Knowee
Questions
Features
Study Tools
2.6
Overall Quality
Reputation
3.3
Food
2.4
Clubs
2.1
Facilities
2.9
Internet
2.3
Location
3.2
Opportunities
3.1
Safety
2.3
Social
2.3
Happiness
2.8

Basic Information

Location

  • Excelsior Springs, MO

Institution Overview

  • Public/Private: Private art school
  • Established: 1885; 139 years ago (1885)
  • Founder: The Sketch Club, Fred Richardson

Academic information

Degree Courses

  • 13

Key Area

  • Animation
  • Art History
  • Ceramics
  • Filmmaking
  • Graphic Design
  • Illustration
  • Painting
  • Photography
  • Printmaking
  • Product Design
  • Sculpture

Student and Staff Numbers

  • Students: 678 (Fall 2017)
  • Undergraduates: 738
  • Academic Staff: 75

Notable Alumni

  • Nick Cave
  • Roberto Lugo
  • Laura Foster Nicholson
  • Sam Prekop
  • Ronnie Landfield

10 FAQs about this University fromredditReddit

Students talk about this school

Good reviews
Overall 4.1
It enjoys a distinguished reputation nationally and globally and continues to build upon a solid foundation furnished by local and national benefactors and philanthropic trusts. The proximity to the Nelson-Atkins and Kemper museums provides a solid base for historical and artistic study. The liberal arts program is strengthening in quality.
Bad reviews
Overall 1.1
None.
Overall 1.3
I think the best times I had at this school was the days I skipped class. We wouldn't learn anything there but leaving campus and running around the city opened my eyes quite a bit.
Overall 1.6
If you don't give up eating, sleeping, and a social life to live in the studio, your professors won't take you seriously and your grades will show it. You give up your own art to create whatever your professor is partial to just to keep your grades afloat. No personal creativity.
Overall 1.6
None.
Overall 1.6
Last 2 ratings left by faculty, the first 2 comments hit the nail on the head. This aging faculty base simply refuses to retire and let younger more savvy faculty assume leadership. Sad.
Overall 1.7
If you wanna be a artist, go to other art Institute
Overall 1.8
Foundations builds a tight knit community. close relationships w profs. If you hate a prof or student(s) it is impossible to escape them + drama. Very poor liberal arts selection, dangerous area, no security, crappy but expensive freshman dorm & no housing after that, bad for your mental health and wallet. Hard to change majors. Art improved, tho.
Overall 1.9
highly overrated. I came here excited to learn about art and design, only to feel like my ideas are invalid and undervalued. If you don't spend 100% of your time and energy within the studio, you'll not get any recognition from teachers. No sleep. No free time. Teachers prefer to view work similar to their personal style, otherwise looked down upon
Overall 1.9
I find that the major reason that I am still here is for access to the equipment. The lessons I have been taught in some of mu classes were vague or flat out wrong. There are some teachers in the school that make me enjoy going to class, but there are others that make it dreadful. You will need self motivation to survive.
Overall 1.9
This school puts a great deal of effort into looking nice on the outside in order to get students to come. But it is rotting from the inside. Realizing this many students promptly transfer. I for one intend to do so.