Study art despite having a job
The path to Fine Arts, fashion design, or illustration often begins with the right degree program. Those already in the profession can rarely give up everything for full-time study. A part-time distance learning program at a private academy is then an alternative.
The Most Important Points in Brief
- State art colleges accept only a few applicants and usually require full-time study.
- Private academies have different entry paths: portfolio, interview, and entrance exam.
- The Achtzig Kunstakademie Berlin in Biesdorf offers part-time studies, for example in Fine Arts and Painting or Fashion Design.
- A strong portfolio is crucial for every application, and a preparatory course can help.
State art colleges: high hurdles
For an art degree, universities require an artistic portfolio in the appropriate field. Securing a place at a state art college or art university is difficult: subjects like Fine Arts often receive several hundred applications, and only the strongest portfolios are selected.
Depending on the university, there are additional requirements such as a minimum age, a university entrance qualification, internships, or a completed apprenticeship. Studies are usually conducted full-time. In addition to the competition, many also stand in their own way: exam anxiety or lack of self-confidence quickly lead to a rejection.
Private art academies: alternative paths to study
At private art academies, the admission requirements are less strict. A minimum age, a high school diploma, or a completed apprenticeship are often not required. Admission is based on a portfolio, interview, and entrance exam.
Some academies have their own programs for working professionals. Achtzig Kunstakademie Berlin, for example, describes its part-time art studies with flexible scheduling and individual support, explicitly also for people over 30 and without a high school diploma. How distance learning can help sell your own art can be read in the article Distance Learning and Senior Studies in Art and Painting.
Degree programs at the Achtzig Kunstakademie Berlin
The Achtzig Kunstakademie Berlin is located at Weißenhöher Straße 14 in 12683 Berlin-Biesdorf. It is led by the painter and gallery owner Diana Achtzig. Offered are, among others:
- Fine Art and Painting
- Fashion Design
- Illustration
- Stage Design
- Film and Stage Costume
- Art Marketing
Appointments for study counseling, aptitude tests, and registration are given by the academy through its contact page.
What belongs in the application portfolio
Whether state university or private academy: The portfolio decides. A portfolio preparation course is useful if you are applying for Fine Arts, Painting, Fashion Design, Illustration, Art Education, Architecture, Set Design, or Costume Design. A convincing portfolio should include:
- free artistic works
- precise drawings, for example from nature
- various drawing and painting techniques
- works that combine multiple disciplines
- a recognizable common thread in the choice of themes
Each university sets its own format and scope, often A2 or A1. Read the requirements carefully, even for digital applications: During the interview, you may be asked about the original sizes. The article Application Portfolio for Art Studies: 10 Mistakes You Should Avoid highlights typical mistakes.