Parents of students who wish to pursue an arts-related career might find themselves confused when it comes to choosing the right school that prepares their kids for their preferred future.
Choosing between a conventional or traditional school or an arts-focused school can be confounding—understandably so. However, choosing the right type of schooling for your kids is an important decision, and understanding the differences between traditional schooling and an arts-focused school can help you make an informed choice.
Generally speaking, a traditional school will offer your child more exposure to people and experiences unrelated to arts. This could be valuable, but it could also be a hindrance for someone who wishes to excel in their chosen art form.
Traditional schools tend to emphasize general academic work, focusing little on studio work and arts-focused subjects. So, if you think about whether an art school is worth it, the answer lies in what your expectations are from the school.
If you want your child to only be exposed to general academics, a traditional school could be an option. However, if you’re preparing your child for a career in the arts or are looking for a more holistic education option, an arts-focused private school like the Burlington Royal Arts Academy could provide the exact guidance they need with the necessary exposure to general academics.
What are Art Schools?
Unlike a traditional school, an art school is dedicated to visual arts and design. Instead of excessive focus on general academics, a student’s workload in an art school would tilt towards studio classes, meeting and learning from the masters in their field, and getting exposed to relevant artists at an early age to start finding their personal ‘style,’ so to say.
A traditional school prepares a child for the real world, while an art school prepares them for the real and ‘creative’ worlds. It helps them understand what is expected in the professional art world outside of school and the basic skills they need to grow in the field and start connecting with fellow artists at an early age to develop a strong peer network.
Eventually, the choice between an art school and a traditional school is a personal one, but an art school could give your child an early push to succeed in the world of visual arts.
The Burlington Royal Arts Academy primarily focuses on the visual arts in addition to higher education programs. We encourage creativity, enabling students to apply their artistic and creative skills in the real world. At a young age, students get to work and learn in a community of artists, building the skills they need to succeed in the real world.
Is Art School Worth It?
Here’s why it is worth it for someone who wants to pursue a career in arts:
- The opportunity to learn from art professors who are artists themselves. Even though art is subjective, learning from established artists can help students refine their skills and avoid some mistakes along their career path. Art professors can also mentor their students, giving them the opportunity to flourish under the guidance of someone who’s already made their mark in their respective fields.
- Art schools offer a structured environment for students to pursue their passion and stay motivated. Instead of focusing on multiple aspects, students solely concentrate on visual arts while dedicating the necessary time to general academics. This can help students learn the required skills much faster than in the general academic set-up at a traditional school.
- An art school provides dedicated studio space and equipment to learn, which might not be possible for students to manage on their own. Studying with a peer group of other artists can also keep students productive and motivated.
- Art schools regularly hold shows, allowing students to display their works alongside their peers. This provides exposure to students, as their work can be viewed by the public, including art critics and collectors.
Besides the focus on arts, an art school also teaches other skills that help the students build solid foundations for a happy life. Even though art is at the center of an art school, students learn different skills, including general academics, for their future careers.
At the Burlington Royal Arts Academy, an arts-focused school as opposed to a regular art school, we lay heavy emphasis on the Ontario academic curriculum, including business studies, French, English, and math.
Even though it’s widely believed that students attending an art school in Ontario are completely immersed in the pursuit of art, oblivious to everything else that’s important in the world, things are quite different at the Burlington Royal Arts Academy.
While the school is certainly a place for budding artists, it is also the right platform for students who are more academically inclined but whose parents understand why art is important in education. Such students are offered art classes to supplement their education, allowing them to follow their academic pursuits with an arts-focused mindset.
Whether you should choose an arts-focused academic school for your child is eventually a personal decision. However, you should know that students at the Burlington Royal Arts Academy sign up for a highly academic experience with instruction in the arts.
You can expect that experience to deliver a well-rounded personality with exposure to multiple fields, paving the way for a bright future.
Art-Focused School vs. Traditional School
Your child wants to become an artist, and you’re wondering whether to send them to an art school in Canada or a traditional school.
The decision is tough, and there’s no correct answer for everyone. However, learning the differences between the two options could help you make up your mind and make the right choice for your child:
| Arts-focused school | Traditional school |
|---|---|
| An arts-focused school offers creative coursework, allowing students to study unique subjects that help them find their style as an artist. However, that doesn’t mean you can skip general academics. The Burlington Royal Arts Academy offers an arts-focused syllabus for grades 9 to 12 that is centered on art with necessary weightage given to regular academics as well. | A traditional school will focus on general academics, and art may be available as an elective. |
| The focus is on creative learning, allowing students to explore their artistic abilities and creative thinking, which are also essential skills needed to succeed in any corporate environment. | Traditional schools do employ creative learning methodologies, but art and art-related subjects are generally optional or extras. |
| An arts-focused school is meant for everyone. It helps students who are certain about pursuing arts and need focused guidance without compromising on academics. The opportunity to learn from established artists with all the professional equipment at their disposal is unmatched. For students who are academically oriented, an arts-focused school offers art as an additional subject to help broaden their horizons. | A traditional school is a good choice for students who wish to study conventional subjects and are still evaluating where their passion lies. It is also suitable for students who might want to pursue a career in another field but learn art as an optional subject. |
The Burlington Royal Arts Academy is the closest you’ll come to finding a balance between arts and academia, as we don’t teach art at the expense of general academics. However, we do inculcate art in everything we teach, enabling students to study better and hone their creative thinking.
Even though everybody understands why art is important in school, an arts-focused school like ours also understands why it is important to learn to apply art and creativity in real-life situations.
Here’s what we promise our students who get to learn arts and academics together at our Ontario art school:
- Problem-solving and critical thinking skills
- Confidence and self-awareness
- Enhanced cognition
- Effective communication skills
- Varied experiences in academics and arts
- Refined fine and gross motor skills
- Commitment to a high level of self-expectation and life-long learning
- Creativity and cultural awareness
- Limitless potential for growth and development
If you’re looking to broaden your child’s horizons by sending them to an academic-arts-based high school, rest assured that we at the Burlington Royal Arts Academy are as committed to their success as you are. Don’t delay – Register now.
If you’d like to learn more, visit us online at burlingtontonroyalartsacademy.ca. You can learn more about the school, book a tour, or contact us online.
