What are the best art schools in America?

Hi! I'm an aspiring artist and hoping to study art in college. Can anyone suggest some of the top art schools in the United States? I'm looking for schools with great programs and well-known alumni. Thanks in advance!

Hello! It's wonderful that you're passionate about pursuing art in college. There are several highly-regarded art schools across the United States, each with their own strengths, focus, and notable alumni. Here are a few notable ones:

1. Rhode Island School of Design (RISD): Located in Providence, RISD is known as one of the top art and design schools in the country. They offer a wide range of majors, including industrial design, illustration, and painting. Some well-known alumni include Kaws, Kara Walker, and Jenny Holzer.

2. Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD): With campuses in Savannah, Atlanta, and Hong Kong, SCAD is well-known for its extensive programs in fine arts, design, and sequential art. SCAD alumni have gone on to work at major brands, animation studios, and gaming companies. A few notable alumni are Leigh Guldig, Margaret Keane, and Victoria Ying.

3. California Institute of the Arts (CalArts): Located in Valencia, CalArts is well-regarded for its animation program, which was established by Walt Disney. They also offer various majors in fine arts, film, music, and theater. Notable alumni include Tim Burton, John Lasseter, and Brad Bird.

4. School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC): Based in Chicago, SAIC offers a wide range of programs across fine arts, design, and media arts. The school is closely affiliated with the Art Institute of Chicago museum, providing access to a vast collection of art for inspiration. Famous alumni include Georgia O'Keeffe, Jeff Koons, and Grant Wood.

5. Parsons School of Design: Part of The New School in New York City, Parsons is renowned for its programs in fashion design, communication design, and fine arts. The school has numerous high-profile alumni, such as Alexander Wang, Marc Jacobs, and Donna Karan.

6. Pratt Institute: Located in Brooklyn, Pratt offers programs in several disciplines, including art, design, and architecture. They are known for their rigorous programs and high-level exhibit spaces. Notable alumni include Robert Mapplethorpe, Stefan Sagmeister, and Robyn Schiffman.

These are just a few examples of the top art schools in the United States. Depending on your interests and preferred location, there may be other excellent programs that could be a great fit for you. I'd recommend researching these schools further, visiting campuses if possible, and reaching out to current students or alumni to help you make an informed decision. Good luck!