What are the best art universities in the world?
What are the best art universities in the world? The question is near impossible to answer. Attending a university that is considered prestigious isn’t the be-all and end-all. Some artists choose to attend university whilst others don’t. There are many art schools around the world that offer a high-quality education and opportunities for students to develop their artistic skills. The “best” art school can vary depending on a person’s individual needs and preferences. Some of the best art universities include (in no particular order):
1. Concordia University, Montreal
Concordia University is considered to be the best art universities in Montreal. It has a strong fine arts program that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in a wide range of disciplines, including visual arts, fine arts, art history, studio arts, and also design.
Some famous artists who studied at Concordia University include:
- Geneviève Cadieux, a painter and sculptor known for her abstract works that explore issues of identity, memory, and history.
- Michael Snow, an artist known for his work in painting, sculpture, photography, and also film.
- Gu Xiong, an artist known for his work in painting, sculpture, and simultaneously installation, he also teaches at Concordia University.
2. University of New South Wales, Sydney
The Fine Arts program at University of New South Wales is part of the University of New South Wales Art & Design school and the faculty offers a range of facilities and resources to support student learning and research. This includes painting and drawing, printmaking, sculpture, photography, digital media, and 3D animation. The school also has a number of galleries and exhibition spaces, which provide students with opportunities to showcase their work making it one of the best art schools in Sydney.
Some famous artists who studied at University of New South Wales include:
- Tracey Moffatt, an Indigenous Australian artist known for her photography, film, and also her video works that explore issues of race, gender, and identity.
- Brook Andrew, an artist, researcher, and also a writer who works across a range of media, including painting, sculpture, and installation.
- Ken Done, a painter, designer, and also an entrepreneur who is best known for his colorful, abstract images of Australian flora and fauna.
3. Pratt Institute, New York
The Pratt Institute in New York City is a private, non-profit institution that offers undergraduate and also graduate degrees in a wide range of areas, including fine arts, design, architecture, engineering, fashion, and liberal arts.
We’re lucky enough to have a graduate from Pratt Institute using the Book An Artist platform. Joshua Benson is a mural artist, canvas painter and illustrator from Nashville. He graduated from Pratt in 2002 and sings nothing but its praises.
“My time at Pratt Institute was definitely some of the most dynamic years of my life. It sharpened my skills while clarifying each of the many facets of art as a career, giving me a well-rounded knowledge about all the different roles and needs there are in the marketplace, not just my major.”
“Most of all, the best part of Pratt for me was just being in such a creative environment. It was amazing to be surrounded by so much creative energy and the most rewarding part is the community, – people I’ve maintained friendships and working relationships with for over 20 years now.”
Some more famous artists who studied at Pratt Institute include:
- Chuck Close, a painter and also a photographer who is known for his large-scale portrait paintings as well as his photographs.
- Jacob Lawrence, a painter who is known for his series of narrative canvas paintings that generally depict the lives of African Americans.
- Jean-Michel Basquiat, an artist who is known for his graffiti-inspired canvas paintings and also his sketches.
4. Edinburgh College of Art, Edinburgh
One of the best art universities in Edinburgh is The Edinburgh College of Art. ECA is one of the oldest schools of art in the United Kingdom, founded in 1760 and provides undergraduate and graduate degrees in fine art, design, architecture, and also art history.
Some famous artists who studied at Edinburgh College of Art include:
- John Bellany, known for his vibrant and expressive canvas paintings that generally depict the lives of people in his native Scotland.
- Ken Currie, known for his figurative paintings that often address social as well as political issues.
- Alison Watt, known for her figurative paintings, particularly of the human figure.
5. Melbourne University, Melbourne
Modelled on the University of London, Melbourne’s first intake of students was in 1855. It is now one of the best best art universities in Melbourne.
In the early years, the university had a strong emphasis on the classical liberal arts, and its curriculum included subjects such as literature, history, and philosophy. Over time, the university expanded its offerings to include more science-based and professional programs, such as law, medicine, and engineering.
Some famous artists who studied at Melbourne University include:
- Robert Jacks, a painter known for his abstract landscapes and also still lifes.
- Grace Crowley, known for her abstract works that were heavily influenced by the principles of Cubism as well as Futurism.
- John Brack, a painter and also a printmaker who is known for his figurative works that generally depict the lives of ordinary people.
6. Royal College of Art, London
The Royal College of Art (RCA) is a public research university in London, England. It specialises in art, design, communication, and humanities. It is the only wholly postgraduate art and design university in the world and it offers master’s and doctoral level programs.
In 1896, it received its Royal Charter, becoming the Royal College of Art.
Another brilliant artist we have on the platform, Lucy Oates, is a Royal College graduate. Lucy is a mural and canvas artist from London. She graduated from Royal College of Art in Mixed Media and credits her time there as the source of tough skin.
“Studying at the Royal College of Art, connected me with so many other artists from around the world. My time there equipped me with the skills to juggle different projects and my time efficiently which is a massive part of being a freelance artist.
“I developed my style whilst studying at the RCA and gained a tough skin, not everyone is going to admire the work you produce or understand it, accepting this and learning from it has given me the confidence to be where I am today.”
Some other famous artists who studied at Royal College of Art include:
- David Hockney, a painter, draftsman, printmaker, stage designer, and also a photographer known for his contributions to the pop art movement.
- Antony Gormley, a sculptor known for creating sculptures, installations, and public artworks that explore the human body and its relationship to space.
- Tracey Emin, known for her controversial, confessional artworks that often explore themes of sexuality, identity, and personal trauma.
7. Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Vancouver
The school provides fine art and design training for students in British Columbia. In the early years, the school offered classes in painting, drawing, sculpture, and applied arts such as textiles and ceramics.
To honour of the famous Canadian artist Emily Carr, the school was renamed the Emily Carr College of Art and Design. And finally, in 2008, the institute received university status and was renamed the Emily Carr University of Art and Design.
Some famous artists who studied at Emily Carr University of Art + Design include:
- Jeff Wall, an artist and also a photographer known for his large-scale, staged photographs that generally depict everyday scenes.
- Stan Douglas, an artist and filmmaker known for his conceptual, multidisciplinary works that often explore the intersection of history, politics, and technology.
- Brian Jungen, an artist known for his sculptures and also installations that often incorporate elements of Indigenous culture and explore themes of identity and cultural exchange.
8. The Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow
Glasgow School of Art was originally established to provide design training for local industries.
A fire severely damaged GSA’s main building in 2014. Afterwards, it was one of the most challenging and complex restorations in the United Kingdom.
Some famous artists who studied at The Glasgow School of Art (one of the best art universities) include:
- Joan Eardley, known for her landscapes and also portraits, particularly of children
- Alison Watt, known for her figurative canvas paintings, explicitly of the human figure
- Peter Howson, a painter known for his expressive, figurative paintings that generally depict the lives of working-class people.
9. National University of Singapore, Singapore
The National University of Singapore (NUS) doesn’t have a specific school or program for fine arts. It does offer several undergraduate and graduate programs that incorporate elements of fine art, design, and visual culture.
For undergraduate students, NUS offers a Bachelor of Arts in Art History. This focuses on the study of art and visual culture from a historical, theoretical, and critical perspective. Additionally, students can also minor in Visual Studies. This provides an interdisciplinary approach to the study of visual culture that encompasses art, design, architecture, film, and media.
Some famous artists who studied at National University of Singapore include:
- Ho Tzu Nyen, an artist and also a filmmaker known for his multidisciplinary works that often explore issues of history, identity, and politics.
- Lim Tzay Chuen, a painter known for his representational works that often depict the landscapes and people of Southeast Asia.
10. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico
The National Autonomous University of Mexico was founded as a result of the Mexican Revolution of 1910. It symbolised the new nation’s commitment to education and is considered one of the best art universities.
Over time the university expanded to include a wide range of disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, and fine arts. During the 1920s and 1930s, the university became a centre piece during Mexican muralism movement. Famous artists such as Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros, and José Clemente Orozco created large-scale public murals on the university’s campus.
Some famous artists who studied at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México include:
- Diego Rivera, a leading figure of the Mexican muralism movement, Rivera studied at UNAM’s Academy of San Carlos and later returned to the university to teach.
- David Alfaro Siqueiros, another key member of the Mexican muralism movement, Siqueiros studied at UNAM’s Academy of San Carlos and was a prominent muralist and political activist.
- Juan O’Gorman, best known for his large-scale public murals, which basically depict Mexican history, culture and politics. Including the library of the Preparatoria Nacional and also the Ciudad Universitaria, the main campus of UNAM. See more about Juan’s most notable mural in our article: 15 Biggest Murals in the World.
