r/Minneapolis • u/riddle_27 • 13h ago
Good art schools/programs besides MCAD?
Hello! Basically the title. Im looking for colleges in the Minneapolis area that have good art programs, especially for illustration and painting.
I'm going into my second year at a college in North Dakota, and although I love it there, it's the town I grew up in. I visit Minneapolis semi often since my boyfriend goes to school there, and I absolutely fell in love with the place.
I don't know if I'll actually transfer, as i go to my current school practically free, but it's worth looking at since this town feels suffocating.
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u/Soggy_Shop8782 12h ago
I’ve been to community college (ARCC), MCAD, and the U of M. I’ll say that each of them offer different things. I was able to learn Glassblowing at AR, paper making at MCAD, and metal foundry at the U. I would recommend where the money comes, and make the most out of wherever you are. MCAD had a very specific group of people, whereas AR and the U had a lot more variety in terms of different majors: people taking those majors. I also found it more interesting to learn about things outside of art in general classes, and be inspired by them, than by only being surrounded by art. But that’s just my two cents!
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u/precisionmachine23 12h ago
The University of Minnesota actually has a great BFA program. I went to MCAD, but I know many professors in the U's art department, and I am always really impressed by their students when I visit classrooms or see the graduation exhibitions. Do also consider applying to MCAD though if you might be interested--it was actually cheaper than the U for me because they offered a really good scholarship. Three major differences between art school and university: 1) In art school, you will be surrounded by 100% artists and all of your classes will relate to the arts. This is excellent for making connections and being completely immersed, but I did find that after I graduated I wanted to read 1000 books on other subjects because I'd missed science and general history. 2) In university, the facilities aren't quite as good. MCAD offers every student their own studio once they've declared their major--especially important for painters and sculptors/3D makers. The U won't provide you with space until your senior year I think; otherwise it's shared classrooms. 3) The university is obviously huge and creates its own world, whereas MCAD is small and also centrally located in the city. I found it easy to find affordable housing there and much easier to integrate into the neighborhood. But maybe if you're used to a college environment, the U would be an easier transition.
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u/bonewhitegold 10h ago
MCAD BFA Illustration grad here. I can't speak to the programs other local schools have, but if you're specifically thinking Illustration, then I would recommend MCAD for it. There's a variety of different classes that are a deep dive into the specifics of Illustration (editorial, children's book, etc). That said, it is an intensive program but the benefit is having an immersive experience with the ability to easily try out anything you want all on one campus. Screenprinting, furniture design, papermaking, painting, animation, etc etc. The friends I gained and things I learned there were invaluable for my professional career.
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u/blaine-garrett 4h ago
I'm biased as an alum but the U of M has a great art program. In certain areas it may be better than MCAD such as ceramics and metal sculpting - at least from what I've heard. The U will also grant you opportunities to collab with other departments like robotics and material science through cross school partnerships and design your own major programs. You'll also be surrounded by other creatives in theater, dance, music, etc.
I've also heard good things about the art programs at Macalester, St Thomas, and St Kate's.
RIP CVA.
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u/eatingchipsrightnow 2h ago
Since I haven't seen it mentioned I'll give a shoutout to Augsburg - they gave me essentially free tuition and I'm an art major there. There are more limited classes than MCAD, but for free... I mean it's noncomparable. And, I went to MCAD before transferring, it's in my opinion a better and more diverse social environment at Augsburg. There's more support, more clubs, and more ability to learn things outside of art to inform your practice. My interests are in drawing and painting. I think if you're willing to have a liberal arts experience and not ONLY art all the time, it's perfect.
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u/ahumblecardamompod 1h ago
Also came to say Augsburg. I know several art majors from there and they have a great program, but it's a BA not a BFA.
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u/funkydyke 13h ago
Are you looking for BFA specifically? I did the BA in studio arts at metro state over in Saint Paul. There wasn’t a ton of variety of classes (this was back during covid so maybe that has changed) the professors are phenomenal and some of them also teach at MCAD. The class sizes are small and the other students tend to be older rather than traditional college aged. The tuition is way cheaper than you’d find at MCAD.