Chicago vs NY

[Fustian]

Those of you attending, or already enrolled in, programs, what's your thinking on professional prospects? What are the pros and cons of each city when it comes to networking in the field?

[Skywater]

Never lived in NY. Chicago has a lot of opportunity for creatives and is super cheap to live in for a major metro area, and I see theatre gigs posted all the time on Chicago Artists Resource. That said, the most successful of my theatre buddies from high school went to NY and I have the sense that it's a harder grind but with more financial incentive. NYFA seems much, much busier than CAR but also more competitive. 

 

Speaking as a visual artist, the sense I have in my field is that Chicago is generally more open and easier to make-by-on-art-jobs than NYC but you're limiting yourself to a smaller, more communal world where the rewards are harder to earn.

[NYTreader]

The question to be answered: Is New York a affordable/liveable city for artists in 2015? As an artist is New York, can someone have a studio, work a job and live in an apartment? I hear of 1 12 hour commutes to go to Hunter/Cuny.

[Kerena Kim]

According to me, you have to see area trends and need to decide accordingly.

[DirectorsCoffee]

I feel like the larger question is the type of work you are looking to do, and/or the type of training you are looking for. I got my MFA in Directing in Chicago, so my experience is mostly from that point of view, But the style of work and training are very different between these two cities on the whole. yes of course there are programs which vary within each city..... but overall, there is a pedagogical difference at play.

[Jjjuliannn]

i live in ny currently and it's not for me (i'm moving to philly for my mfa) i would seriously consider chicago, i think it's a better environment for emerging artists and ny is better for mid to late career artists who can afford a good studio practice and all. chicago is cheaper, has tons of accessible residencies.... best of luck