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Sort By: [Date] [Major] [Rating] Art & Design Department  Major Salary, Salary Trend, Satisfaction, Unemployment Quite Bright Decide if you fall into 1 of 2 art camps. The first, that art is a romantic expressive experience, and the artist is an exalted and detached special being that should be compensated and supported by society-that way they can remain isolated and produce work at will, presented to the world when ever they need validation. The second, is one where the traditional role of the artist is challenged; art is about a conversation with the viewer, and about participation, involvement, and most importantly about questioning where art resides in contemporary contexts. At KCAI, you will find that professors most often choose sides, but there are a few that are in the middle. Sculpture is a bit antiquated; the chair is a hardcore romantic that does not really get contemporary practice, and they just retired their reigning abstract-expressionist hold-over whose mantra is "just make some art, you'll figure it out later!" But even this department is in transition, they are supposed to hire someone new next year. If you like to think about art in terms of of ideas or concepts, find the programs and departments that support that type of art. If you just want to participate in keeping some romantic tradition alive and not question where that tradition sits in these contemporary times, you can find instructors that will support that also. Campus Aesthetics: A+, Extracurricular Activities: D- Have a Question? Your Response/Question:     To be informed when someone replies to your comment. (private)  More →  Aug 22 2008 4th Year Male -- Class 2008    Forward  Blog it! Blog about this comment from your webpage or Blog, or MySpace account: Just copy and paste! <script src='sr_comment.js?sckey=53736&uid=2580'></script> <a href='http://www.studentsreview.com' style='font-size:8pt;'>Data Source: StudentsReview!</a> Rate this comment: Useless (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Helpful       Save   Unknown  Major Salary, Salary Trend, Satisfaction, Unemployment Quite Bright KCAI provides great opportunities on many different levels-the departments are so different philosophically and historically it would be a mistake to sum up the school as either good or bad.The school, like many, is also in a transition as older professors are retiring and a new crop of contemporary, energetic young instructors take their place. I majored in Sculpture, and quickly learned that if you just stay sequestered in your department and traditional medium you will miss out on what is going on in contemporary arts.I took painting, new media and inter-disciplinary electives-which really informed my approach. Students do not have to paint in the painting department, it is anything goes as long as it is intelligent, well crafted and conceptually compelling and sound. The same goes for other departments, although Ceramics and Sculpture continue to be quite traditional (i.e. object oriented). The greatest development at KCAI is the 3 year old Interdisciplinary department-it is the most contemporary and cutting edge, students have to apply to get in, they only take a few students each year.They are making great work there, and the head of the department is amazing.The way to get the most out of KCAI is to get out of your department, create as many relationships with instructors as you can, take electives-Instructors teach there not because of the low pay scale but because the students are so amazing-they could make a lot more $$ at a state school. One other thing, the art history department is exceptional-very diverse and lots of committed, enthusiastic instructors.If you think you just want to do studio and skip art history, DO NOT ENROLL AT KCAI! Go to a state school and let someone who cares come instead. The world does not need any more artists that do not know their predecessors. Individual Value: A+, Faculty Accessibility: F Have a Question? Your Response/Question:     To be informed when someone replies to your comment. (private)  More →  Aug 21 2008 4th Year Male -- Class 2008    Forward  Blog it! Blog about this comment from your webpage or Blog, or MySpace account: Just copy and paste! <script src='sr_comment.js?sckey=53734&uid=2580'></script> <a href='http://www.studentsreview.com' style='font-size:8pt;'>Data Source: StudentsReview!</a> Rate this comment: Useless (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Helpful       Save   Art & Design Department  Major Salary, Salary Trend, Satisfaction, Unemployment Quite Bright Although I am from Kansas City, it was a hard decision to stay in KC and go to college. I thought I wanted to explore either coast (specifically Boston), but I really found a gem at Kansas City Art Institute. Every time I went on the campus before I was a student, I was treated warmly and really felt a part of the community. As a student, I was recognized as an active member socially and artistically. At times it was even hard to let myself fail because there were so many people holding me accountable for my success. I majored in printmaking and at first I regretted going into the department because of the apathetic senior class. My class was so determined to understand traditional and contemporary printmaking and really leave our mark on the school and our world of printmaking. We bonded and truly enjoyed ourselves in and out of the classroom. It also took me a while to adjust to the teaching style from the teachers in printmaking, but I learned how to communicate with the three main teachers and get what I needed out of each of them, without getting frustrated. I think it would have been so easy to want to transfer out of the department and even the school based on a couple of peoples' attitudes. After realizing that I make my own experiences and I will make my education worth while, I opened myself up to learning so much from my studio and liberal arts teachers. I took a variety of studio electives in various departments and always looked at them as a way to better my own personal work...not just make the work required to get an 'A' in the class. Additionally, I come from a lower to middle class family and I truly have minimal debt in comparison to how expensive the school is. I was really afraid of debt while in school so I tried my best to always apply for outside scholarships, even when I was already a student. I also consulted the financial aid department every year to make sure that I was getting all the aid that was due to me from the government as well as institutionally. I worked full-time throughout winter and summer break so I could have money to pay for school out of pocket and even started making a couple of payments to my loans before I graduated. I consolidated my loans right after I graduated, so I have a locked in low interest rate. The financial aid situation is all about keeping good communication with the financial aid office to have a realistic view on what you're getting yourself into. I know this is a lot of sporadic commenting, but if I can summarize: most people that have negative experiences are negative people and 'want, want, want' with out putting forth the effort to 'EARN'. There is a lot of sacrifice that goes into going to art college that most likely doesn't happen at regular university. Before choosing to go to a specialized school, ask yourself if you are willing to put in what it takes to rise to the top? Not just while in school, but after you graduate. There are so many successful alumni that have come from KCAI...they didn't get where they are by just showing up to class and commencement ceremony. It has only been a year since I've graduated and I know if I want to work in the world that borders fine art and commercial art (printmaking), I have to work hard to be different. I am not delusional and think that someone is going to find a dream job for me. KCAI gave me a great education and perception on life as an artist. Don't be persuaded against the school without getting the whole picture. Useful Schoolwork: A+, Perceived Campus Safety: B- Have a Question? Your Response/Question:     To be informed when someone replies to your comment. (private)  More →  Aug 18 2008 4th Year Female -- Class 2007    Forward  Blog it! Blog about this comment from your webpage or Blog, or MySpace account: Just copy and paste! <script src='sr_comment.js?sckey=53633&uid=2580'></script> <a href='http://www.studentsreview.com' style='font-size:8pt;'>Data Source: StudentsReview!</a> Rate this comment: Useless (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Helpful       Save   Design Arts - Industrial Design/Graphic Design/etc  Major Salary, Salary Trend, Satisfaction, Unemployment Bright I loved my college experience. There is no way to grow as an artist unless you are surrounded by other dedicated talented artists and educators. That was the most valuable part of KCAI. Foundations is especially rewarding, as is the liberal arts courses. If you're looking to be an illustrator like myself, that program is no longer available there, and was undergoing a painful transformation while I was there. That is my only regret about my school. The remaining departments are flourishing, and are relatively unique, in that they are mostly specialized fine art departments. Not all art schools are set up this way. They're usually dominated by commercial oriented departments. I tell my family that being at kcai was a little like being at Hogwart's as a wizard. It was so refreshing to not be an outcast like I was my whole life, and realize that there were other openminded, creative people that think like me. The work I was doing was so challenging, especially when I got there but it was learning that I could do magic, and that if I kept at it, there would be no limits to what I could see and what I could do. I was truly blessed to be offered need-based scholarships so I could afford to attend. I don't think there was another school that would help me with that. Starting Job: substitute teacher, Preparedness: B, Reputation: C Have a Question? Your Response/Question:     To be informed when someone replies to your comment. (private) Aug 17 2008 Alumnus Male -- Class 2000   Forward  Blog it! Blog about this comment from your webpage or Blog, or MySpace account: Just copy and paste! <script src='sr_comment.js?sckey=53617&uid=2580'></script> <a href='http://www.studentsreview.com' style='font-size:8pt;'>Data Source: StudentsReview!</a> Rate this comment: Useless (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Helpful       Save      Prev    Select Page:  1  2  3  4    Next

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