Studying art – free arts, fine arts or applied arts: which art degree is the best? What are the advantages and disadvantages? What suits your personal interests best? And what are the differences anyway? We have put together answers to these questions.
Art degrees in Germany
When people in Germany talk about “fine art”, they mean a kind of collective term for visual art forms. This originally included architecture (or “architecture”), sculpture, painting, drawing, graphics and photography, but also arts and crafts. Anyone who is aiming for an art degree or a degree in fine art today will find that the courses often differentiate between “free art” and “applied art”. Of course, you can study “free art” and still create applied art afterwards. Courses with the general designation “fine art” usually tend towards free art. But one thing at a time.
Studying free art
Free art is the opposite of applied art and “serves no purpose, but only for contemplation and aesthetic edification”. It is therefore art as an end in itself. There are numerous courses for fine art in Germany. The focus of the course is artistic practice, supplemented by lectures and seminars on art history, art science, aesthetics and philosophy.
Aims of the course
The course enables students to try out different materials and methods. The practical areas include painting, sculpture, free graphics and new media. Specialization only takes place over the course of the course. Another focus is on the students’ self-reflection, as the artistic career is very individual. In addition, job-relevant skills such as self-marketing and exhibition management are taught. The course usually lasts ten semesters and usually ends with a diploma, less often with a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Requirements for art degrees
For admission, a high school diploma, a subject-specific university entrance qualification or a university of applied sciences entrance qualification are usually required. In some cases, completed vocational training or professional experience is sufficient. The application portfolio with your own works that demonstrate artistic talent is particularly important. If the portfolio is successfully assessed, an aptitude test follows, which can include a practical task or an interview.
Career prospects for graduates
Most graduates of fine art aspire to a career as a freelance artist. However, only a few manage to make a living from their art alone. Many therefore have a second job, often in arts and crafts or a related field.
Alternative career fields
In addition to freelance artistic work, graduates find employment in museums, the art trade, in monument preservation, in publishing houses, media, advertising agencies or theaters. Jobs in the field of communication, industrial or product design are also open to them. Income depends largely on the chosen profession and one’s own marketing.
Studying Applied art
Applied art focuses on the design of everyday and everyday objects. In contrast to fine art, the focus here is on practical application – the result is functional objects with aesthetic appeal.
Study options
There is no “study of applied art” in Germany. Instead, students choose a specific subject in advance that corresponds to the profession they are aiming for. Possible areas of study or training range from cabinetmaking and wood carving to graphic or fashion design. If you feel up to studying art abroad, you can find comprehensive programs in France, for example, that combine various disciplines such as graphics, interior design, fashion and arts and crafts under one roof.
Duration of studies and degrees
The duration of the studies varies depending on the subject and usually ranges from two to five years. Many courses are designed as short courses. The degrees awarded vary – state universities award recognized degrees, while private schools often issue their own certificates. With private degrees, you should carefully check how recognized they are in professional life in order to avoid later disadvantages when looking for a job.
Admission requirements
The entry requirements vary depending on the university or training institution. Since there are fewer state-recognized programs, private schools are often more selective. As a rule, an application portfolio and an entrance exam or interview are required. While formal school qualifications can vary, in this area the artistic ability of the applicant is what counts most. By the way, the Academy of Fine Art Germany in Bad Homburg does not require a portfolio or interviews. We believe that anyone can learn to paint, draw and sculpt, provided they are interested enough. Here you can find out more about the training courses at our Academy.
Career prospects
In contrast to fine art, career opportunities in applied art are more closely tied to the chosen field. Due to the specialization, switching to other areas is difficult – for example, a fashion design graduate cannot simply work as a cabinetmaker, although both disciplines belong to applied art.
Art as A Science
Anyone who is interested in art from a theoretical perspective can study art history or art history. The course imparts knowledge about different art periods, the development history of art and methods of work analysis. In addition, scientific working methods are learned. As the course progresses, students specialize in certain topics, such as painting from the 15th to the 19th century, aesthetics and art theory, fine art in the 20th and 21st centuries or modern art and museum history. In addition to lectures, internships are also part of the curriculum at many universities. The bachelor’s degree usually lasts six semesters. Afterwards, there is the option of completing a master’s degree.
Studying Art, yes or no?
Studying fine arts – be it free or applied arts – may seem challenging at first glance. But the often feared hurdles such as preparing an application portfolio or the admission interview can be easily overcome with good preparation. There are numerous courses, workshops and advice services that make the application process easier. The biggest challenge is often finding the right area within art for you. But instead of being put off by the variety of options, you should get involved and try new things. Many artists only discover new interests and focuses during the course of their training. The most important step is to simply start – whether in fine, free or applied arts.
Kunst studieren und damit Geld verdienen? – So klappt es mit der kreativen Karriere