Animation is my dream and I want to pursue it at an art-focused college. I guess what I'm asking is if there are any institutions you guys could think of that have a well-respected Animation program?
Absolutely, there are several art-focused colleges with reputable Animation programs.
California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) is one of the most well-known art schools for this discipline. In fact, it was co-founded by Walt Disney himself. Pixar's John Lasseter and Brad Bird, for example, both studied at CalArts. The college offers both BFA and MFA degrees in animation and its curriculum covers everything from experimental animation to character animation.
Ringling College of Art and Design in Florida also has a strong animation program and has been consistently ranked among the top. Graduates have gone on to work at major studios like Pixar, DreamWorks, and Sony Pictures Animation.
Pratt Institute in New York offers a BFA in Digital Arts and Animation, which embraces a broad spectrum of art practices including animation, motion graphics, and 3D printing.
In Rhode Island, you may want to look into Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). It offers a BFA in Film/Animation/Video program that allows you to either specialize in animation or explore various filmmaking practices.
Keep in mind that finding the "best" program involves more than just rankings. You'll also want to consider factors like class size, access to industry technology, proximity to animation studios for internships, and even the work of the faculty. It would be beneficial to research each school’s program and curriculum in-depth to ensure it matches your goals and interests in animation.
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