I'm planning to move to Vancouver next year and I'm thinking of pursuing a Fine Arts degree as an International Student. According to my friend, it's more affordable to take foundation courses in a community college first before transferring to an actual art school/university.
1. How true is this and how much does a semester in community college usually cost compared to an actual art school?
2. Do you know any community colleges in Vancouver (preferably near Richmond area) that offer fine arts (drawing, painting, illustration) courses? Any other info would help!
Update:@Chuckles - I'm keeping my options open to Emily Carr and Capilano. I hear they both are exemplary schools. Although as of now I am looking for a COMMUNITY COLLEGE where I can take my Fundamentals prior to taking actual majors in a university. And I believe Emily Carr is now a university.
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The Emily Carr University is one of the finest art schools in the world. Their graduates do so well there is not much point going elsewhere.
I don't know how it will be in Vancouver, but unless you are interested mainly in conceptual art I would not go to England to study art. I spent one year in a supposedly good english art program (outside London) and we basically did not have any classes. You meet a tutor for maybe an hour every two weeks, and there was an excuse for 1 hour art history class every week, and that basically was it. In addition studios closed at 7pm and were closed at the weekend. London is also one of the most expensive places on this Earth to live in, so if you are worried about money it's not the place to be. Though there is doubtlessly a lot of art going on in London, the orientation of style is going to be much more conceptual than in many other places. So if you are into conceptual art and don't need a studio much it may be fun. If you are not, go anywhere else. Personally I am not going close to any art program until I am at least guaranteed 24 hour access every day of the week. It's something easy you can ask about. If they don't have that, I don't think they are serious about art. I don't know anything about Vancouver, so I can't compare that.
Kwantlen is located in central Richmond while Langara is a 20m trip and Capilano is closer to 45min. None of them really have an awesome fine arts program but I do have a couple of friends who are pursuing a fine arts diploma at Langara. If you're willing to pay a little bit more, UBC or Emily Carr might be good, only it's hella difficult to get into Emily Carr.
I believe Capilano is now a university as well - about a year ago, several community colleges were upgraded to universities. Emily Carr is outstanding -
Langara College
Douglas College
Kwantlen Polytechnic University