See Kansas City Art Institute reviews submitted by students. Find out what students have to say about various aspects of attending Kansas City Art Institute. Read about academic experiences and campus life in these free Kansas City Art Institute reviews, or contribute your own Kansas City Art Institute review if you're a current student there.
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6 out of 7 people found this review useful.
Britney from Hannibal, MO
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments Am learning a lot The teachers are really into their work. The love the subjects they teach and thus I feel like I'm really learning a lot about the subjects. Everything is clear and straight to the point, yet very in depth.
Am enjoying being here Great enviornment. Everyone is super nice and they work their hardest to make it feel like home. The staff is very friendly and hardworking. I love the campus and the location, within walking distance of the plaza shopping district and right between the kemper and nelson atkins museum.
Bang for the buck Its pretty expensive...though that is to be expected from a private art school. I feel like I am getting my money's worth though. The housing situations cost a bit but I get a room and meals so its a good deal.
Tips for prospective students KCAI is very welcoming for new talent. Just make sure you have a good strong portfolio for review and make sure you know exactly that this is what you want to go into. Other than that just be ready for a great college experience in art!
Great for these types of students Anything that has to do with art. Painters, drawers, sculpters, animators, design, photographers, printers, art historians, and writers.
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2 out of 2 people found this review useful.
B from Kansas City, MO
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments Am enjoying being here The campus is beautiful, plus being next to the Nelson Atkins Museum is a huge plus.
Bang for the buck Freshmen get their moneys worth in wisdom, not supplies and work spaces.
Tips for prospective students Be ready to work, the school has a fairly high drop rate because kids don't expect to have to work.
Great for these types of students Hard working, inspired, put their futures before parties.
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2 out of 2 people found this review useful.
Brent from Kansas City, MO
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments Am learning a lot My education has been very thorough. KCAI's foundations program is great at pounding in the basics and getting you prepared for the years ahead. Teachers truly care about your work as they will give in depth critiques and suggest tips to improve your pieces.
Am enjoying being here I love the atmosphere and student body. Though this obviously doesn't apply to every member of the student body, most people I've encountered on campus have been generally open and friendly. The campus is a bit small but active and is in a prime location that gives students the chance to interact with the surrounding city.
Bang for the buck I'm enjoying the experience but there is no doubt in my mind that this school is over priced. Students are constantly getting nickel and dimed and sent out to buy more of their own supplies. Considering how pricey the tuition already is, I can't help but feel that a lot of these costs should already be taken care of.
Tips for prospective students Make sure you get as much financial help as possible. This school is going to cost you. My choices for schools with my major were very limited and I'm loving this school overall but I was not prepared for the extra little prices they'd be throwing in. I was able to keep my head a float but just be prepared.
Great for these types of students Students looking for a thorough art education in a great city will love KCAI. It's a great experience for an art student and even though there are very few clubs, there is always something to do.
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3 out of 4 people found this review useful. 1 person found this inaccurate.
Jamie from MD
Reviewer is A past student here.
Categories Rating Comments Did learn a lot It could have just been the luck of the draw, but in my main foundations class, I learned almost nothing. I did not feel that it was worth my time being there. My liberal arts classes were okay; I only felt like one was stupendous.
Did enjoy being here Most of my time at KCAI was really awful. The dorms are a terrible place to live, and they take their own sweet time fixing things that need fixing. There was a throbbing noise all of my second semester that kept everyone awake at night and nothing was done about it for the longest time. The food is terrible and many days I would just eat cereal for every meal because the options are just that bad. We would often walk down to QT to get food. My only enjoyment came from the few friends I made, which had nothing to do with the school itself. You need a car to get basically anywhere and overall, my experience was just not something I'd wish upon anyone.
Bang for the buck I got a pretty nice scholarship, but I hear that everyone does. For most people, it was the main reason they came to the school. If money matters more than anything, and you get a nice scholarship, go ahead. However, I personally do not feel like what money I spent on the school was worth it.
Tips for prospective students Bring a car, most definitely, because the city doesn't have a lot to offer walking-distance from the school. If you can, try to get into Oak Place, because I heard it is so much nicer than the Living Center, and if you have a car, the distance from campus doesn't matter.
Great for these types of students I guess all art students. I wanted to go into Digital Art, however, and they really REALLY dragged their feet on that, so if you want to do something along those lines, I HIGHLY recommend going somewhere else.
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1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
Sydney from Kansas City, MO
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments In three sentences it is a rigorous and creative environment. it pushes the students to be creative and resourceful while developing their skills. it is a small, bustling community.
Tips for prospective students be ready to work hard and make sure you save up money for supplies!
Academic Rigor expect to be in the studio for two to six hours a night. i have never been to a place more academically stimulating.
Dorm Life the dorms are small, with about 30 people per floor. there are a variety of living options, and the dining hall is conveniently located downstairs in the lobby.
Food and Dining the food is decent. there are always many options, but it is cafeteria food.
What to do for fun check out the westport music scene, or do lunch and shopping in the plaza.
Bang for the buck although the school is very generous with financial aid, supply costs add up! this school is expensive to attend, but in exchange you get great one on one time with professors.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus the foundations building is a warehouse- like space with arrangeable walls, built to change with different projects and classes. it is a great, creative space meant to inspire!
Great for these types of students this school is perfect for critical thinkers, hard workers, and people passionate about art!
Clubs and Activities there are only a handful of clubs on campus, but the existing clubs are highly involved. there are always a number of unofficial campus activities, like soccer on the quad, or different outings. the school is small enough that it is easy to develop a sense of community without clubs.
Greek Life there is none!
Campus Safety there is always a security officer in the dorm lobby at night, as well as patrolling guards across campus. they are always there if you need help, but there is little to no crime on campus.
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1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
Daiana from Miami, FL
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments In three sentences kansas city art institute provides an intensive education in the visual and liberal arts.
the foundations program is great because you are able to take classes in a variety of different departments and explore tons of medias and processes so you can figure out what you love to do and what you want to major in.
the environment is very friendly and small, so it feels like a family.Tips for prospective students be serious about your artwork and come in with the intention of working hard and learning as much as you possibly can. open your mind to new ways of thinking and making art.
Academic Rigor the classes are challenging for those not accustomed to an environment that focuses on art all the time.
Dorm Life the dorms are pretty standard. small rooms with a central communal bathroom. kcai seems to be really good at matching you with the perfect roommate for you, though!
Food and Dining the cafeteria could definitely use a lot of improvement. eating the same thing every week gets tiring. there are just not enough options, and the food usually doesn't taste very good anyway.
What to do for fun most of us live in studio, but there are quite a lot of parties nearby. there is also an art district of town where there are tons of galleries you can go to. there is an outdoor plaza with shops and restaurants within walking distance, but it can be difficult to do many other things if you do not have a car.
Bang for the buck the environment really sold it for me. it is located in a nice, quiet place where you can take in nature and enjoy the surroundings.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus art kids do weird things...
Great for these types of students this is a great school for people wanting a serious, focused art education. it is also a good place for those wanting to go into ceramics.
Clubs and Activities there really aren't many clubs or activities here besides a sculpture club, print club, christian club, bacc club, and a few outside activities every now and then. there are lectures every week, though, and they are pretty interesting.
Greek Life does not exist here.
Campus Safety campus security is just a phone call away and always there to keep you safe. there really isn't many cases of violence or robberies here.
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West Palm Beach, FL
Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has not been to campus.
Categories Rating Comments In three sentences I really want to go see the campus. I learned a lot when one of the teachers come to my school!
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JKS from Hutchinson, KS
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments In three sentences The faculty is great--supportive and dynamic. The program is rigorous--you will work you butt off. Great atmosphere for artists.
Tips for prospective students Be prepared to be challenged in every way.
Academic Rigor Very tough
Dorm Life Depends on your roommate and placement.
Food and Dining Not great, but passable.
What to do for fun There are unlimited opportunities--art museums, theatres, bars, museums. The school is in a great part of town
Great for these types of students If you are truly committed to a creative lifestyle this is the place for you.
Clubs and Activities Not a lot, but a few possibilities.
Greek Life None
Campus Safety Pretty good. There are sketchy neighborhoods close by. There are occasional hold ups and car break ins, but it's not on a regular basis.
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Cali from MO
Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has not been to campus.
Categories Rating Comments Academic Rigor Heard that it's rough but manageable. Only if you're up to the challenge.
Dorm Life Eh, it seems pretty decent. The only thing I've heard from others is that there is some kind of weird noise at night that keeps you up or something like that.
Food and Dining From what I've heard, the food is horrible in the cafeteria.
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