What are the most prominent art colleges?

I'm a junior looking to apply to some of the top art colleges. I'm passionate about visual arts and want to pursue it in college. Which art schools are considered most prominent and why?

There are several arts-focused institutions that are renowned for their strong programs and emphasis on creativity. Here are a few that may be on your radar:

1. Rhode Island School of Design (RISD): Based in Providence, Rhode Island, RISD is consistently ranked among the top art and design schools in the world. It offers a range of undergraduate and graduate degrees in disciplines such as painting, illustration, sculpture, graphic design, photography, and more. RISD takes a unique, interdisciplinary approach to art education that encourages experimentation and critical thinking. Its close relationship with Brown University also offers students expansive academic opportunities.

2. Parsons School of Design: Parsons, a part of The New School in New York City, offers programs in everything from fashion design to urban design. Its location in one of the world's biggest artistic and cultural hubs certainly provides students with fantastic networking opportunities and a vibrant environment.

3. Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD): Based in Savannah, Georgia, with additional campuses in Atlanta and abroad, SCAD offers programs in more than 40 majors and plenty of minors. It's known for its strong offerings in fields like animation, fashion, film, and more. The school hosts various events throughout the year, including the SCAD Fashion Show and the Savannah Film Festival, that bring industry professionals right to students.

4. California Institute of the Arts (CalArts): Founded by Walt Disney, CalArts offers programs in visual, performing, media, and literary arts. Its animation program is particularly famous — numerous CalArts alumni have gone on to work at Pixar, Disney, and DreamWorks.

5. School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC): SAIC offers a comprehensive curriculum and is situated in the heart of Chicago, connected to one of the nation's largest encyclopedic museums. It has both undergraduate and graduate programs in areas like painting, drawing, sculpture, and printmaking.

All these schools have established prominence through their rigorous curriculums, successful alumni, body of work, excellent faculty, and the opportunities they provide students for exhibition and performance.