The proper education is a terrific investment that will last people their entire lifetime.
With that said, it is essential for aspiring artists in Virginia to take extra care when choosing a school to obtain their training.
When people choose the perfect school for their educational path, they will be on the right road to a successful and exciting career.
Following are some superb art schools in Virginia that can help make people’s futures bright and satisfying.
Schools of Art and Design
Below are some wonderful Art Schools in Virginia that offer courses for all types of Artists.
The Art Institute of Virginia Beach
Accredited with the Commission on Colleges, The Art Institute of Virginia Beach offers a wide range of splendid art programs for those people pursuing art careers. Some of the many programs offered at the institute include interior design, graphic design, advertising, fashion retailing, web design, photographic imaging and culinary arts. Students pursuing careers in any of these sectors can contact the institute’s information line for more information at-757-493-6700, or they can write to the campus at-4500 Main Street, Suite 100, Virginia Beach, Virginia, 23462. They can also chat with an operator online at-http://www.artinstitutes.edu/virginia-beach.
Students, who wish to attend The Art Institute of Virginia Beach, must schedule an interview with an admissions official to discuss their educational goals. They must also schedule a tour of the facilities and submit a short essay describing what they want to acquire from their education and training. While a portfolio is not a requirement for admissions, students may choose to submit one.
Those students, who choose to earn their bachelor of fine arts degrees in illustration, must complete the following basic education classes-English I and II, College Geometry or Ideas of Mathematics, Public Speaking, Introduction to Psychology, and four additional Basic Education electives.
They must also complete the following program-oriented classes-Drawing, 2D Design, Introduction to Design Applications, Color Theory, Typography, Digital Photographic Production, Life Drawing, Layout, Computer Illustration, Print Production, Fundamentals of Painting, Digital Photography for Illustration, Art History I through III, Illustration, History of Graphic Design, Digital Ink and Paint, Specialty Illustration, Conceptual Interactive Design, World Civilization and the Arts, Advanced Drawing for Illustrators, Basic Web Design, Intermediate Typography, Intermediate Painting, Media and Advertising Design, Contemporary Art, Editorial Illustration, Storyboarding for Illustration, Conceptual Illustration, Business of Illustration, Product and Licensed Illustration, Advanced Digital Illustration, Advanced Painting, Traditional Illustration Studio, Portfolio Preparation, Professional Practice or Internship, Portfolio, and Art Direction.
The Art Institute of Washington
Also accredited with the Commission on Colleges, The Art Institute of Washington in Arlington also offers a wide array of art programs for prospective artists. Some of the excellent programs offered by the institute are interior design, graphic design, advertising, culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, fashion retailing, video and audio production, game art and design, and web design. If people would like to learn the admissions process of the school, they can do so by phoning them at-703-358-9550 or by visiting the institute online at-www.artinstitutes.edu/arlington/. They can also request information by writing to them at-1820 North Fort Myer Drive, Arlington, Virginia, 22209.
Before students can begin studying at the institute, they must write and submit a short essay describing their career goals and their artistic strengths and weaknesses. They will also need to schedule a tour of the school and an interview with an admissions officer. Although the school does not require portfolios for admissions, they welcome them if students wish to submit them.
Those students, who want to earn their bachelor of fine arts degree in digital filmmaking and video production, will need to fulfill the following basic skills reguirements-English I and II, College Geometry or Ideas of Mathematics, Introduction to Psychology, Public Speaking, and two additional basic skills electives.
They must also fulfill the following program-specific requirements-Introduction to Design Applications, Introduction to Video Production, Digital Photographic Production, History of Motion Media and Mass Communication, Science of Light, Introduction to Audio Production, Digital Cinematography, Color Theory, Design Elements, Introduction to Video Editing, Scriptwriting I and II, 2D Design, Art History I through III, Introduction to Video Lighting, Introduction to Motion Graphics, Fundamentals of Interactive Design, Intermediate Editing, Directing the Documentary, Concepts in Motion Design, Directing the Narrative, Advanced Editing, Television Production, Introduction to Film Studies, Digital Filmmaking on Location, Production Management, Intermediate Motion Graphics, Digital Media for the Web, Media Business and Law, Contemporary Art, Portfolio Preparation, Internship, Professional Opportunities in Digital Filmmaking and Video Production, Senior Portfolio, and at least five additional program-specific electives.
Art Institute of Washington-Northern Virginia
Located in Dulles and also accredited with the Commission on Colleges, The Art Institute of Washington-Northern Virginia has many magnificent art programs including graphic design, advertising, interior design, fashion retailing, media arts and animation, web design and interactive media, and digital image management. If prospective students would like to schedule a tour of the institute, they can do so by calling-571-449-4400, or they can chat with an operator online at-http://www.artinstitutes.edu/northern-virginia/. They can also request information by writing to the school at-21000 Atlantic Blvd., Suite 100, Dulles, Virginia, 20166.
All new students must attend a tour of the school and an interview with an admissions officer to discuss the student’s strengths and weaknesses in the art field, as well as, their goals pertaining to their education and future career. They must also complete a short essay describing the same. While the school does not require a portfolio for admissions, unless students are applying for scholarships, the institute does welcome them if students choose to submit them.
Students, pursuing a bachelor of fine arts degree with a concentration in game art and design, must complete many different general education and program-related courses. The general education courses within the program include the following classes-Applied Mathematics, English I and II, Public Speaking, Topics in World Mythologies, Introduction to Psychology, Critical Thinking, and two additional General Education electives.
The program-related courses within the curriculum include the following classes-Drawing, 2D Design, Introduction to Design Applications, Color Theory, Life Drawing, History of Games as an Art Form, Game Design and Game Play, Fundamentals of Painting, Character and Object Design, Scriptwriting and Storyboarding for Games, Sculpture for Animators, Interactive Experience Design, Art History I through III, Programming for the Artist, Introduction to 3D Modeling, Introduction to 2D Animation, Science of Light, Introduction to Game Scripting or Advanced Drawing for Animators, Intermediate 3D Modeling, Game Modeling, Texturing for Gaming, Developing Rich Media Applications or Advanced 3D Modeling, Background and Environment for Game Design, Interface Design for Games, Introduction to 3D Animation, Intermediate Game Scripting or Intermediate 3D Animation, Advanced Game Animation, Level Design I, Interactive Game Prototyping, Level Design II or Advanced 3D Animation, Special Topics, Advanced Game Prototyping, Careers in the Game Industry, Contemporary Art, Portfolio, and at least one additional program-related elective.
Colleges and Universities
Below are some of the most popular Colleges that offer Art Courses, Classes, Degrees and Programs.
Averett University
Averett University in Danville offers outstanding programs in art education, music and theater, accredited by the Commission on Colleges. Those individuals, who desire details pertaining to the university and its programs, can call the school at-434-791-5600 or write to them at-420 West Main Street, Danville, Virginia, 24541. They can also find valuable information online at-http://www.averett.edu/.
Those students, who choose to major in art education, will need to fulfill the following basic education requirements-Introduction to Human Communication, Contemporary Health Problems, Physical Fitness, Developmental Psychology, US History I, Content Area Reading and Language Development, and Introduction to Philosophy.
They must also fulfill the following program-specific requirements-Visual Arts, Basic Drawing, Basic Color and Design, Three-Dimensional Design, Art History/Ancient through Medieval, Painting, Foundations of Education, Education Psychology, Sculpture, Art History/Baroque through Romanticism, Drawing, Methods in Art Education I and II, Curriculum in Grades Pre-K through 6, Teaching Assistant Pre-K through 6, Graphics, Pottery, Senior Seminar, Instruction in Secondary/Pre-K through 12 Education, Secondary/Pre-K through 12 Curriculum, Teaching Assistant Secondary/Pre-K through 12 Education, and Directed Teaching/Seminar in Secondary/Pre-K through 12 Education.
Eastern Mennonite University
Located in Harrisonburg and accredited by the Commission on Colleges, Eastern Mennonite University offers delightful programs in art education, art, music and theater. People, who want to study within any of these areas, can learn how to enroll to the university by calling their general office at-540-432-4000 or by visiting them online at-www.emu.edu/ They may also request information by writing to Eastern Mennonite at-1200 Park Road, Harrisonburg, Virginia, 22802.
Those students, who wish to major in art education, must fulfill a curriculum consisting of several basic skills courses, as well as, many different education-related and art-related courses. The basic skills courses within the program are as follows-Anabaptist Biblical Perspectives, Christian Identity and Witness, Life Wellness, College Writing for Transitions, Speech/Exploring Voice in Vocation, Mathematics Competency, two Writing Intensive electives, two Cross-Cultural electives, Foreign Language, Community Learning, Natural Science, Social and Behavioral Science, Creative Arts, History and Literature, and Senior Seminar.
The education-related and art-related courses within the program include the following classes-Exploring Teaching, Learning/Motivation and Assessment/Pre-K through 6, General Curriculum and Methods for Middle and Secondary Teaching, Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum/6 through 12, Examining Foundations of Education, Effective Teaching Seminar and Portfolio, Elementary Student Teaching/Pre-K through 6, Middle and High-School Teaching/6 through 12, Computers and Instructional Technology in Education, Needs of Diverse Learners, Middle School Curriculum, Foundations of Design, Drawing I, Three-Dimensional Design, Painting, Papermaking or 3D elective, Ceramics, Survey of Western Art, Survey of World Art, Elementary School Art Methods, Secondary School Art Methods, Advanced Drawing, Advanced Ceramics, and Digital Photography.
Emory and Henry College
Emory and Henry College in Emory has exemplary programs in studio art, music and theater, accredited by the Commission on Colleges. Those students in the Emory or surrounding districts can find out how to apply to Emory and Henry by calling their main office at-276-944-4121 or by writing to them at the following address-Post Office Box 947, Emory, Virginia, 24327. They can also find the admissions requirements online at-http://www.ehc.edu/.
Those people, who choose to major in studio art, will need to take all of the following basic skills classes-Written Communication, Quantitative Literacy, Oral Communications, Ethical Reasoning, and Critical Thinking. They must also take the following art-oriented classes-Introduction to Art and Design, Three-Dimensional Design, Drawing, Figure Drawing, Visual Arts Computing, History of Western Art I and II, Painting I, two additional Painting electives or Photography electives or Printmaking electives or Digital Art electives, Art Seminar, Senior Exhibition, Italian Art or other Abroad Art elective, Twentieth-Century Art and Theory, Aesthetics, and at least six additional art-related courses.
Exploring the Many Art Schools in Virginia
People in Virginia, who want to pursue careers in art, have many schools to choose among for their formal education. While the schools listed above are all terrific schools to study within, there are many more for people to consider. Following are some more exceptional art institutions in the state.
- Bluefield College-Bluefield
- Marymount University-Arlington
- Bridgewater College-Bridgewater
- Mary Baldwin College-Staunton
- College of William and Mary-Williamsburg
- Lynchburg College-Lynchburg
- Ferrum College-Ferrum
- James Madison University-Harrisonburg
Proper Preparation for Virginia Art Schools
Becoming an artist requires a certain amount of existing talent and dedication. While the requirements for entry into art schools in Virginia vary depending upon the school that students may choose, there are some common requirements that many of them ask of their students. Following are some of these common requirements.
1. Entry Requirements
a. Standard Application Forms, Enrollment Forms and Fees
b. High-School and Other Applicable Transcripts
c. Placement Tests in Key Areas Such as Math and English
d. Art Portfolios and/or Auditions
e. Letter/s of Recommendation
f. Work/Volunteer Experience
g. Orientation, Tour and/or Interview
h. Essay or Statement of Purpose
2. Program Completion Requirements
a. Apprenticeship or Internship
b. Art Capstone
c. Junior or Senior Thesis
d. Junior or Senior Project
3. Required Basic Art Supplies
a. Sketchbooks, Drawing Pads and/or Tracing Pads
b. Writing and Drawing Utensils
c. Erasers and Sharpeners
d. Masking Tape and Glue Sticks
e. Scissors and X-Acto Knife
f. Measuring Tools
g. Staple Gun or Stapler
h. Basic Paint Supplies
i. Digital Camera
