Attending an art school is an excellent way for people in North Carolina to strengthen their skills, learn new skills and begin a career in the field of art.
Finding a school is the first step to beginning an art career, and aspiring artists in North Carolina will have no problem finding one.
There is a vast array of exceptional art schools in the state, and following are some of the best.
Schools of Art
Below are some of the biggest and best Art Schools in Carolina.
The Art Institute at Charlotte
The Art Institute at Charlotte, accredited with the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, offers many splendid art programs including illustration, web design, web animation, graphic design, fashion design, culinary arts, photography, and accessory design. People, who would like to find out about the institute and its programs, can do so by visiting the school’s website at-http://www.artinstitutes.edu/charlotte/. They can also request information by calling-704-357-8020 or writing to the 2110 block of Water Ridge Parkway in Charlotte, North Carolina, 28217.
Students seeking admission to the institute will need to pass an interview with a school adviser, and they may need to submit a portfolio depending upon the program they wish to enter. Portfolios ideally should consist of at least 15 original works of art that reflect the student’s chosen career path, and should also be recent works. Portfolios can include such works as drawings, sketches, writings or photos, and they should include at least seven observational pieces.
Students, who wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree of arts in interior design, will need to complete a curriculum consisting of many different basic education and career-related course work. The general education courses included within the curriculum are the following classes-Effective Speaking, Composition, Composition and Research, College Math, Professional and Technical Writing, Creative Writing, Twentieth Century Poetry, Topics in American Literature, Topics in British Literature, Women in Literature, Literature in Film, Conversational French, Community Service, Leadership, Survey of World Religions, Aesthetics, Ethics, Conversational Spanish, History, two Social and Behavioral Science courses, one additional Mathematics course, two Natural Science courses, Student Success Seminar, Computer Applications, and Career Development.
The career-related courses included within the curriculum are as follows-Drawing and Perspective, Fundamentals of Design, Image Manipulation, Photography Techniques, Basic Drafting, Perspective for Interior Design, Textiles for Interior Design, Residential Working Drawings, Rendering, Product Knowledge, History of Interiors I and II, 3-D Design, Lighting, Space Planning, Universal Design, Architectural Detailing, Computer-Aided Drafting and Design, Residential Design, Commercial Design, International Residential Codes, Portfolio Development, Commercial Working Drawings, Professional Practices, Codes and Standards, Project Documentation, Modern Art and Architecture, Retail Design, Healthcare Design, Historic Preservation, Hospitality Design, Accessory Design, Advanced Computer-Aided Drafting and Design, Graduation Project Research, Graduation Project Presentation, Graduation Project Design, Adaptive Reuse, Advanced Textiles for Interior Design, Survey of Art History I and II, and Internship.
The Art Institute of Raleigh Durham
The Art Institute of Raleigh Durham, also accredited with the Accrediting Council on Independent Colleges and Schools, also offers various art programs including graphic arts, web animation, web design, illustration, fashion design, interior design, and photography. Those people, who would like to pursue a career in any of these fields, can find out how to apply to the school by calling-919-317-3050 or by writing to-410, Blackwell Street, Suite 200, Durham, North Carolina, 27701. They can also chat with a live operator online at-www.artinstitutes.edu/raleigh-durham/.
The admission requirements of the institute of Raleigh Durham vary depending upon the program that students may choose. However, all students must submit to an interview with a school official, and many programs require students to submit a portfolio of their best work along with their applications. Portfolios should consist of about 15 pieces of work, with half of them being observational. These works can be in the form of drawings, sketches, photos, slides or essays.
Those students, who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree of arts in web design must fulfill the following general education requirements-Sociology, Economics, Effective Speaking, English I through III, World Civilizations I and II, Quantitative Literacy, Statistics, Psychology, Science/Environment and Society, Science/Technology and Society, Nutrition, Student Success Seminar, Computer Applications, Career Development, and Principles of Marketing.
They must also fulfill the following program-related requirements-Drawing and Perspective, Fundamentals of Design, Typography, Color Theory, Image Manipulation, Design Layout, Art and Design Concepts, Digital Illustration, Law and the Graphic Arts, Corporate Identity, Introduction to Audio and Video, Introduction to Authoring, History of Motion Media and Mass Communication, Advanced Image Manipulation, Digital Visual Composition, Digital Typography, Intermediate Authoring, Introduction to Scripting Languages, Introduction to User Centered Design, Intermediate Scripting Languages, Usability Testing, Designing for Dynamic Websites, Interactive Motion Scripting, Designing for Server Side Technology, Digital Animation, Project Management, Audio for Interactive Design, Desktop Video, Motion Graphics, Advanced Scripting Languages, E-Learning Design, Advanced Authoring, Special Topics, Motion Graphics II, E-Learning Applications, Senior Project Research, Portfolio Preparation, Senior Project Application and Defense, Senior Seminar, Portfolio, and Internship.
Colleges and Universities
Below are Colleges and Universities that offer Art Courses, Degrees and Certifications.
Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem State University, accredited with the Commission on Colleges, offers spectacular programs in studio art, graphics design and music for aspiring artists. Those people, who would like to study in one of these fields, can contact the university at-336-750-2000 or by writing to-601 South Martin Luther King Junior Drive, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27110. They can also find out all about the university and its programs by visiting the university’s website at-http://www.wssu.edu.
Those people, who want to earn their bachelor’s of art degree in studio art, will need to fulfill many different general education requirements as follows-four Written Communication electives, four Critical Thinking electives, two Scientific Literacy courses, two Quantitative Literacy courses, Critical Reading or Oral Communication or Information Literacy, Literature, History, Social and Behavioral Science, Natural Science, Mathematics and Quantitative Logic, Foreign Language, Culture, Ethics, Political Science, and Liberal Learning Seminar.
They will also need to fulfill the following studio art requirements-Drawing I, 2D Design, Introduction to Computer Art and Design, 3D Design, 4D Design, Art History I and II, African-American Art, Painting I and II, Sculpture I and II, Ceramics I and II, Figure Drawing, Digital Photography or Traditional Black and White Photography, Fiber Design, Printmaking I through IV, Senior Art Studio, and Studio Art Seminar.
Meredith College
Meredith College, located in Raleigh and accredited with the Commission on Colleges, offers outstanding programs in art education, dance, fashion design, graphics design, interior design, music, music education, studio art and theater. Prospective students, who would like complete details on any of these programs, can read about them on the college’s website at-http://www.meredith.edu, or they can request a catalog by writing to-3800 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27607. They can also call the college’s information desk at-919-760-2874.
Students, who choose to major in studio art, must complete the following general education requirements-US Perspectives, Global Perspectives, Ethical Perspectives, English Composition I and II, two Foreign Language courses, Aesthetics, Religion, Western Civilization or History in the 20th Century, Literature, two Social and Behavioral Science courses, Cultural elective, Mathematics, Laboratory Science, Natural Science, two Health and Physical Education courses, Writing Communication, and Oral Communication.
They must also complete the following art-related requirements-Figure Drawing, Interactive Design, Professional Studio Practice, Art History elective, Photography I and II, Ceramics I and II, Painting I, Techniques of Illustration, Fibers, Topics in Art and Architecture, Introduction to Research in Art, Figure Drawing, Topics in Pre-Modern Art History, Photo Techniques and Processes, Printmaking, Sculpture, Digital Photography, Junior and Senior Research in Art, Directed Independent Study, and Internship.
Western Carolina University
Western Carolina University in Cullowhee offers several extraordinary art programs including studio art, art education, art history, graphic design and interior design. Those persons, who would like to begin a career in any of these fields, can find out how to apply to Western Carolina by calling-828-227-7317 or by visiting them online at-http://www.wcu.edu. They may also write to them at-102 Cordelia Camp, Cullowhee, North Carolina, 28723.
Students, who want to earn their bachelor’s of fine arts degree in art education, will need to complete many different basic skills and career preparation courses. Following are the basic skills classes that they will need to take-Composition I and II, Math Concepts, Health, First Year Seminar, two Social Science courses, Communications, two Physical and Biological Science courses, History, Humanities, World Culture, and one additional basic skills elective.
The career preparation classes that they will need to take are as follows-Art History Survey I and II, Introduction to Drawing, 2D Design, Fine and Performing Arts, History and Philosophy of Art Education, 3D Design, Introduction to Painting, Introduction to Printmaking, Introduction to Sculpture, Photography, Introduction to Ceramics, Introduction to Education, Understanding Learning Development, two Art History courses, Communication Design, two Studio Specialty Area Art courses, Art Methods of Middle and High School, Modern Art or Contemporary Art, Art Methods of Elementary School, Designing Classroom, Student Teaching (Art), Advanced Studio Course in Specialty Area, Student Teaching Seminar, Student Teaching Supervision, and at least one art-related elective.
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, accredited with the Commission on Colleges, has incredible art programs for aspiring artists including art, art education, theater and music. For people to find out complete details concerning any of these programs, they can visit the university’s website at-http://www.uncp.edu. They can also request information about the programs by phoning the school at-910-521-6000 or by writing to them at-Post Office Box 1510, Pembroke, North Carolina, 28372.
Those students, who choose to earn their bachelor’s degrees of art in art, will need to fulfill the following basic education requirements-Freshman Seminar, English Composition I and II, Literature, Communications, two Foreign Language courses, Algebra I and II, Geometry, one additional Math course, Life or Biological Science, Physical Science, Science lab, US History, and one additional Social Science course.
Students must also fulfill the following program requirements-Elements of Design, Three-Dimensional Design, Introduction to Sculpture, Ceramics/Introduction to Handbuilding, Introduction to Drawing, Introduction to Painting, Introduction to Printmaking, Introduction to Digital Arts, Survey of Art I/Ancient through Medieval, Survey of Art II/Renaissance through Contemporary, Figure Drawing, Intermediate Drawing, Intermediate Digital Arts, Professional Art Practices, and Contemporary Art.
St. Andrews University
St. Andrews University, located in Laurinburg and accredited by the Commission on Colleges, has superb programs in studio art, theater arts and game art and design for people pursuing these fields. Prospective students can find out how to enroll to St. Andrews by visiting their website at-http://www.sapc.edu or by calling the main desk at-910-277-5555. They may also request information by writing to St. Andrews at-1700 Dogwood Mile, Laurinburg, North Carolina, 28352.
Students, who choose to major in visual and performing arts with a concentration in studio arts, will need to fulfill the following foundational requirements-three English courses, Foreign Language, Algebra I and II, Geometry, three Social Science courses, and three Science courses.
They will also need to fulfill the following key requirements-Introduction to Theater or Introduction to Film and Television, Music Fundamentals or Introduction to Music Literature, Art History I and II, 2-D Design, Drawing I, Sculpture I through III, Painting I, Computer Art I and II, Seminar in Modern Art, Advanced Studio, Internship, Art Portfolio, and Senior Show.
Other Colleges for Art Students in North Carolina
There are many educational choices and opportunities for art students in the state of North Carolina. While the schools listed above are some of the leading schools in the state, there are several more that are worth investigating. Following are some other colleges and universities that offer remarkable art programs for aspiring artists.
- Appalachian State University-Boone
- Methodist College-Fayetteville
- Barton College-Wilson
- Mars Hill College-Mars Hill
- Brevard College-Brevard
- High Point University-High Point
- Campbell University-Buies Creek
- Guilford College-Greensboro
- Catawba College-Salisbury
What Every Art Student in North Carolina Should Know
The admission requirements for the various schools in North Carolina vary from one school to another; however, there are some common requirements that every new art student should be aware of. Following are some of these common requirements.
1. Standard Application/Fees and Transcripts
2. Various Placement Tests
3. First Year Orientation or Tour
4. Interview and Essay
5. Portfolio (many art programs)
6. Audition (music and theater)
7. Letters of Recommendation (some programs)
8. Work Experience (some programs)
The necessary materials and tools, that students will need, also vary from one program to another and from one institution to another. However, there are some basic materials and tools that every art student should have, and following are these tools and materials.
1. Sketchbooks and Tracing Pads
2. Writing and Drawing Utensils
3. Various Erasers
4. Cutting Tools (scissors and knives)
5. Measuring Tools (tapes, rulers and t-square)
6. Sharpeners
7. Masking Tape and Glue Sticks
8. Digital Camera
9. Painting Supplies (brushes, palettes, knives and water containers)
Finally, most every art program requires students to complete either an art capstone, a thesis or a junior/senior project at the end of their program. These projects demonstrate what students have learned, and the skills they have acquired during the program.
Students can accomplish this in many different ways depending upon the program and the professor.
However, some common ways they complete this requirement is through portfolios, research projects, presentations, art projects, essays, and exhibitions.
