At Large  September 7, 2021  Art & Object Staff

The 5 Best Art Schools in the West

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Author: chandra
FLCKR/ Dale Cruse

In today's world, professionals versed in art and design are in high demand, particularly those who can use their skills in both the fine arts and commercial worlds. Those looking to embark on a career in the arts have a huge range of options for their training and education. Once again, Art & Object delves into the top art schools and programs in the U.S. From public universities with state-of-the-art studios to solely arts-focused colleges with flourishing overseas programs, this list runs the gamut. With this list, we are looking at the West.

This final top five, showcasing the best art schools of the American West, is distinct in a couple of ways. This list includes some of the most diverse schools of this series.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, a majority of the schools in this listing are located in California and are situated in or just outside of Los Angeles. Therefore many of these schools boast a deep connection with the LA art scene and its countless student opportunities. Some of these schools also stand out in terms of the size of their visual and performing arts departments and this seems to correlate with a higher degree of general departmental resources.

To determine its final rankings, Art & Object's editorial staff weighed the following factors: degree and curriculum variety, quality of school museums, school renown, tuition cost (undergraduate, graduate, etc. if applicable), employment rate, graduation rate, internship opportunities, student body diversity*, surrounding art scene, cultural opportunities, and student statements. While Art & Object has strived to craft a list in the most objective manner possible, we recognize that measures of "best" could include many other factors. With that said, here are the Art & Object selections of the best art schools in the West.

You can find our rankings for the Southeast, Northeast, Southwest, and Midwest here.

*Editor’s Note: LGBTQ+ individuals may not always be accurately represented in gender data reported by institutions and organizations.
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flickr, Dale Cruse
Reed College main hall brick building
5. Reed College

 

Reed College, of Portland, OR, is the smallest school of this top five with a student population of about 1,400. The Art Program at Reed has been structured in a manner that dually emphasizes art history and studio practice, calling them, “complementary and interrelated disciplines with a shared interest in the art object and its historical and theoretical contexts.” While students may focus on one or the other, they are still required to study both to some extent. Additionally, students from both sides come together to take a junior qualifying and a senior thesis exam.

Studio instruction is offered across seven types of media and art history courses cover regions across the globe and span from ancient to contemporary periods. According to the school, Reed’s Art Program produces approximately fifteen to twenty thesis students each year, ranking far above the college average. These students are required to work closely with a faculty advisor, typically meeting once a week throughout the year.

Reed is by far the most expensive school in this top five, with a tuition of $75,600. That said, about 58 percent of students at Reed do receive financial aid. The school also boasts a moderately high—compared to other schools listed—graduation rate of 78 percent as of the 2018-19 school year.

As is the case with most schools in today’s world, Reed has dedicated space and time to diversity statements and initiatives. Uniquely, Reed has an online resource guide for undocumented and immigrant community members. This suggests that the school would be a relatively safe and inviting place for such individuals.

Interestingly, Reed Alumni fill the ranks of typical gallery and museum directors and curators as well as the not-so-typical role of NASA designers.

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