Art schools are educational institutions in either primary, secondary, undergraduate, or graduate level that focus on graphic design, illustration, painting, photography, and sculptures. Large institutions offer a major degree in visual arts. This degree is part of a broad-based program in liberal arts and science. Most accredited colleges offer Bachelor of Fine Arts or Fine Art B.A. To obtain an authentic college or university degree from a professional art and design educations, verify either accredited by National Association of Schools of Art and Design or education offered through a member of Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design. Those art school accreditation institutions provide accreditation to each institution after overseeing a rigorous liberal arts and general education curriculum.

In the United States, the private and public schools offer degrees in Bachelor of Art (BA) and Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA). Generally, Bachelor of Art degree program focuses on approximately 30% studio coursework and remainder in general education. Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program on the other hand focuses on 70% studio coursework and the rest in general education. Coursework for graduate degrees such as Masters of Arts (MA), Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Master of Architecture (M.Arch), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) varies by specific chosen discipline.

The best art schools are Art Institute of Chicago and UCLA School of Art and Architecture. Due to highly competitive nature of admissions, primary selection criteria is based on artistic talent and academic performance. Secondary selection criterion is applicants grasp of other skills not related to academics. During the admission process, admission is based on strength of student’s portfolio, class ranking, admissions essay, and the letters of recommendations. In regard to student’s strength of portfolio, admission staff look for technical skills, creativity, ability to draw from observation and the use of different media. Interview process is a secondary selection criteria where they look for motivation, passion, commitment, openness to new ideas and critiques, and ability to articulate student’s work.

Read the rest of this entry »

The History
The Chinese Zhe School of painting thrived during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Dai Jin (1388-1462), a revolutionary Chinese painter, had started the school in the 15th century. The political influence of Ming Royalty on art displeased Dai Jin and his close painter friends. They found the academic techniques of painting very binding to their art. This school was established in the Southern Song capital, Hangzhou, which was in the Zhejiang Province. The name of the school ‘Zhe’ is derived from the name of the region Zhejiang.

The Details
Dai Jin was a talented and reputed painter. He did not follow the conventional norms of painting, generally pursued by the official imperial court painters (which were predominantly the southern song styles). Dai did not as such create any new style of painting, but he drew inspiration from both, the Northern Song and the Southern Song styles of painting. He adapted a more dynamic, elaborate, and versatile approach. Dai Jin specialized in beautiful landscapes and human figures. His subjects often revolved around mythology (with gods and ghosts) and history. He used a rather bold color palette with free brush strokes. His elegant creations had a unique narrative quality, which was rare to find. ‘Gong Bi’ and ‘Xie Yi’ are two of his major works.

Dai Jin’s unrestrained approach was a major influence to all the Zhe School painters. Dai Jin’s son Dai Quan and son in law Wang Shixiang were also a part of Zhe School. The Zhe School gave birth to a whole generation of untraditional painters that furthered the Southern Song styles (also called the Ma-Xia) of painting and carried it to new heights. The themes of paintings were mostly ornamental varying from flowers, to plants, to birds and landscapes. Like Dai Jin, most of the Zhe School painters used bright colors in their works. Although the Zhe School painters were not official court painters, still they did receive some support from the royal administration.

Read the rest of this entry »

An instructor is a teacher or a mentor who guides students in a specific field of knowledge. Though culinary arts is a profession in which experience on the job forms a substantial part of the learning process, culinary school instructors do play a vital role in helping students form a base of knowledge to test and compare new trends.

A culinary arts instructor is a position in the faculty of schools and colleges offering various courses in culinary arts. It is a full-time position to teach basic and advanced food preparation, sanitation and safety, menu planning and cost analysis. Courses may be assigned during day, evening, and weekend periods. The position of culinary arts instructor may also include off-campus assignments.

Culinary arts instructors are expected to maintain up-to-date knowledge of their subject matter. They are supposed to use multiple methodologies in teaching, including computer technology. The role involves assisting with curriculum development and articulation with universities and high schools. Culinary arts instructors have to attend department meetings, provide advice to students and maintain necessary attendance and scholastic records. They are expected to maintain professional standards of conduct and ethics, appropriate to the position. They also have to manage the kitchen used for teaching students and fulfill other responsibilities as assigned.

Read the rest of this entry »