Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Textile Art Schools

Textile art schools focus on all kinds of fibers and fabric.


Textile art schools include formal, accredited degree programs or informal classes for people to take from experienced textile artists. The degree programs prepare students for work as a professional in textile design and art, while the casual programs offered at arts, crafts or fiber shops teach skills to people who want to master an art form using yarn or fabric.


Accredited Programs


The Northern New Mexico College offers a two-year course in fiber arts and a one-year weaving certification on its El Rito campus. The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) offers bachelor's and master's degree programs and students can attend its four world-wide locations or take classes online. Its campuses are in Atlanta, Savannah, Hong Kong and Lacoste, France. These programs offer classes in spinning, weaving, yarn dying and other textile arts. SCAD helps its students find internships and jobs in the field of textiles. The Tyler School of Art Fibers and Materials offers degree programs at Temple University in Philadelphia. Degrees include a bachelor's and master's degrees in Fine Arts.








Community Classes


Numerous retail stores that provide fabrics, yarns and weaving supplies hold classes throughout the year where students may be able to use the store's looms and receive discounts on the yarn used for student projects. These classes occur on weeknights or weekends during the day. The Fiber Factory in Mesa, Arizona, holds ongoing classes that teach students spin yarn, dye yarn, weave in many different styles, knit and crochet. Major chains like JoAnn's hold classes to teach quilting methods, sewing and other fiber arts and crafts.


Museums


Some large art museums have schools of art, like the Chicago Institute of Art that teach classes in the fiber arts. The program in Chicago offers day and evening classes devoted to all aspects of textile arts. Other museum programs include the Kansas City Art Institute whose four-year college offers classes in textile arts. Students can pursue a bachelor's in Fine Arts or take continuing education classes through the museum.








Private Schools


Private art schools offer classes in the fiber arts, like Sievers School in Washington Island, Wisconsin. This school is dedicated to teaching textile arts exclusively and classes run from May through October. Other art schools like The Renaissance Center in Dickson, Tennessee, provide more limited programs for the textile arts. People who want to focus on a particular aspect of the fiber arts can select the individual classes at private schools without having to meet academic requirements.

Tags: fiber arts, textile arts, degree programs, arts crafts, bachelor master