Founded 1866, the School of Art at the Art Institute of Chicago is the oldest accredited independent school of art and design in the United States. At the largest school-museum campus in the country, SAIC offers undergraduate, graduate and post-baccalaureate certificates in areas such as architecture, design, art education, art history, ceramics, fashion, photography, film, sound, sculpture, performance, writing and more. SAIC offers flexible study without majors, allowing students to flow through disciplines in both studio and academic environments. U.S. News and World Report consistently ranks SAIC among the top three fine arts graduate programs in America. According to the school's website, it produced more Fulbright scholars in 2009-10 than any other art school. Prospective students apply online, prepare a portfolio, present a statement and pass an interview before admittance.
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
37 S. Western Ave.
Chicago, IL 60603
312-629-6100
saic.edu
In metropolitan Columbus, Ohio, The Ohio State University Department of art "offers an exceptional, nationally ranked MFA program and quality undergraduate programs that are recognized nationally and internationally" (according to its official website). Areas of graduate and undergraduate study include art and technology, ceramics, glass, painting and drawing, photography, printmaking and sculpture. Among these programs, the OSU Department of Art strives to nurture creativity within students via balancing traditional art forms with new media and applying these practices to modern life; students often engage in professional activity during their studies. U.S. News and World Report ranks Ohio State University 21st among the best graduate art schools in America. Interested students may apply online.
Ohio State University Department of Art
146 Hopkins Hall
128 N. Oval Mall
Columbus, OH 43210
614-292-5072
art.osu.edu
Located in the historic midwestern town of St. Louis, Missouri, Washington University hosts the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts. According to its official website, the Sam Fox School focuses on applying art and design to the "creative terrain of our contemporary world" to increase "the potential for interaction and communication as the boundaries between the global and the local disappear ever more rapidly." To do so, the school offers graduate and undergraduate art and architecture programs, including majors in communication design, digital imaging and photography, fashion design, printmaking and drawing, painting and sculpture. Student-based ranking organization StudentReview.com ranks Washington University in St. Louis number 28 among the top undergraduate creative schools in the United States. Interested students apply by sending the an application to WU's Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts
Washington University in St. Louis
Campus Box 1213
One Brookings Dr.
St. Louis, MO 63130
314-935-6500
samfoxschool.wustl.edu