2007.06.18: June 18, 2007: Headlines: COS - Panama: Art: Baltimore Examiner: Panama RPCV Fred Lazarus has been president of the Maryland Institute College of Art since 1978
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2007.06.18: June 18, 2007: Headlines: COS - Panama: Art: Baltimore Examiner: Panama RPCV Fred Lazarus has been president of the Maryland Institute College of Art since 1978
Panama RPCV Fred Lazarus has been president of the Maryland Institute College of Art since 1978
"Baltimore is a terrific city for an art student because it is small enough that you can get around. It’s accessible, and there are a lot of resources for art students. Its location on the East Coast is also of great value. We run bus trips every other week to New York, and we run bus trips regularly to Philadelphia. There is a lot of access to other art communities up and down the East Coast. And some of Baltimore’s earthy qualities give it the kind of character that artists enjoy and benefit from."
Panama RPCV Fred Lazarus has been president of the Maryland Institute College of Art since 1978
Major prerequisite is passion for art
Jun 18, 2007 3:00 AM (12 hrs ago)
by Megan McIlroy, The Examiner
BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Fred Lazarus, 65, has been president of the Maryland Institute College of Art since 1978. Previously, he was staff assistant to the chairman of the National Endowment of the Arts. Lazarus, who received a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard University, also served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Panama. He earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from Claremont-McKenna College in California.
Q How does a student who is talented in art know whether he or she is suited for art school?
A One of the things that is particularly helpful to these students is that there are now wonderful — and intensive — summer programs that high school kids can take in the arts. These programs do two things: One, they really help young people understand what the level of their passion is, and whether or not they want to spend the kind of determined effort that’s necessary to be an art student; and two, they help students develop portfolios, which are part of the admission criteria. [The summer programs] tend to be about two to four weeks. But they really provide students with the opportunity to find out if they are interested in making art 10 hours a day.
Q What kind of student appeals to MICA?
A There are many students who have what I would characterize as a more passive interest in art — they have always enjoyed it, but they don’t want to make it their life’s work. In a college like MICA, you really need passion. And if you have passion in art, then you will thrive in this environment. If you don’t have it, you probably won’t be happy here.
Q What do students need to be accepted?
A In our case, because we are fortunate enough to attract many of the best kids from around the country and world, our standards are very rigorous for what we call portfolio work and academic work. We are interested in extracurricular activities that may tell us if a student is motivated. Academically, our students are as strong as those in all the liberal arts colleges in Maryland — with the exception of Johns Hopkins University, maybe.
Q What makes MICA different from other art schools?
A There are a number of things. One is that we have a liberal arts approach to an art education. It’s specialized, but we want students to learn from a broad base of disciplines.
We’ve also become increasingly more project-based and collaborative-based, so students, by the time they become juniors and seniors, can take on some pretty sophisticated work.
We also have a long tradition of commitment to the intellectual development of our students, believing that good artists and good designers are smart artists and smart designers.
Q Are MICA students required to take liberal arts courses?
A About a third of the course load is in the liberal arts.
Q How does MICA’s location in Baltimore enhance a student’s experience?
A Baltimore is a terrific city for an art student because it is small enough that you can get around. It’s accessible, and there are a lot of resources for art students. Its location on the East Coast is also of great value. We run bus trips every other week to New York, and we run bus trips regularly to Philadelphia. There is a lot of access to other art communities up and down the East Coast. And some of Baltimore’s earthy qualities give it the kind of character that artists enjoy and benefit from.
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Headlines: June, 2007; Peace Corps Panama; Directory of Panama RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Panama RPCVs; Art; Maryland; Peace Corps Bibliography; Peace Corps Directory; Peace Corps History; Peace Corps Message Board; Peace Corps Headlines
When this story was posted in July 2007, this was on the front page of PCOL:
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Story Source: Baltimore Examiner
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Panama; Art
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