years ago, SAIC has created some of the most influential artists and designers. It provides some of the best resources that an art student can have. From the Art Institute of Chicago museum, on-campus galleries, and state-of-the-art facilities, it is a treasure trove for art
students. SAIC paves the way for students to be creative and form bold ideas.It ranks as number #9 among the best art schools in the world.
Location: Chicago, U.S.
Tuition: $54,500
10. Design Academy Eindhoven
Situated in the Netherlands, Design Academy Eindhoven (DAE) promotes educational innovation and the development of skills. Curiosity and openness to new ideas are some of the core principles of this institution. DAE provides a platform for each student to go out and impact the world through their art.It ranks as number #10 among the best art schools in the world.
Location: Eindhoven, Netherlands
Tuition: €12,000 – €19,000
Looking at the above list of schools might have inspired you to take the next step towards achieving your dreams. But what exactly is the next step? Here is what you need to know while applying to an art school.
Steps In Applying To An Art School
Step 1 – Select Your Art School:
The first step is to thoroughly research all the art schools. Hey, maybe that is what brought you here! Take into consideration all the aspects of art schools, from fees, resources, and members of the faculty.
Step 2 – Craft A Strong Portfolio:
The School that you are applying to might require you to submit a portfolio. Your portfolio should include visual summaries of your art projects. Make sure to point out any volunteer or freelance work you have done. You can also mention any internships.
Step 3 – Prepare for Essays and Interviews:
When you write your application essay, the main thing is to be genuine. Write about your passion for art. When it comes to interviews, be prepared to talk about any past experience you have with making art. The key is to communicate your interest in art.
Conclusion:
Creativity and art are some of the most meaningful forms of expression. It can manifest in many different ways. There are many tools to cultivate the seed of art that is planted in a person’s mind. No matter what the reason you want to pursue creativity is, the institutions above are some of the best arts schools in the world. And they are a beautiful gateway to the wonder that is ‘art’
FAQ
1. What can you do with an art degree?
A. You can pursue a career in a variety of fields, like art, architecture, illustration, sculpture, interior design, etc.
2. Which are the best cities to study art?
A. Tokyo, Milan, Paris, and Amsterdam are some of the best cities to study art.
3. How to create an art portfolio for a best Art Schools In The World application?
A. Pick examples that relate to the criteria put forth by the school. Organise and label them. Focus on quality over quantity. Make sure to showcase yourself with each example.
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