Modern art programs go beyond traditional painting and design, integrating fields like game development, fashion law, and digital media

From the U.S. to Europe, discover the best institutions shaping the next generation of artists and designers.
Photo by Markus Spiske

Art and design at the university is an absolute freedom, which, however, requires a lot of work and dedication. Students are constantly involved in various projects, contests, exhibitions, screenings, and performances. Study time includes seminars and workshops where students gain experience from experts and make new acquaintances, lectures that provide an academic base, and, of course, practice. Students are not limited either in topics or in ways of expression – moreover, foreign universities strive to make the creative space as diverse and multidisciplinary as possible. Bachelor’s degree lasts 3 years, and Master’s degree lasts 1-2 years. At the faculties of art and design, part-time programs are common, where students can combine work and study.

The concept of “art and design” abroad is very broad, as it includes many faculties. Firstly, these are traditional specialties: graphic design, interior design, clothing, footwear and accessories, web design, photography, art, illustration, art history, etc. At the same time, there is an increasing number of disciplines, which are far from conventional painting and design, but are closely related to everyday life and modern trends: computer game design, furniture design, packaging and signage design, fabric work, glass and ceramics work, etc. Another interesting trend in recent years has been the unification of several areas, and it seems that the shade of creativity fits well into any profession. For example, the University of Milan offers a master’s degree program in fashion and law, and the London College of Fashion was the first to introduce the opportunity to study fashion through the lens of psychology. Multidisciplinary approach is common in many foreign universities, and some symbioses have become widespread, such as the inclusion of journalism, advertising, or marketing in art and design.

Teaching art – the best places for students

The world rankings give the title of the strongest art schools in the USA and Great Britain. To pursue education in the direction of art and design in America, it is recommended to pay attention to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Parsons School of Design at the New School and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC).

The ten British academics represent the New Royal College of Art, the University of Art London and the St. Martins College of Art and Design.

In Europe, Italy, France and Germany occupy the leading positions in art and design. Typically, applicants try to enter the University of Weimar, the Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin) and the University of Berlin Kunst. The average Italian universities are the Polytechnic Institute of Milan, the Marangoni Institute and the European Institute of Design.

The best arts schools in the UK

The University of Oxford consistently occupies a leading position in the global ranking of the best universities, sometimes losing and sometimes overtaking its closest competitors — Cambridge and Harvard. Annually, millions of tourists come to watch Oxford’s traditional May Day, see Christ Church College, where Harry Potter was filmed and Alice in Wonderland was written, and immerse in the medieval atmosphere of the unique ancient university. Despite the fact that the main focus at the University of Oxford is on humanities, it is also possible to successfully study the exact sciences, law, art, music, environmental protection, medicine and many other disciplines.

The London College of Fashion is a part of the University of the Arts London, offering Foundation, Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs in fashion, makeup, cosmetology and lifestyle industry. The college’s work makes an emphasis on the development of ideas: teachers and students use fashion along with historical and cultural practices to solve social, political and ethical issues. The London College of Fashion is proud not only of its graduates, but also of its guest lecturers.

St. Martin’s Central College of Art and Design is one of the oldest English—speaking design universities in the world. It was founded in 1854. Fashion designers Stella McCartney, John Galliano, Zac Posen, Paul Smith, musician Jarvis Cocker, British artist Lucien Freud have graduated this institution.

The best arts schools in the USA

Founded in 1907, the California College of Art offers a variety of programs in fine arts, architecture, curatorial work, art criticism, design, and literary work. The college is able to accept about 1950 full-time students. The studying is conducted here on the basis of two campuses — in San Francisco and in Oakland. The college values an innovative and creative approach to teaching, bringing up a critical view of contemporary art.

The School of Art is one of the 15 schools at New York University. In 1982, A. Lawrence and Robert Preston Tisch decided to purchase and renovate the building in which the studying is conducted. Given the significant funding of the Tisch family, the school was named after this family as the Tisch School of the Arts. The school quickly occupied high positions among the leading American theater schools. Students improve dance skills, study theatrical design and stage lighting, and cinematography. The school is a platform for artists, and creative entrepreneurs. The educational process is a mix of the technical preparation of professional schools with the academic resources of a large university.

The Chicago Institute of Art is considered as one of the oldest American universities. The year of foundation is 1866. The Institute offers academic preparation in such programs as art and technology, computer animation, art management; art history, theory and criticism, art education and art therapy; ceramics; fashion design; cinema; preservation of historical heritage, architecture, interior architecture; journalism; painting and graphics; photography; printmaking, sculpture, sound, video, visual communication, visual and critical research, and literary creation. The Institute occupies leading positions in national rankings every year, and American art critics have named the Chicago Institute of Art the most influential higher art educational institution in the United States. Walt Disney graduated from the Institute.

The best art teachers – opportunity to get acquainted

In the case of studying art at the UCLA, you are provided with the great opportunity to be a student of Andrea Fraser, who is a professor of new genres, which stipulates installation, video, film, performance, hybrid art forms. Fraser together with Barbara Kruger and Catherine Opie conduct studying at the art department. The main feature of his approach to teaching is open dialogue with students.

The universities of Ivy League do not require additional representation and advertising. However, entering Columbia University, you can get acquainted with Sarah Sze, who is a professor of visual arts, conducting studying under the MFA Advanced Printmaking program. You may be surprised, but at 2013 Venice Bennale her works were admired.

Do you like to write about art instead of creating works of art? Then you must apply to Harvard University to become a student of October’s editor. Nowadays, Benjamin Buchloh runs the courses on European and American art (1945-1975), and Photography in Weimar Germany and in Exile of 1919-1959.

When Buchloh has become a professor of modern art in Harvard University’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences in 2005, it was mentioned that the art historian’s gifts as a teacher are without peer; many of the most impressive young art historians now studying postwar art are his graduates.

So, art involves diverse directions for studying. If you are a creative person, you can choose an appropriate area to pursue education. Recognized masters of their craft run their unique courses at top ranking universities.

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