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The Creative Student's Guide to Charlotte Art Education and Careers

...for students of art, design, fashion design, photography, film/video, advertising, interior design and other creative fields.

Visit our Complete Directory of
Charlotte Art Schools and Art Colleges.

by C.J. Gustafson
ArtSchools.com Contributing Writer

art schools in Charlotte If you dislike weather extremes, Charlotte is a good place to be, with its warm Mediterranean-like climate that provides hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. The city was founded in 1755 where two Native American trading paths crossed, and today it is home to more than a half million people, spread out over 242.9 sq. miles. As the largest city in the state, it is considered the economic and cultural center of the Carolinas. It is the nation's second largest banking center, after New York City. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the city's system of greenways, including Freedom Park, which allows for year-round walking, jogging and cycling. Indoor entertainment includes cultural attractions like the Mint Museum, America's oldest museum, built in 1836 as the first branch of the U.S. Mint.

The Mint Museum has two locations in the city, and in addition to exhibiting art, crafts, and historical pieces, it also offers art courses and workshops for adults and children. Another venue to view art in Charlotte is the Afro-American Cultural Center. As the name implies, this uptown museum showcases African-American performing and visual arts.

Galleries Galore

While Charlotte's museums offer a worthwhile collection of treasured artworks, it is the galleries that provide the life and breath of the city's art scene. The North Davidson Arts District is home to numerous outstanding galleries and hosts the NoDa First Friday Gallery Crawl. Some notable stops on this monthly tour include the spacious Hart-Witzen Gallery and the ever-popular Center of the Earth gallery, which was voted best gallery in Charlotte three years in a row. Also in this area is the Blue Pony Gallery & Press, a venue focused on promoting the art of printing. Owner/artist Mary Lou Sussman teaches print classes and rents out the printing press she keeps at the gallery.

Although not on the NODA crawl, the uptown area of Charlotte also has some fine galleries, including Hodges Taylor and Joie Lassiter galleries. The Farvan International Gallery features art, craft, textiles, and jewelry from around the world, and The Light Factory is a non-collecting photographic center that offers exhibits and educational opportunities. This plentiful offering of galleries provides art students and enthusiasts with seemingly endless opportunities to learn about art and to view the work of emerging and established artists.

design degrees in Charlotte Another example of Charlotte's commitment to the arts is its wealth of public art displays. According to Krista Terrell of the Arts & Science Council (ASC), Mecklenburg County and the City of Charlotte adopted ordinances that appropriate 1% of eligible capital improvement project funds for public art. The ASC promotes a walking tour of these works, which include exhibits of sculpture, paintings, architecture and other visuals arts at over 20 locations across the city.

Visual Arts Education

When it comes to visual arts education in Charlotte, much of the teaching is done in these galleries, arts centers and small studios. In addition to those programs mentioned already, the Community School of the Arts Visual Art Program, Carolyns Art Studio, McColl Center for Visual Arts, and Braitman Studio are examples of more options for those interested in drawing, painting, ceramics and other visual arts education. These non-degree offerings provide students an opportunity to study with professional artists who earn their living from painting, sculpting, design and photography careers.

Formal educational facilities include the The Art Institute of Charlotte and the University of North Carolina Charlotte's Art Department, College of Architecture and Belk College of Business. These institutions offer opportunities for students interested in marketing and advertising careers, as well as an extensive list of degree programs for art and design students, including graphic design degrees, fashion degrees, and interior design degrees. Faculty members at the schools include many well known American and international artists.

art student in Charlotte Employment Opportunities

Graduates of visual arts programs have lucrative employment opportunities right in the Charlotte metropolitan area. In addition to the many galleries, studios, and art schools, the city also boasts over 40 architectural and interior design firms and numerous advertising agencies.

Charlotte has a healthy, thriving arts community and numerous opportunities for visual arts students. With so much to choose from, it's fortunate that the city's mild weather and sponsored arts events allow for year-round exploration and enjoyment.