New York is the center of the art world, and New York University is right at the center of that world. The NYU program emphasizes studio practice and requires 86 units of drawing, media fundamentals and the development of independent student projects. Admission to the program is very competitive and you will need to submit an extensive portfolio in order to be accepted.
NYU BFA Studio Arts
34 Stuyvesant Street
New York, NY 10003
212-998-5700
steinhardt.nyu.edu
If you are not ready to move to New York, you can also find a thriving art scene with access to international galleries through the prestigious Art Basel Fair in Miami at New World School of the Arts. Students from New World have gone on to successful studio careers and their work is shown in galleries and museums around the world. Your program of study will concentrate on your own strengths and can include drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, graphic design or sculpture.
New World School of the Arts
300 NE 2nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33132
305-237-3135
nwsa.mdc.edu
If you are looking for an art program that prepares you for entrance to an MFA program, you will want to find a school that provides a good scholarly foundation in art history and critical theory. Yale University has one of the most prestigious MFA programs in the world, and their undergraduate art program is a great portal to that program. The undergraduate program includes some studio work, and advanced undergraduates can enroll in selected graduate-level courses.
Yale University School of Art
1156 Chapel Street
New Haven, CT 06520
203-432-2600
art.yale.edu
If you are interested in doing curatorial work you will want to consider Bard. Their Master's in Curatorial Studies is one of the best in the country, and their undergraduate degree in Art History is great preparation for that program. The program emphasizes learning how to critically view and write about art. You won't do any studio work in this program, but you will gain a solid foundation in the scholarship of art.
Bard College
PO Box 5000
Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504
845-758-7472
bard.edu
Students who want to do applied art will be best served by an art program emphasizing design skills. In these programs you will use your artistic talent to design websites, fashion, jewelry or architecture. Much of your studio time will be spent using computers to develop art that appeals to a broad audience. The Rhode Island School of Design is the most prestigious of these types of programs. RISD offers 16 undergraduate majors to fit your interests.
Rhode Island School of Design
2 College Street
Providence, RI 02903
401-454-6100
risd.edu
Savannah College of Art and Design is another applied art program that would be best for students who want a creative career in areas like building arts, communication arts, fashion, design, and film and digital arts. SCAD also offers an extensive online program for students who need more flexibility in their education.
Savannah College of Art and Design
342 Bull Street
Savannah, GA 31402
912-525-5100
scad.edu