gayfhaylay

this^^, I do want to add / chime in on this list of top 500 artists and being a successful artist - outside of being a professor. There is no top 500 outside of classism. Not saying the artists are classists. But the players absolutely, historically, have been. I mean, if you get into yale- lol - go to yale! But if you don't or it's not your thing, be confident in the fact that there is so much culture, art and life thriving outside of these major cities and major schools. Outside of the top lists. You can make money and a life for yourself besides the fact. I live in a 'lesser' city (700,000 population). And I've been out of school working in the arts &/or as an artist for 10 years. I know plenty of successful artists who are exhibiting, getting grants, creating public art, community work and of course selling work, ect - all that goes into being an artist full time. Some don't have mfa s and those that do did not go to top schools. Some did, but it seems a bit random. While it's important and practical to think in terms of "how do I become a successful artist?", I think we all would do better to first and mostly think about - "how do I create successful art?" Sometimes that's going to the top list schools. And sometimes it is not. (This isn't to anyone directly. This is just something I would have appreciated knowing / reading 8-10 years ago right after undergrad. People always say it's impossible unless you're the top 2%. Everything in life is difficult. So we all minus well have a difficult time doing something we love and impulsively need. Also being a professor is an excellent way to give back to the arts community so no shade there either)

I'll check out UCDavis! thank you -- I've definitely been on that research train and have talked to plenty of artists about grad school options - it is helpful to see where other people are looking and what they are thinking on this forum. So hopefully it fills out I know UWMadison covers their mfa students and offers stipends - not sure of the details. Currently going down this list as well https://www.profellow.com/fellowships/fully-funded-mfa-in-studio-art-and-visual-art/

Helloooo, Introduction? Applying for painting and drawing programs bu also interdisciplinary - I dabble in installation and VR. Painting is figurative abstraction meets world building rooted in personal and cultural history. idk how much info to give on here. I'm in my 30's and have been meaning to apply to grad school but life kept me busy. I kinda feel like I'm getting to this late in the year but here's the list ~ from most ideal to least ideal but still def. ideal enough to apply ~~ Looking at - UCLA, Hunter, UWMadison, VCU, SAIC, Temple, Carnegie Mellon, Yale, Stanford, Rutgers, Otis, Cranbrook, Georgia State this forum seems a lil sparse but if anyone has suggestions on schools I could look at or swap out- I'm not set on applying to all of these. Still looking at fully funded schools to apply to instead. I know getting into these is difficult so I figured I'd worry about cost when/if the time came. Hope everyones well ~~~