The Art Institute of Colorado
Denver, CO 80203-2172
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User Reviews for The Art Institute of Colorado
05/24/2008 Posted by ttommie03
This is my first time attending an art college and I have to say, they can really pile on the work. When I first started in my program, (Industrial Design) I was excited about the program and the instructors. I had the time to work on my projects in full detail so as to fulfill the requirements; this was also the time of my best art work. Two and a half years into my program life isn't fun anymore because almost every moment is stuck in this school. My work has gotten watered down and its hard to believe in it anymore. I turned from a passionate artist to someone who has nothing but contept for this highly expensive education I have walked into; (currently at $130,000 with another 1.5 years to go). The school is on the quarter system, so we have 11 weeks to complete projects, with a one week break. I compare the workload to being overstimulated, past the phase of burnout because apparently we work better as students who recieve more projects in a shorter amount of time. Then we get a one week break between quarters so it doesn't feel like the classes have ended before we get right back into full swing! Don't get me wrong, the classes are good and there is much learning happening, however too much is expected of us. Many students drop out of this school, my starting class is about half what it was and by graduation its expected to narrow down to a handful of grads (From a class of 30 Industrial Design students to about 6 or less.) As I continue to climb this difficult terrain I find the graduating students really freaking out about the workload, to a condition that is often referred to as burnout of its worst kind. I have spoken to some students who literally hate the school for the time it sucked out of their lives. I'm little over halfway through my bachelors degree and I find myself asking, "Is there someplace better than this, where I can enjoy being an artist rather than working in a vacuum?"
Pros: Wide range of projects, class sizes, some instructors are great
Cons: Very short working time, facilities can be embarrasing, very expensive education!
