Art School in France, 28 Questions and Answers
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Ministry of Culture and Communication - Art schools in France - 28 Questions & Answers “For this cover, I focused on the very concrete aspect of the courses in the art schools. Students are given a chance to express their creativity through the use of many different materials, from the roughest to the most sensitive. These have their own way to exist all along the creative process, whether they are used, transformed or destroyed. For instance, the offset plaque shows a mark, that from paper goes back to paper. In the same way, serigraphy is a manual and subtle way to print, at the hour of mass printing.” This cover was realised by Jérémy Barrault, 2nd year student in graphic design at the École nationale des beaux-arts de Lyon. He won the 2011 contest organised by the Ministry of Culture and Communication. www.jeremybarrault.com Art schools and art degrees in France In France, 45 art schools deliver undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate diplomas after 3, 5 or 7 years, in art, design and communication, across 58 campuses, for a total of 11,000 students. To enrol in a French art school 1▪ What are the French art schools ? At the same time, 4 national schools prepare students for their own diploma : l’École Higher Art Education in France is dispensed nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs by 45 schools under the academic (ENSAD), l’École nationale supérieure de supervision of the Ministry of Culture (of création industrielle (ENSCI/Les Ateliers), which 35 are run by local authorities, 7 are l’École nationale supérieure des beaux arts national schools outside Paris, and 3 are (ENSBA) et l’École nationale de la national schools in Paris awarding their own photographie d’Arles (ENSP). Each of these diplomas). delivers specific diplomas. They offer training at university level with a view to forming professionals, artists and The Studio national des arts contemporains creators in the field of visual arts and deliver du Fresnoy delivers a specific postgraduate undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate diploma (a further 2 years after the 5 year diplomas after 3, 5 or 7 years, in art, design course). and communication. They have a total of 11,000 students. The website of the National Association of Art School Directors (ANDEA) contains useful The student is placed at the very centre of the information and a good view of the whole schools’ educational project. The course network : www.andea.fr offers both theoretical and practical training and the student is encouraged to experiment all sorts of mediums and techniques, from the classical to the most modern. 3▪ Where to meet teachers and current students ? 2▪ How to choose between the different art Most of the schools organise open days schools ? between January and June. These are a great opportunity for future applicants to The French art schools offer training in three gather information on the different courses specific fields, called “options”. These are : and to meet teachers and students in their art, design and communication. Some of the studios. The dates of the open days can be schools offer more specialised courses such found on the website of each school or on the as food design, comic strips, sonic space, ANDEA website. graphic design… called “mentions” which are included to the name of the diploma. 4 4▪ How to enrol in a French art school ? school diploma for foreign students. Exceptionally, these conditions may be Admission to a French art school is by waived. competitive entry examination for the first year and through an admissions or transfer panel for the other years1. 9▪ Is a specific preparation needed ? Although a regular artistic practice such as 5▪ What are the deadlines for admission ? high school courses or evening classes can be a good preparation, no specific We advise prospective students to start preparation is required. gathering information as early as January for Several art schools also organise workshops admission in autumn. For some of the and public courses to prepare the selective schools, the deadline for registration is end of exam. These do not allow entry via the March. transfer panel, nor do they give access to All information about how to apply can be student status. For further information, please found on the websites of the schools. refer to the website of l’Association nationale des classes préparatoires publiques aux écoles supérieures d’art (APPEA). 6▪ What does the competitive entry www.appea.fr examination consist in? Each school organises it own examination process. The tests usually include : 10▪ How does the transfer panel work ? - a practical test, - a written theoretical - general knowledge Foreign students already studying in another test, country should apply through this channel. - and a presentation of a portfolio of Admission can also be justified by relevant original artistic work and an interview with professional or personal experiences. a panel made up of teaching staff from Foreign students should have their academic the school. records translated into French and certified. The final decision on admission of candidates depends on a transfer panel that evaluates 7▪ How much is the entry examination motivation and artistic aptitudes of the fee? candidate. The entry examination fee depends on each school : 50€ for The École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts and the École 11▪ Are there any age requirements to nationale supérieure des arts décoratifs ; 35€ enter a French art school ? for the art schools of Bourges, Cergy, Limoges, Nancy, Dijon, the Villa Arson and There is no fixed age limit. Prospective the École nationale supérieure de la students should refer to the students’ booklet photographie (fees for 2011-2012). It can be or to the website of the school they are free or up to 53€ for local schools, the interested in. average being 30€. 8▪ Is a high school diploma required to be eligible ? Admission to the first year is by competitive entry examination and candidates should have the baccalaureate or equivalent high 1 Please refer to question 10. 5 Courses and degrees 12▪ What are the different courses offered (Québec), Écume–cultural exchanger with the by the French art schools ? Mediterranean countries, Ofaj–French- German Youth Office, Renater… (source The students progressively acquire the ANDEA website) necessary basic theoretical and practical skills through teaching programmes specially The 4th year is a good time for internships or designed towards a personal artistic practice. school trips in other countries. An art school The students follow 3 or 5 year courses student can be awarded credits for a leading to national diplomas in Art, semester spent in a foreign art school. Communication and Design: • the DNAP, diplôme national d’arts 15▪ What are the different diplomas ? plastiques (National Diploma in Visual Arts) at the end of 3rd year There are 2 kinds of diplomas : • followed by the DNSEP, diplôme national supérieur d’expression plastique (National 1/ The national diplomas Higher Diploma in Visual Expression), at the end of the 5th year. DNAT The DNAT, diplôme national d’arts et or techniques (National Diploma in Art and Technique) – 3 years, is very clearly work- • the DNAT, diplôme national d’arts et oriented. There are 4 majors : product design, techniques (National Diploma in Art and space design, graphic design and textile Technique) as a leaving certificate in Design design. or Communication at the end of the 3rd year. DNAP The DNAP, diplôme national d’arts plastiques 13▪ If you stop before obtaining the (National Diploma in Visual Arts) – 3 years, is degree, is it possible to keep the benefit of more general. There are 3 majors : art, the years of study? communication and design. Students are given credits according to the DNSEP ECTS system that allows them to ask for The DNSEP, diplôme national supérieur recognition of their qualification at university. d’expression plastique (National Higher Diploma in Visual Expression), is a general diploma after 5 years of study. There are 3 14▪ Is it possible to study abroad? majors : art, communication and design. Graduates can pass a number of French Over the past ten years the French Art selective exams (CAPES, CAPET, AGREG) Schools have been more and more involved to become art teachers. in the cultural landscape of international cooperation. More than half of the Art Some of the schools have developed a Schools participate in the Erasmus network. speciality. Therefore, the name of the diploma Europe is prominent in the academic is sometimes completed by a specific exchanges – short and long term projects – mention, for example : 62% of the total, within which Germany, Spain, Italy and Great Britain make up 29%. Each year the Art Schools are allocated • DNAP art, mention bande dessinée ou additional funding from the « Entr’écoles » mention images animées (art, specialised in programme. comic strips or animated pictures) (École européenne supérieure de l’image), We should also mention as partners of the French Art Schools other international • DNAT design graphique, mention image et exchange networks: Maps, Cumulus, Crepuq narration (graphic design, specialised in 6 image and narration) (École de l’image The course lasts 2 years and entitles the d’Epinal). student to a postgraduate degree. 2/ The school diplomas Diplôme national supérieur d’arts 16▪ Are courses and degrees widely plastiques (National Higher Diploma in recognised? Visual Arts) This diploma validates 5 years of study at the Studies in French art schools are considered École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts de as higher education. Courses are organised Paris. There is now also a diploma after 3 according to the rules of the European years of study. Community Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students. They are nationally Diplôme de créateur industriel (Industrial recognised at the highest level of creator diploma) qualification.