FAQ For Families

This page is for common questions received from parents and guardians of CAPA's artists. If you require additional information about something you don't see here, you may contact Ms. Haire with additional questions.
Please read this page thoroughly before emailing.

Philadelphia Programs

Out of State Programs (Northeast Coast Only)

• Expectations of Art School: Art school will train you to be a better artist, as long as you do the work and are present at all your studio classes. Will you want to spend 6+ hours a day making art to improve your skills? Do you mind simultaneously taking writing, history, and math classes as well? For an art college degree, called a BFA, you'll have to take other classes while you complete your studio work. You will also meet fellow creatives in this environment. 

• Debt/Money/Assistance: Arts schools are usually private institutions, (think UARTS, Moore, PAFA, etc.) unless you choose to go to a State School's (ie: Temple) art program. Most colleges, private or public, offer scholarships for excellent portfolios and applications, however, even a presidential scholarship can still mean you owe a lot of money come graduation time.
  An example of a cheaper option in Philadelphia would be Tyler, Temple's Art School. If you attended Tyler and are a PA resident, you would pay the cheaper "in-state" tuition rather than the out-of-state tuition. However, because the University isn't solely dedicated to art, sometimes the education isn't as specifically tailored to artists or there may not be as many resources available to the artists.  

• Results of Art School: Some professions (like Art Education, Art Therapy, etc.) require a BFA and a Master's degree to practice in every state. For these professions, attending college is a requirement. After you receive your accreditations, you may apply to get your certification in your area of expertise by state. 

• You will get out what you put into art school: Art School is a grind, but will ultimately improve your drawing and crafting skills. It's very exciting to be around all people who also enjoy art. You may also meet lifelong friends at school. 

Aside from this, Art Schools will help you network with peers and your professors, but networking could also be done outside of school by getting involved with art shows and other community arts-based activities. Sometimes art college professors are fantastic artists, but won't connect with you the same way your high school art teachers do.

College is a more independent undertaking than any other schooling you've had before. It is up to you to attend your classes and go and to forge connections with the necessary people. Doing all that while working a regular job, a work-study job (required if on scholarship,) completing studio/homework, and forging a new social life can be a tall order!

These reasons, and others, are reasons that you need to carefully consider each point for your family. I personally encourage art school if you and your family are serious about improving your skills. Myself, and my peers who attended art college, all currently hold jobs in the arts and were hired after graduation.

Skills get honed at art school, style is found, and the teenage artist really grows into more of a young adult artist with a unique voice in art school.