Featured Online School

The Art Institutes offers real-world education programs in design, the culinary arts, media arts, and fashion. Here you'll get the competitive edge to succeed as a creative professional - in your field of interest! Online programs also satisfy a need for budding creative professionals.

Featured Online School

Earn your Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication degree with a concentration in
WEB DESIGN!
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For almost 70 years, Harrington has focused on preparing leaders in today's interior design industry. You can be one of those people. Click here to learn how!

Explore your artistic creativity with all that technology has to offer. Click here to learn more.

NYFA offers workshops in Filmmaking, Digital Filmmaking, Acting, Producing, Editing, Music Video, Screenwriting, 3D Animation, and Movie Camps as well as Bachelor of Arts and Master of Fine Arts in Filmmaking. Click here to find a location near you!

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The Creative Student's Guide to Chicago 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
Chicago Art Schools and Art Colleges

by C.J. Gustafson
ArtSchools.com Contributing Writer

Chicago Located where the Chicago River empties into Lake Michigan, the city of Chicago was incorporated in 1833. It grew from a small settlement to the present-day home of 2,896,016 residents in an area of 222 sq. miles, according to the 2000 census.

Initially called the "Windy City" for the hot air from political fire-breathers, the moniker has become most often associated with the brisk wind that comes off the lake throughout the year, and is most noticeable in winter. Winter temperatures can be very chilly, and although summers are warm, the extremes average out to around 50° F.

Once the home of notorious gangster Al Capone, Chicago has since earned a reputation as an internationally recognized cultural center known for many things, including an active theatre scene; shopping along the Magnificent Mile; art, science, and history museums; and interesting temporary exhibits.

Chicago boasts a rich history of firsts, notable accomplishments, and famous citizens. And it has a wealth of attractions that are just plain fun. Any list of attractions is bound to be incomplete; however, some of the more notable places in the city include the Chicago Board of Trade, the Field Museum, Frank Lloyd Wright's home, Navy Pier, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Chicago Public Library, which is the largest in the world.

Chicago has world-famous museums as well. The Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum is the only accredited Latino museum in the United States. The Museum of Contemporary Art draws thousands of visitors every year, as does the Art Institute of Chicago. Others include DuSable Museum of African American History, A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum Gallery, the Terra Museum of American Art, the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum, and the Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art, created to recognize the artistic work of individuals who demonstrate little influence from the mainstream art world. If you still have time on your hands after viewing Chicago's extensive list of museums, the city is also home to over 80 galleries and artists' studios.

Chicago Art Schools Architecture also is an important part of Chicago's cultural identity. The Chicago Architecture Foundation is dedicated to advancing public interest and education in architecture and related design. Their exhibits, workshops and events are of special interest to architecture students, as is the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design.

Everywhere one goes in Chicago, opportunities to view and appreciate art abound. The city is filled with public art and it is not unusual to see painters, photographers and other visual artists working in the parks, on the streets, and at numerous locations around the city. Walk down the right streets in the right neighborhood and you will come upon the stunning mural images of Jeff Zimmerman. Grand in scale, these murals can run as long as half a block. The murals, which include buildings and people from the communities, provide a frank but beautiful look at life in Chicago.

Nearly 20 distinct neighborhoods, each with its own identity and unique appeal contribute to Chicago's cultural mix. "Chicago is like its own little world," said Julie Compton, an arts student who resides in the city. "There are communities from all backgrounds and more things to do than you can fit in a lifetime. The city is filled with unbelievable architecture, historical places, famous celebrities, great shopping, nightlife, parks, sports, art, theater, and of course the Lake."

With all this to see and explore, it can be overwhelming to newcomers. But the city has developed a unique way to help visitors and new residents learn about the area. Chicago Greeter is a free service designed to help visitors become familiar with the city of Chicago and its many neighborhoods. Participants are paired with a local individual who is experienced in guiding people through the city and its wealth of attractions.

Art Schools and Programs

In keeping with a world famous cultural center, Chicago has many art schools and educational opportunities for visual arts students. The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Harrington College of Design, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Beverly Arts Center, the International Academy of Design and Technology - Chicago, and the American Academy of Art are all arts-driven schools located in the Windy City.

In addition, Chicago State University has a department of art and design, as does De Paul University.

Chicago visual art As a combined group, these schools offer a diverse array of visual arts educational options including Art and Fine Art degrees, Photography degrees, Graphic Design degrees, Interior Design degrees, Advertising degrees, and degree programming for students pursuing architecture, web design, fashion careers and other arts employment.

There are also many schools, studios, and art centers that offer classes and workshops. The American Floral Art School, the Creative Essence Studio, and Hinton's Industrial Arts School are examples of more arts education choices.

On a post-secondary level, the Chicago Academy for the Arts is a college-preparatory, high school geared toward students of the arts.

With so much to experience, this selection is merely an overview of the city. Chicago's cultural, educational and employment opportunities for visual arts students are some of the finest in the world.