Tips on Visual Arts from an Admissions Advisor
For some students, finding your passion can be an overwhelming task. For artists, the passion is usually already there—but giving yourself permission to follow it can be another story. Here are some tips on visual arts from an admissions advisor to help you combine your passion with practicality so you can succeed in college and beyond.
My name is Liz, and my area of expertise is visual and digital arts. Art has been a passion of mine ever since I was a little girl. My love for art grew because my mom has always been a very creative person. Growing up, she would always have some kind of camera with her, whether it was a Polaroid or even a disposable camera.
Getting My Visual Arts Education
Growing up, I never took any art classes outside of school, but my mom’s encouragement helped me explore my creativity and develop an appreciation for the arts. In school, I dabbled in drawing, painting, and ceramics, and while I enjoyed producing art, I never viewed it as a life direction.
I spent my entire high school career thinking about what I wanted to go into. My high school had groups called academies that allowed students to delve deeper into a chosen subject. Joining the art academy gave me the opportunity to take various art courses, where I realized I wanted to keep doing art in college and for my career.
In college, my direction changed somewhat as I discovered a passion for art history, not just producing art. One professor’s story inspired me: in addition to traveling and taking pictures for National Geographic, he also prioritized teaching photography courses like Intro to Studio Lighting because he considered teaching as valuable as taking dramatic travel photos. Getting to know a real-life role model gave me a new vision for teaching art history, and I’ve never looked back.
Tips on Visual Arts from an Admissions Advisor: Course Selection
The arts in the education system have definitely evolved over the last 10 years. High schools now offer a great range of visual arts classes. I highly encourage students to take at least 4-5 different art courses in high school. Exploring different sides of art will provide you with a clearer picture of what you enjoy and which branch of art you want to pursue.
The possibilities are endless. You might enjoy the old-fashioned feeling of mixing paints or ceramic glazes while make studio art. Or maybe you prefer digital painting, 3D modeling, art advertising, or digital design. Of course, photography offers another approach to art, or you might find yourself drawn to art history, like me.
What do Visual Arts Careers Look Like?
Art is also pretty well-rounded when it comes to careers. Anyone could go my route and be a teacher. More technological careers include working in character design, animation, and game design. Another wonderful career within the arts is 3D modeling, which is useful for engineering, industrial design, and even the medical field.
For students who are interested in getting into art, go to art shows and local galleries. Start by searching up if your city has any museums or upcoming gallery exhibitions. A lot of the time, you might even get the chance to meet the artist and ask any questions regarding their creative process. This is a great way to learn about the process it takes to put together an exhibition.
I also encourage you to do an internship at a museum, with a photographer, or by assisting a professional artist. Most assisting jobs can start in high school. Assisting an artist consists mainly of helping the artist set up, shadowing, and helping in big projects. That’s how you get the best experience within the art field: everything is very hands on.
If you need help putting together a standout college application, our experienced educational consultants can help! We’ll walk you through navigating the application portals and writing admissions essays that shine so you can earn an art degree from a top university. Get started today with your free initial consultation!
Liz Robles
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