Are art internships usually paid or unpaid?

What is your opinion on the Art Institutes?

• I attended Savannah College of Art and Design (one of the best art schools in the country) for about two years, and then had to move and am considering finishing online through the school. I now live near the Art Institute of Austin though so I'm torn between the two since at AI I'd be able to go to physical classes, meet people, etc. Or there's the option of not finishing my degree at all... I am a photography student, and although I don't know all the ins and outs of photography I think with a couple internships and some practice I'd learn everything I would at school, but for free. I'm worried about being in a lot of debt... my first two years were paid for but now the rest is up to me. Are the Art Institutes worth it? Should I finish online at risk of owing tons of money? Or forget art school all together? Check out my blog by the way if you'd like to see my work... sunnielee.tumblr.com

• Answer:

  It is very expensive. I tend to think of it as a college for lots of hands-on practical skills, it would not really be comperable to the college you went to. It is more commercially-oriented. On the other hand, there are a lot of great instructors, and with your degree they provide services to help you find a job after you graduate, which fine arts schools do not do. I have known a lot of very successful people to come out of AI, andas a for profit school, they have a definite focus on getting people into industry, which may make the extra expense worthwhile.