While becoming an artist requires a gift of artistic talent, it also requires training to strengthen and broaden one’s skills.
People, who do not obtain the necessary training, may never realize the full potential that they are capable of.
There are many incredible art schools in the state of Arizona, and following is a list of some of the best.
Arizona Schools of Art
Below are some of the best Art Schools in Arizona.
The Art Institute of Tucson
Accredited with the Accrediting Council on Independent Colleges and Schools, The Art Institute of Tucson offers many different art programs including fashion design, culinary arts, graphic design, interior design, web design, and game art and design. For prospective students to learn about any of these programs, they can call the institute at-520-318-2700, or they can visit the school’s website at-http://www.artinstitutes.edu/tucson/. They can also write to them at the following address-5099 East Grant Road, Suite 100, Tucson, Arizona, 85712.
For students to gain entry into the institute, they must attend an interview with a school official and submit an essay describing their educational and career goals. Many of the programs also require students to submit a 10 to 15 piece portfolio containing some of the student’s best art work.
The bachelor of arts degree program in media arts and animation is a rigorous curriculum comprised of several general education and program-related courses. The general education courses in the curriculum include the following classes-Speech, English Composition, US History, Sensory Language and Culture, Critical Thinking, Ethics, and six additional General Education electives.
The program-related courses in the curriculum include the following classes-Fundamentals of Drawing, Fundamentals of Design, Perspective, Analysis of Form, Life Drawing, Color Theory, Advanced Life Drawing, Art History, Advanced Animation Drawing, Image Manipulation, Digital Typography, Broadcast Graphics, Digital Audio and Video, 2D Animation I and II, Advanced Image Manipulation for Animators, Externship, Storyboarding, Principles of 3D Modeling, Honors Animation Studio I and II, Language of Animation and Film, 2D Animation Principles, Hard Surface and Organic Modeling, Character Design, Materials and Lighting, Background Design and Layout, 3D Animation I and II, Digital Design and Motion, Acting and Movement, Advanced Modeling and Animation, Digital Ink and Paint, Advanced Lighting and Texturing, Principles of 3D Animation, Character Modeling, 2D Animation Studio, Advanced Vector Animation, Conceptual Storytelling, Character Animation, Special Topics for Animation, Portfolio Pre-Production, Sculpture for Animation, Animation Studio, Pre-Production Team, Production Team, Portfolio Production, Business of Animation, Character Rigging, and Video Camera and Lighting Techniques.
The Art Institute of Phoenix
Also accredited with the Accrediting Council on Independent Colleges and Schools, The Art Institute of Phoenix offers a vast array of art programs including graphic design, culinary arts, interior design, web design, visual effects, digital photography and game design. Aspiring artists can find out how to enroll to the school by phoning them at-602-331-7400 or by visiting their website at-http://www.artinstitutes.edu/tucson/. They can also obtain information by writing to the school at-2233 West Dunlap Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona, 85021.
Those students, who wish to earn an associate of applied science degree in baking and pastry arts, will need to complete several general education courses as follows-Effective Speaking, English I, Critical Thinking, Spanish I, Nutritional Science, Mathematics, and Computer Science.
They will also need to complete the following culinary arts-related courses-Fundamentals of Classical Techniques, Culinary Theory and Concepts, Introduction to Baking and Pastry Techniques, American Regional Cuisine, Kitchen Management and Career Development, Artisan Breads and Baking Production, European Cakes and Tortes, Management by Menu, Advanced Patisserie and Display Cakes, Classical European Cuisine, A La Carte, Sustainable Purchasing and Controlling Costs, Food and Beverage Operations Management, Culinary Capstone, and Chocolate/Confections and Centerpieces.
Southwest University of Visual Arts
Located in Tucson and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Southwest University of Visual Arts offers many phenomenal art programs including graphic design, animation, interior design, studio art and photography. Those students, who would like to study within any of these fields, can call the university at-800-825-8753 or visit them online at-http://suva.edu. They can also write to the campus at the following address-2525 North Country Club Road, Tucson, Arizona, 85716.
Before students can gain entry to the university, they must schedule an interview with a school official and complete a personal statement form. They must also submit an essay pertaining to one of several topics supplied by the school. Finally, many of the programs require students to submit an art portfolio containing at least three pieces of their best work that relates to the field of their interest.
Those students, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in studio art/painting, will need to complete the following basic skills courses-Composition I and II, Principles of Communication, Creative Thinking, Critical Thinking, three Humanities electives, two Social and Behavioral Science courses, Business Communications, Mathematics, Science, and Diversity and Global Studies.
They must also complete the following art-related courses-Western Art-Paleolithic to Renaissance, Western Art-Renaissance to 21st Century, Introduction to Drawing, Introduction to Darkroom Photography, 2D Design Principles, Adobe Photoshop, 3D Form and Space, Time-Based Art, Intermediate Drawing, Introduction to Digital Photography, Figure Drawing, Introduction to Painting, Introduction to Printmaking, Introduction to Sculpture, Contemporary Art Issues and Practices, Philosophy and Theory in Art, Advanced Studio I and II, Professional Practices, Thesis and Portfolio Exhibition, three Inter-Media electives, two Art History electives, Painting/Concepts and Approaches, Water-Based Painting, Drawing and Painting/Developing a Personal Language, Advanced Painting/Materials and Techniques, Advanced Painting/Contemporary Narrative, and at least three additional Studio courses.
Arizona Colleges and Universities
Below are some of the best Colleges that offer Art Courses, Classes and Programs.
Cochise College
Cochise College in Douglas offers outstanding programs in game design/creation, culinary arts, theater arts, art education, music and fine art, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Individuals, who would like to begin careers in any of these fields, can find out how to enroll by calling-520-364-7943 or by checking out the college’s website at-http://www.cochise.edu. They may also choose to write to Cochise at-4190 West Highway 80, Douglas, Arizona, 85607.
Those individuals, who choose to earn their associate’s degree in applied science/game design, will need to take several basic education classes as follows-Applied Technical Writing, Advanced Applied Technical Writing, Mathematics, Technology Literacy, and two additional Basic Education electives.
They will also need to take several program-oriented classes as follows-Introduction to Programming Logic, Basic Game Design and Creation, Introduction to Visual Programming, Introduction to Game Programming, Introduction to Game Level Design, Advanced Game Design and Creation, Introduction to Simulations Programming, Artificial Intelligence Theory and Programming, Game Development Using Flash, Practical Applications in Game Design, Computer Animation I and II, and at least two additional program-oriented electives.
Coconino Community College
Coconino Community College, located in Flagstaff and accredited with the Higher Learning Commission, has superior programs in visual arts and dance for prospective artists. Those persons, who would like to apply to Coconino, can find out the application procedures by visiting the school online at-http://www.coconino.edu or by calling them at-928-527-1222. If they wish, they may also write to them at-3000 North Fourth Street, Flagstaff, Arizona, 86001.
The associate of fine arts degree in visual arts program consists of a variety of basic education and art-related course work. The basic education classes in the program are as follows-College Composition I and II, College Mathematics, Humanities, three Social/Behavioral Science electives, Physical Science, Biological Science, and one additional Basic Education elective.
The art-related courses in the program are as follows-Drawing I and II, Color and Design, Three-Dimensional Design, Visual Arts Practicum, Life Drawing, Ceramics I, Photography I, Sculpture I, and Painting I and II.
Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, accredited with the Higher Learning Commission, has spectacular programs in theater, dance, music, film, and fine arts. If people would like to schedule a tour of the university, they can do so by calling-602-639-7500 or by writing to-Post Office Box 11097, Phoenix, Arizona, 85061. They can also find answers to their inquiries online at-http://www.gcu.edu.
Those people, who choose to pursue a bachelor’s of arts degree in digital design, must complete the following basic education classes-University Success, Communication and Information Literacy, English Composition I and II, Christian Worldview, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Applications of Algebra, Environmental Science, Themes in US History, Psychology in Everyday Life, and Everyday Sociology.
They must also complete the following career-preparation classes-Survey of the Visual Arts, Drawing for the Visual Arts, Design Fundamentals, Digital Photography I and II, Designing with Type, Figure Drawing, 2D Animation Design, Sculpture, Web Design I and II, 3D Modeling Design I, History of Design, Web Applications, Business for the Design Professional, Content Management Systems, Programming for the Web I and II, Interactive Web Design, and Advanced Design Practicum.
Paradise Valley Community College
Located in Phoenix and accredited with the Higher Learning Commission, Paradise Valley Community College offers exemplary programs in fine arts, dance, theater and art education for those people, interested in these fields. For people to obtain full details on any of these programs, they can call Paradise Valley at-602-787-6500 or visit them online at-http://www.pvc.maricopa.edu/. They can also write to the campus at-18401 North 32nd Street, Phoenix, Arizona, 85032.
Students, who want to earn their associate’s degree in arts/fine arts, will need to take a variety of general education courses as follows-First-Year Composition, Literacy and Critical Inquiry, Mathematics, Computer Applications, Humanities, two Social and Behavioral Science courses, two Natural Science courses, Cultural Diversity in the United States, Global Awareness or Historical Awareness, Oral Communication, and Critical Reading.
They will also need to take the following art-specific courses-Prehistoric Through Gothic Art, Two-Dimensional Design, Three-Dimensional Design, Renaissance Through Contemporary Art, Drawing I, Color, The Portfolio, Life Drawing I, Drawing and Composition II, Photography I, Sculpture I, Ceramics I, Watercolor Painting I, and Painting I.
Pima Community College
Pima Community College in Tucson, accredited with the Higher Learning Commission, offers several astounding art programs, including fine arts, dance, music, theater, and culinary arts. Students, wishing to study within any of these areas, can phone the school at-520-206-4500 or write to them at the following address-4905 East Broadway Blvd., Tucson, Arizona, 85709. They can also find the admissions procedures online at-http://www.pima.edu.
Those persons, who want to work towards an associate’s degree of applied science in fine arts/painting and drawing, will need to fulfill the following general education requirements-two Communication electives, two Analysis and Critical Thinking electives, and Computer and Information Literacy.
They will also need to complete the following program-specific requirements-Basic Design, Drawing I and II, Color and Composition, Sculptural Design, Art and Culture/Prehistoric Through Gothic, Art and Culture/Late Gothic Through Modern Periods, Portfolio Preparation, Survey of Painting Materials and Techniques, Life Drawing, Painting I and II, Independent Study in Art-Painting/Drawing and Design, Exploring Art and Visual Studies, Art in America, and Digital Photography I and II.
Requirements of Art Schools in Arizona
Before people can gain entry into an art school, they must fulfill various requirements as established by the school. Although these requirements differ from one school to another, there are many basic requirements found in most all art institutions. The materials that students will need also varies; however, there are many basic materials that most programs require. Finally, for students to graduate from their programs and earn their degrees, they will need to fulfill various graduation requirements. Following is a brief outline of some of the common admissions/graduation requirements and necessary materials.
A. Arizona Art School Admissions Requirements
1. Application and Any Applicable Fees
2. High-School and other Transcripts
3. Placement Tests
4. Portfolios or Auditions
5. Letters of Recommendation
6. Work Experience
7. Orientation, Tour and Interview
8. Essays
B. Common Materials Needed for Arizona Art Schools
1. Digital Camera
2. Paint Supplies
3. Staple Gun
4. Measuring Tools
5. Cutting Tools
6. Glue Sticks and Masking Tape
7. Sketchbooks
8. Writing and Drawing Utensils
9. Erasers and Sharpeners
C. Common Graduation Requirements for Art Schools
1. Apprenticeship or Internship
2. Thesis
3. Junior or Senior Project
4. Art Capstone
D. Common Ways to Fulfill an Art Capstone or Project
1. Art Portfolios
2. Research Papers/Projects
3. Presentations/Exhibitions
4. Essays
5. Art Projects
