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4 Most In-Demand College Courses

Design isn’t trapped to the confines of a page, blurred across the span of a canvas. It’s instead found within the digital world with the arts earned through the clatter of a keyboard. Technology redefines culture, and students seeking an education are no longer burdened by classrooms. Instead they’re exploring virtuality.

Such explorations offer endless opportunities, with online classes at eLearners providing the most popular courses:

Media Arts

A gathering of pixels and graphics: Media Arts is generating interest for all ages. These courses allow students to experience the full scope of the Internet. Software and talent combine, and the results are bold. The media arts use traditional ideas and shape them with new techniques (ensuring that photographs, paintings and poetry gain online precision).

Photography

Discovering an understanding of culture demands more than desire. It instead requires proof of expression – through photography. This form of study encourages dynamic thinking, as well as a need to master established rules (lights and shadows must be recognized). It helps to preserve the arts through a lens.

Creative Writing

Words aren’t defined by heavy ink. They’re meant to be digital, with creative writing now offered online. This study urges students to expand their knowledge of language with narrative structure undone. All pieces should offer relief from stale academia and allow for flair.

Digital Filmmaking

The arts expand beyond easels and mosaic tiles: they instead reach toward cinematography. Filmmaking is a course that many choose, with its potential understood as limitless. A camera creates entire worlds; and motion, color and sound can combine. It’s a celebration of culture.

The online world is transforming the arts – and students can now reap the rewards.

Filed Under: Dance, Education Tagged With: , ,

Enrolling Your Child in a Performing Arts School

If you have a child who’s been bitten by the performing arts bug, you may be tempted to enroll your child in a performing arts school. Before enrolling, you need to make sure you’re making the right decision for your family. Here are the pros for enrolling your child in a performing arts school

Dedicated Environment

If your child sleeps, breathes, and eats music or acting, your child will be incredibly happy to learn and thrive in a pro-performing arts environment. Even non-arts related activities are often taught with a spin towards the creative arts; students are often given the chance to do presentations instead of papers, etc.

No Outside Lessons

If your child is receiving arts training during the day, you won’t be forced to look elsewhere for lessons (that’s not to say you can’t search for acclaimed private tutors on search sites like canada 411). This also preserves valuable family time. Many students who don’t go to performing arts schools rehearse, train, and perform until late in the evening because their daytime hours are spent doing non-arts activities at their regular schools. Performing arts schools allow for less “shuttling” off to different lessons or rehearsals and more family time. Though performing arts schools often cost more for tuition, they do save money on transportation and lessen costs.

Allowing Creativity to Foster and Grow

Creativity must be nourished and encouraged in order to be utilized. Your child will be taught in an environment where creativity is fostered, not discouraged. No matter what your child chooses to do later in life, that creativity-rich environment and foundation will stick with her no matter where she goes.

 

Filed Under: Education Tagged With: ,

Funding Your Education

Whatever your plans are for the future, education is the key to achieving success in life.  This does not in any way mean that you need to get a bachelor or masters degree in something.  Simply put, you need to get the most education you can in the field you have chosen.  Perhaps a career in the Arts has been your dream.  If this is the case, you are searching for an education in a time when the Arts have never been more celebrated.  Accepted as a legitimate course of study, a degree in the Arts will help further your career, whether it be in the spotlight or behind the scenes.

Getting the proper training and education is crucial when stepping out into the very competitive world of the Arts.  Finding the right school for that education may take a while too.  If you want to juggle both career and education, try education online. There are many online educational sites like earnmydegree.com who make learning courses more efficient and convenient, which makes them ideal for working professionals and other busy individuals.

The schools for the Arts have very specific courses of study and when you find the one that is right for you, you will want to garner a spot at that school.  Schools for the Arts can be very costly, and you may need some help in funding your education.  Student loans are out there for you to take advantage of.  Having someone co-sign the loan can also keep your interest to a minimum.
There are also numerous scholarships out there.  So many scholarships go unclaimed year after year.  Not all scholarships are in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, though that would be nice.  An education funded by ten $500 scholarships is paid for the same as one funded with one $5,000 scholarship.  It may take a little more work, but since when is free money not worth a little work???   If you are just finishing high school, start by writing letters to all local groups like the Knights of Columbus, the local Moose Lodge, or any organized group.  Most of these groups offer small scholarships, and you can certainly garner more than one.
Look around, do the leg work and search the Internet. You would be surprised how many ways you can find to fund your education in the Arts
Filed Under: Art, Education Tagged With: , ,

Education in The Arts

Right brained learners versus left brained learners.  Left brained learners are academic and studious, right brained learners are creative and carefree.  Both have a wealth of knowledge and talent.  It is said that a right brained student will not do as well in an academic college as he or she would in the more loosely based schools for the Arts.  This is not a bad thing.  Right brained students are amazingly creative, naturally talented.

These are the kids who fill the schools for the Arts.  Everyone brings their own flavor to their education.  A creative talented student brings so much to a school that celebrates their differences.  They flourish among other artistic students.  They share a passion for the art and the expression of it.  They don’t need to have their heads buried in their laptops the entire class time.  They will however, use art programs on their computers to create the ideas that are in their heads, the ideas that create new art for generations to come.   It was not so long ago that a student who wished to study art had to settle for a community college education with an Art minor, thereby making the study of Art just an elective among a curriculum that neither stimulates or interests him.

Today, the Arts are celebrated.  The artist is allowed to let that creative juice flow, learn how to bring their ideas to life.  There are amazing teachers who share the passion of the artist, schools that have been set up for just that purpose.  An education in the Arts is recognized as a legitimate course of study and some Art schools are accredited to confer  associates and bachelor’s degrees on deserving students, and rightfully so.

A degree in the Arts makes the study of one’s own craft and/or talent a legitimate course of study, one in which the graduate holds a legitimate degree.

Filed Under: Dance, Education Tagged With: , ,

How to Put On a Musical

So you think you can put on a musical? Well, good luck! It’s a big undertaking, but one that is well worth it. There are a million things that will need to be done but hopefully this list will make sure you at least get all your big ducks in a row before opening night.
The first one is obviously picking your musical. It could be something big that requires a large chorus or something a little smaller and intimate. Getting together the right team will help you make the right decision as to exactly which musical you want to produce. Find a musical director, a production manager and a stage manager that you know and trust; you will all be a tight group and you need to be able to work as a team. Only you and your team know your own strengths and weaknesses, so keep them in mind when picking a show.
Next, you need to get a cast and crew. Hold auditions and decide together who is best for which part. Place ads to get a great crew who can bring your vision to life. Find a space to put on your show and work with your funders to get all the money you need. While all of these things are coming together, make sure your cast and talent directors are rehearsing like crazy. Each day only brings you a little closer to opening night, so make good use of your time while you have it.
Once the rehearsal time is nearing an end, it is time to start advertising. Make eye-catching flyers and paper the town with them. They are the only way most people are going to learn about your show and want to buy tickets. Run dress rehearsals the week before and get everything coordinated. Make sure everyone’s vision is being realized. If it is, then you will likely have a success!

Filed Under: Art, Music Tagged With: , ,

An Exciting Career Opportunity for Those in the Arts

For students and those looking for career opportunities in the arts, it can be difficult to find areas where work will be available. Yet it doesn’t have to be that way. Those in the arts may have degree or career aspirations that are often suggested as not having a great future, but there is a great opportunity present in one field.

One great opportunity for arts students and aspiring individuals is found in the cruise ship entertainment industry. A wonderful experience that blends some of the best aspects of being a performer, working on a cruise ship is a great way to live out your dreams.

First, you can’t beat the location. If you have a passion for traveling, or at least working in style, then there are few things better than a gigantic, luxurious ship. You will certainly not grow tired of exploring fun locations on a beautiful ship. The cruise ship entertainment industry is also very stable. Many different types of lines are known for having high-quality performers, where you can join the ranks and learn from those in the field. It would be a great opportunity to improve as a musician, dancer, or other type of performer or with regard to your art.

From this it is easy to see that this is a wise career choice. Cruise ship workers of all kinds enjoy the boost that such a position gives them on their resume. It will be easier to move up if the opportunity presents itself, as this would certainly look good on your resume. Working on a cruise ship blends the best aspects of work and fun. You can help your career and possibly find something that you may never want to leave. Performing in the comfort of a luxury ship is hard to beat. Don’t overlook this opportunity.

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Art as a World Power

American actor and director Robert Redford. (C...
Image via Wikipedia

The thought that the magic of a brush can instill a power that can change the world is a romantic ideal. Would you be surprised if it could be a realism? Not COULD. It simply is–at least in this day and age. The art industry here in the United States is currently being explored by other countries as we speak. And these are the prime cultural reasons why:

1. The arts are, in fact, a global economical force.
2. The arts stand as an aggressive facet of the international competitive marketplace.
3. International dialogue benefits from an improved cultural understanding, including the theory and practice of art.
4. Our national security benefits from the study of art.

It’s pretty amazing that our own government is taking these reasons into serious consideration regarding the national budget. Schools from all over the country are participating in worldwide tours, supported by the government, in an effort to support global understanding and relations with other countries, providing an even better chance for peace on an Earth fraught with the fire of war and death. On September of 2009, the President and CEO of Americans for the Arts met with none other than Robert Redford had convened the fourth National Arts Policy Roundtable for CEOs, elected officials, and opinion leaders, with the intention to discuss the benefits of the arts on a global scale, specifically focusing on global understanding and building stronger relationships. Remarkable that something as simple as a charcoal pencil used in figure drawing can mean the world full of millions of different people–that it can transcend differences in creed, gender, color and even personality.

The fact is EVERYONE–no matter how different or strange–can appeal to art, can identify with art. Art is one of the only universal languages known to man. So it’s no wonder in this day and age that art is definitely considered a WORLD POWER.

Filed Under: Art Tagged With: , , ,

Practice, Practice, Practice!

Name one kid that at one point or another never took up the clarinet, flute, trumpet, drums, guitar, ANYTHING. Pretty sure not one kid can be named. Music’s everywhere. It’s the idea of playing sounds sounding beautiful that mesmerizes the soul, especially inside a little one’s heart. To create something: it’s a fantastic and unearthly essence that can only be explained as God-given. Is it any wonder why music education is so important?

Can you imagine what the world would be like without music? Think of people walking aimlessly around the Earth with no sound to guide them. You can’t call out someone’s name, especially if that person adores and loves you, because usually your voice would be like music to that person. And thus, if music never existed, your voice wouldn’t ever exist either. Try to imagine every person on the planet going deaf and mute, and that’s what the world would be like without music. Think of all the souls sifting away into some void of nothingness and blackness, and that’s your empty space of a music-less existence. Why? Because you wouldn’t see any trees breathing in the wind. Their voices are the music of God. So are the birds. Actually ALL the animals and their echoes in the air represent music. They have a natural rhythm. Even the hustle and bustle of cities and all the white noise are a darker side of music; but that stuff won’t be there either. Nothing will surround you. Just a mere blackness that can only be described as death.

Is that what you want? A world without music? Can you imagine what it would be like to have no music education? Start practicing on that imagination. Practice, practice, practice. Unfortunately, it might take you the rest of your life on that one. Because the thought of no music education is unspeakable. Personally, you should take up the clarinet. It sounds a whole lot better.

Filed Under: Art, Education, Music Tagged With: , , ,

Knowing Who you are Portraying

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 22: (EDITORS NOTE:...
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What is a character building? For an actor this is necessary to help bring the person in a script to life.

This first thing you need to do is read your script several times. 95 percent of the time a writer will give you much information need to know who that person is such as; location of where he or she lives; the time period; the ethnicity of the character and so on. As you read your script, make notes to interesting features or habits they may obtain. For instants, if they have a stuttering problem or they might be allergic to something. This will help you to understand who that person is, engraving it in your mind.

After you have scratched to surfs, now it is time to add layers! Some of the most brilliant actors go beyond the pages of a script causing them to give award winning performances. Your character is like the people you meet in real life. The longer you spend time with them, the more you understand who they are.

A good exercise to do is have a “Mental Interview” with your character. Write down a list of questions that you want to ask that person in the script and answer them to the best of your ability. This should be in lieu of what you have already learned about him or her. Below are some questions to ask that can help you get started.

· What is my character’s favorite food?

· Do they own a car?

· What is their current occupation(s)?

· Do they own a home?

· Are they poor, middle class, or rich?

· What are their favorite movies?

When doing this there is no right or wrong answer. This is based on what you think your character would say. As rehearsals and performances go by, these answers can change. This is a good thing to keep you and your role engaging!

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Filed Under: Art, Theater Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

The Need for Arts Education

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philade...
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In many states around the country, schools are cutting programs at a rapid rate! Unfortunately, the fine arts are being cut due to lack of state funding. Even if school administration keeps certain educational programs in the arts, they are minimized and resources are still scares. In Illinois alone, over 70 percent of schools are having a harder time keeping children engaged because they have no creative outlet.

Arts Education is important in child development. It is way for the youth to express themselves and find out more about who they are at an early age. For example, if you talk to the average actor, most will say that they knew becoming an entertainer was in their blood from childhood. Attendants in schools where up by at least ten percent, 15-20 years ago when the Fine Arts were accessible. This was due to children looking forward to other avenues, verses repetitious learning in mandatory courses.

Fine Arts can be used as an outlet to give off “steam”, in a sense to help with dealing with stress for school and home life. It’s a way for children to express feeling and emotions that can sometimes be hard to talk about. Self esteem is developed in confidence, assisting the way they see themselves and the accomplishments they achieve though artistic projects. This in fact could be a reason why many school children, (K-8th grade) are experiencing bulling in school these days to help them cope with their aggressions.

Above all, Fine Arts help with leaning in other academic courses. It teaches students to deal with comprehension, reasoning, imagination, and focusing. This in term causes them not to give up so easily on other challenges like math and science. It includes opening them up to new worlds discovering cultures. Through studying different paintings, dances, or artifacts, they learn about others history as well as how they lived!

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