The Best Art Colleges in America

California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)

• The California Institute of the Arts offers bachelor's and master's degree programs in art, graphic design, photography and media. The curriculum at CalArts is devoted to contemporary art movements rather than traditional art methods. Admission to the school is based on an evaluation of the applicant's portfolio as well as an artist statement. The artist statement weights heavily in the admissions process and should detail the applicant's current focus, who or what has influenced their work, and their reasons for wanting to study at CalArts.

  California Institute of the Arts
  24700 McBean Pkwy.
  Valencia, CA 91355
  (661) 255-1050
  calarts.edu/art/programs

Rhode Island School of Design

• The Rhode Island School of Design offers 16 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including ceramics, architecture, digital art, painting, sculpture and print media. The school promotes diversity in its approach to academics and encourages students to create their art with an awareness of global cultural and environmental issues.

  Rhode Island School of Design
  2 College St.
  Providence, RI 02903
  (401) 454-6300
  risd.edu

Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts

• The Lyme Academy offers undergraduate degrees in painting, sculpture and illustration, as well as a post-baccalaureate degree program. The art program at the Lyme Academy is devoted to contemporary art with a specific focus on representational and figurative art. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Academy and participate in a class as part of the admissions process.

  Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts
  84 Lyme St.
  Old Lyme, CT 06371
  (860) 434-5232
  lymeacademy.edu

Maryland Institute College of Art

• The Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) offers undergraduate and graduate programs in graphic design, painting, sculpture, photography and media, studio art and art education. There is also a multidisciplinary MFA which allows students to complete a graduate degree that is customized to their areas of interest.

  Maryland Institute College of Art
  1300 Mount Royal Ave.
  Baltimore, MD 21217
  (410) 225-2256
  mica.edu/

Cranbrook Academy of Art

• The Cranbrook Academy of Art offers graduate degree programs in modern and contemporary art, design, and architecture. Curriculum includes programs in 3-D art, metalworking, ceramics, painting, photography, and sculpture. The atmosphere of the Cranbrook Academy is that of a community of artists, rather than a traditional college, and the current artists-in-residence live on-campus alongside the student body.

  Cranbrook Academy of Art
  39221 Woodward Ave.
  Box 801
  Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303
  (248) 645-3300
  cranbrookart.edu

Art Institute of Chicago

• The Art Institute of Chicago offers undergraduate and graduate programs in art history, art therapy, studio art, design, and architecture. The Art Institute takes an interdisciplinary approach to learning and encourages students to expand their knowledge and skill set through trial-and-error. Applicants to the program must provide samples of their work along with a personal statement outlining their academic and artistic goals.

  School of the Art Institute of Chicago
  37 S. Wabash Ave.
  Chicago, IL 60603
  (312) 629-6100
  saic.edu

Art Center College of Design

• The Art Center College of Design offers programs in illustration, landscape architecture, studio art, interior design, graphic design, animation and photography. The Art Center takes an innovative approach to art by combining traditional art techniques with the latest digital technology.

  Art Center College of Design
  1700 Lida St.
  Pasadena, CA 91103
  (626) 396-2373
  artcenter.edu