Kingston Art

[Heatedrival]

I’m looking for some advice about my DS. He is at Kingston doing Fine Art and is really not enjoying it. He says he feels like he isn’t learning anything, is confused about what tutors want from him and thinks it’s all a huge disappointment. He had a very upsetting encounter with one of his tutors where he felt mocked and belittled.
He's so talented and has loved art his whole life it’s a shock to see him so unhappy.

I just wondered if anyone had any words of advice.

A childhood friend of one of our DCs went to Kingston for Fine Art in 2023, having done an Art Foundation at UCA Farnham in 2022/23 after leaving school. She enjoyed Farnham but hated Kingston and dropped out and is now back at Farnham.

Did your DS do an Art Foundation?

@Ceramiq No he didn’t.
That’s really interesting. I wonder what was different about the other course?

It seems as if it's mainly the students that didn't do a stand alone Art Foundation that feel as if they are not learning enough or new skills. I think it's partly because universities assume most have done a foundation and have acquired those skills. Kingston should be like Goldsmiths and Central Saint Martins and insist on a foundation if they are not going to give their students all necessary skills to develop their practice.
I've heard good things about Falmouth, lots of opportunities including studying abroad.

Choosing an art school is extremely difficult, which is one of the reasons for doing an art foundation course: it gives 18 year olds a bit more time to explore media and preferences.

There's a long-running thread about art and design degrees, which might be helpful:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/higher_education/4795276-art-and-design-at-university-for-past-present-and-future-students-and-parents?page=17

I don't know what Kingston's like but some universities are very much focused on conceptual art, which could explain why he feels like he's not learning much. Crits can be brutal - I think it rare for students not to have been in tears at some point in their degree.

If students are interested in figurative or representational art (and there is definitely a movement in that direction in the art market after a long period of domination by global conceptualism), most mainstream UK art schools won't be interesting.

Thanks for all the replies.
Yes a Foundation Year would have been ideal but although it’s free it’s not free to live and he didn’t want to do a 4 year degree.
I think he will leave and attempt to get a job while he regroups. It’s not a great situation and I feel very sad.
@zzplea Thanks I’ll look.
@Ceramiq I had noticed that from what’s happening on the smaller galleries in London.

Could he afford some of the online or onsite short courses offered by the Royal Drawing School? Might build up his confidence: he could work for a while and apply for a more appropriate course

my dd had exactly the same reaction, at quite a prestigious art school. despite doing a foundation., and that was also a let down in her opinion