For more information, call 908-757-7171 Monday – Friday between 9am – 4pm.
duCret is CURRENTLY ACCEPTING
APPLICATIONS FOR FALL 2013 REGISTRATION!!!
To apply click here for downloadable application form.
To schedule a PRE-APPLICATION TOUR and ‘get-to-know-you consultation’, contact the school office at 908-757-7171, Monday – Friday, 9am – 4pm.
THE BIG COLLEGE QUESTION: Do I or don’t I?
When considering your future opportunities and comparing them against current world events, it can be a mighty confusing maze of information and career propaganda to sort through – just to find the path of study that is right for you. You may be asking yourself – does a college degree truly matter? What other ways can you get started in the world? What are all your available options? The duCret School of Art keeps the tuition facts and enrollment process exquisitely simple. You are not run through a corporate haze of institutionalized advertising campaigns, heavy recruiting programs, nor will you be intimidated by super-huge & sterile campus environments. You will not come for a tour and be pressured at all to immediately enroll, because 1) we are NOT a For-Profit school 2) You must actually have verified artistic talent to be able to enroll (determined in preliminary consultation) and 3) your personal success means everything to us (as you will ultimately become an alumni of a long history of world renowned artists!)
Here are key things to know, when comparing duCret to other educative systems:
The duCret School of Art, as a Non-profit = affordable tuition costs. duCret is not in the business to make money off of tuitions as most for-profit colleges and teaching institutions are, as duCret receives grants that helps keep tuition costs completely affordable. Comparative to college and trade school tuitions that range from $14,000.00 per year to $50,000.00+ per year, duCret’s tuition costs have barely risen in a decade and are at $8,600 per year + $1,200.00 for art materials. Tuition payment plans are available and qualifying students can apply for certain grants. duCret also offers Part Time and One-Class-at-a-Time programs for working students, enabling anyone who seriously desires to be a professional artist – the opportunity to develop into being one!
College or Art School?
The duCret School of Art is legendary and is NJ’s oldest art school, with a focus on artist entrepreneurship. You will be training and receiving professional art education and art business principles through one of the state’s most historic icons and will train in a school that carries a legendary history of world recognized artists. Founded in 1926, duCret has long been a major center for the development of artistic talent in the state. Listed among the many who have studied at duCret are nationally acclaimed painters, portrait artists and illustrators, as well as graphic designers who are now affiliated with some of the nation’s most prestigious advertising agencies. You will spend three years doing art and ONLY YOUR ART! What do you think you could accomplish in three years of focusing solely on your professional art career?
The duCret School of Art maintains purposefully small class sizes. The professionals who teach at duCret are well established artisans who bring insight along with an extensive wealth of knowledge to their respective classroom environments. You will be training in small classes by those who are eager to pass on their extensive experience and knowledge to you in your chosen field of art. Less students in a classroom means a more personable environment where no stone is unturned and where students can freely ask questions as they learn. On average, no more than 12 – 15 students are assigned to a class.
The duCret School of Art is a Central NJ artist community resource. Unlike a large campus/corporate facility duCret has always maintained a more personalized environment. Not only is duCret a school for professional working artists, it is a community resource and long-standing artist’s haven. On campus there are 8-10 professional artists who rent lofts. There are four community Open Studios where students, local artists, interested beginners and faculty gather together on the art floor to paint, draw or do ceramics. There are Children/Teen Workshops and Summer Art Camp, various workshops offered by professional artists throughout the year, a Summer Adult Art Program and several art shows throughout the year – to which students are encouraged to participate. One need not commute to NYC or Philly to receive top notch training.
The duCret School of Art students are not just spit out into the world after graduation. They actually become active alumni, participating in art shows and gallery events that they were initially introduced to while in class. By the time a student graduates from duCret, he or she has acquired a large supportive network via not only working peers, but though intimate relations with faculty members whom they have gotten to know by working closely with them for three years. duCret stands as one of NJ’s iconic art communities, therefore duCret students are never left hanging to the wind once they graduate. In fact, many stay on, taking continuing classes with favorite master teachers. This family oriented approach enables students to face the world with a strong support network and a continuous stream of art opportunities and resources that are available to them, including Open Studios. By the time a duCret student graduates, he or she has developed a strong business networking system that will bring opportunities for years to come! One can choose from 3 Majors: Graphic Design, Illustration or Fine Art. One can become a specialized professional in: jewelry making, ceramics & pottery, stained glass, airbrush, oil, pastel, water color, acrylic, charcoal, photography, silkscreen, and more. Since professional and active artisians who are multi-published authors/painters, gallery owners or commercial studio owners are your mentors and teachers - the bonds made with them during shool years do not have to break after graduation!
**Large tuition debts do not hound duCret graduates for the next 2 decades! duCret School of Art is a non-profit school, therefore tuition has been purposefully kept extremely low, comparatively speaking and as a result, many students have found a way to pay off their tuition by graduation time. Many duCret students are actively engaged in seeking and attaining professional jobs related to their chosen paths by the time they’re in their third year. Incoming jobs, brought into the classrooms by their teachers who have access to clientele, are yet another way students can build business relations, as well as their professional portfolios. As duCret is also an established artist’s haven in the state of NJ, graduating students are heavily encouraged to keep ties via shows, galleries, events, workshops and Open Studios held annually at duCret.
In today’s world there are many opportunities available to high school graduates, including studying at duCret. In the end, no matter what path you choose to take, no choice is wrong so long as you are fully informed as to our opportunities AND financial responsibilities before you embark on a plan forward! Interested students may call the school at 908-757-7171 to arrange a tour between 9am – 4pm, Mon – Fri.
Want a chance to get to know us even better?
Every day is OPEN HOUSE AT duCRET!
Schedule a tour and mini consult session to learn about our school and how it could help you get started in an art career! Tour the facility, meet students and faculty and the Director of our school. Collect brochures and inquire about our 3 year art career and part time programs. Come in groups or solo or with parents. Art teachers are encouraged to organize group visits. Queries: call 908-757-7171.
http://www.thehighschoolgraduate.com/editorial/NJ/graphicarts.htm – An Article by duCret Instructor Dean Field
TO APPLY: Fill out application form and mail with $25.00 fee to duCret School of Art.
Schedule Interview/Portfolio Review: duCret will notify you and invite you to schedule an interview within 7 days receipt of your application.
Prepare Your Portfolio NOW: A portfolio can consist of an entire collection or just a few great pieces. We’re not interested in volume. We want to access your talent levels and learned art skills. So put your best foot forward and present us only your best pieces. (Can be digital, ceramic pieces, jewelry pieces or standard painting/sketch portfolio). All student applicants must have a GED or be in process of getting a high school diploma. We don’t rate your test scores – we rate your talent and your passion to become a working professional artist!
PRE-APPLICATION TOUR: Students with Parents/Gardians are welcome to come tour the school before the application process. Just call 908-757-7171 between 9 – 4pm, Monday – Friday. (Sorry – no Saturday tour times now, however, early weekday evening tours can be arranged). For those over 18, you can tour without a parent.
SUMMER OPEN STUDIO’S for High School Students 16+
If you are 16+, (with parental permission) you can attend any of our weekly Open Studio’s year round (according to posted schedules). Tap our website’s WORKSHOPS TAB for more info on all open studio’s. Tap our blog for a look-see on what really happens at Open Studio’s. Develop your artistic gifts in a professional artist’s haven! Gain tips from art professionals, duCret instructors, duCret students and make connections in the art world EARLY ON! You can learn about and even participate in some art shows, local gallery events and more!
Photography Meetup Group for High School Juniors and Seniors
If you are 16+, (with parental permission) you can attend any of our Photography and Photoshop Workshops. Simply sign into our meetup group http://www.meetup.com/The-Art-of-Photography-and-Photoshop/ and receive notices for all workshops related to Photography and Photoshop. At workshops you can gain tips on camera techniques, lighting, outdoor shooting and more. Beginners to advanced welcome! RSVP for workshops online.
OPPORTUNITIES for High School Students are numerous and all throughout the year! We can help you to get started in a career in art before you even graduate, for just being involved in a working artist’s community resource center is a HUGE opportunity in and of itself. duCret has an 85 year history of educating some of the world’s most prestigious illustrators and portrait painters. But with the expansion to digital – we now encompass the very latest developments in the computer art world as well. Whether you’re into photography, animation, cartooning, fantasy art, web design & social media, ceramics, jewelery making, painting, illlustration, sculpture, airbrushing, silk screen, stained glass, fashion illustration or interior design – duCret, being NJ’s oldest art institution – is a fantastic entry to your career as a working professional artist! High School junior and senior students can sign up for summer workshop programs that can range from 1 day workshops to 10 week ones. With about 30 workshops to choose from – summer’s at duCret are a great way to gain foundational skills.
