PARIS COLLEGE OF ART

PARIS COLLEGE OF ART

15 rue Fenelon, Paris France

Paris College of Art has a primary statement of "The highest standard of American art and design in the Parisian landscape with a global reach"

This school was Parsons Paris!  In 2010 they became an independent art school with 300 students and 100 faculty.  In 2013 they moved to a new location in the 10th arrondissement

The school considers itself as a dynamic forum for exchanging ideas and methods.  The students and teachers are to explore and create to foster their curiosity, experimentation, in the pursuit of learning.  And upon my investigation - I do find the school to be dynamic!  

All fields of degree pursuit must have a foundation year freshman year and have critical studies throughout the 4 years of study.  This will provide the students with general humanities - history, philosophy, language (what better place for Mimi to take French language classes!), literature, social sciences and science.  They believe this will enrich the creative process and I couldn't agree more.

They also want the students to use Paris as an "open studio" and extended classroom.

In the second semester the students can have studio time, mix social and cultural contexts and are encouraged to plan on how they will contribute to the world.   The curriculum looks wonderful!  For a BFA in Fashion Design the course of study looks like this:

Freshman Foundation semester 1 &2 , drawing, 2D studio, intro to digital media, 3D studio and "City as Studio" and that's just freshman year!

Sophomore year will be courses in 3D design, fashion drawing by hand and digital, pattern drafting, fashion research and design concepts, history of fashion, critical studies elective and or foreign language study.

Junior year will have "junior design studio" collection concept development, digital fashion studio, fashion drawing, fashion collection management, textile identification (that should include a blindfold test!) intro to design studies, studio elective, art history elective, critical studies elective/foreign language.

Senior year will include senior design studio and senior design concepts, fashion industries, entrepreneurial strategies for fashion (good); senior thesis portfolio, studio electives OR an internship (good) critical studies and art history electives.

Quite complete! But it doesn't stop there!  

The also have an annual "Workshop Week" every spring!  Everyone in the school, teachers, staff and students are given a week away from the academics and can participate in workshops of their choice.  How refreshing!  Last year some of the workshops were 'one day publishing' (one day to publish or a one day workshop?) creative speaking, Palais Galliera fashion photography exhibit and tour of the archives.   What a great break before finals and end of the year project due dates.

Admissions:

step one is their online application.  This will include a 500 word essay but they have formatted it so you can write, stop and save, and come back to it later.  That's good for our busy lifestyles, but a rough draft is still probably a good idea.  This needs to be a statement about the work of an artist(s), design business(s), design manager(s), or designer(s) that inspire you.  Additionally, you need to briefly explain why you would want the opportunity to study at the Paris College of Art.  I love this painting by John Singer Sargent:

The school also wants your SAT/ACT scores but I couldn't find what number is their goal.  High school transcripts and a letter of recommendation.  

Portfolio needs 10-20 images, submitted to Slide room at parisedu.slideroom.com   The admission committee is interested on how applicants research and communicates their ideas.  Any media or combination of media's are welcome.  The committee also wants students to be careful and edit and consider the arrangement and order of your work.  You will have a counselor assigned to you for the entire admissions process.  Nice. 

The schools Student Life office guides students through the visas process- just remember visa's can take MONTHS to process, don't procrastinate!   

The Student Life Office will also help with housing.  This is either dorms, a host family, or a private apartment.    They also have a dining program which includes 4 restaurants and 20 university cafeteria's.  This is Paris!  It can't be too hard to find something good to ear!Apricot tarts from a corner Paris bakery is one of my favorites!

We have a tour set up for July and I can't wait as this is my new front runner and favorite for Mimi!  

Pam