Creative colleges

Hey, I'm super into art and creativity. I'm currently a junior and I'm starting to look for colleges that have a strong creative community. Which colleges out there are best known for fostering creativity and artistic growth? Bonus points if they have a beautiful campus!

Hi there! Based on your interests, I'd recommend looking into a couple of types of schools: art and design-focused institutions and liberal arts colleges. Art and design schools, like Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Parsons School of Design, and Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), are known for their strong creative communities and can provide an immersive artistic environment. These schools specialize in various disciplines like visual arts, graphic design, fashion, and more. They may not have traditional campuses, but they are generally situated in vibrant creative hubs with plenty of artistic opportunities.

Alternatively, some liberal arts colleges are particularly strong in the arts and foster unique creative communities. A few to consider are:

1. California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) - With a diverse offering of programs in visual, performing, and media arts, CalArts is known for its exceptional faculty and fostering a collaborative environment amongst its students.

2. Sarah Lawrence College - This college has a strong arts focus, offering writing, theater, dance, and visual arts programs. They encourage cross-disciplinary exploration and boast a beautiful campus in Bronxville, NY.

3. Oberlin College - Oberlin has a highly regarded conservatory and strong visual arts program, making it a solid option for students seeking both a creative community and a liberal arts education.

4. Bard College - The campus is stunning, and Bard is known for its strong arts scene, with programs in visual arts, writing, music, and theater. Bard also partners with the Center for Curatorial Studies for students seeking a career in the arts.

5. Wesleyan University - With a dynamic arts community that spans film, music, dance, and visual arts, Wesleyan offers an interdisciplinary education and has a beautiful campus in Middletown, CT.

These are just a few ideas to get you started on your search, but each college fosters creativity in its own way, and their campus atmospheres might vary. Be sure to visit the campuses or do virtual tours to get a better sense of each school's vibe and find the perfect fit for you. Good luck!