The sad fact is that while many young people dream of becoming an artist, not everyone can afford it the training usually required. While you might be blessed with talent and creative vision, this does not necessarily mean that you can afford the tuition of a quality art school. Thankfully, many schools have begun to realize this and give full ride scholarships to students demonstrating merit or need—and sometimes, both.
Savannah College of Art and Design
Each year, a small group of talented students who demonstrate need are awarded with four-year full scholarships to the Savannah College of Art and Design. You should not only have a great portfolio, but also an impressive academic record, including high test scores. These scholarships are tuition only—they do not cover art supplies or room and board—though, of course, tuition is the most expensive aspect of attending a school like Savannah College of Art and Design. In addition to Savannah and Atlanta, the college has campuses in France and Hong Kong, making it an attractive option for those already considering studying abroad for a semester or year.
Savannah College of Art and Design 22 E. Lathrop Avenue Savannah, GA 31415 800-869-7223 scad.edu
Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is the only undergraduate art school in the United States that gives each of its students a full-ride scholarship for all four years. For this reason—combined with the fact that it is located in New York City, which alone presents myriad opportunities for up-and-coming artists—the school is highly competitive, only accepting a tiny percentage of its applicants each year. Make sure your grades are good, and your portfolio is even better. Nick Mauss, Donald Baechler and R.B. Kitaj all studied here.
Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art 30 Cooper Square New York, NY 10003-7120 212-353-4100 cooper.edu
California College of the Arts
California College of the Arts is known for giving full ride scholarships to qualified students who can demonstrate both talent and need. For the 2009-2010 academic year, the school gave out more than $19 million in financial aid. Here, students can choose from such majors as film, ceramics and sculpture, as well as two Bay Area campuses, in Oakland and San Francisco.
California College of the Arts 5212 Broadway Oakland, CA 94618-1426 510-594-3600 cca.edu
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References
- “The Insider’s Guide to the Colleges, 2010”; Yale Daily News; 2010
Writer Bio
Zach Feral has been writing and editing professionally since 2003. He has a B.A. in philosophy from the New School for Social Research in New York and pursued postgraduate studies at the Open University in the U.K. His writing has appeared in numerous international publications, including "Dazed & Confused," "Artforum" and "Think Again."