Colleges in Idaho

[isabel]

I know about BYU. But with my background in fine arts. I wondering what colleges have a strong major in Fine Arts. A good program. Does Boise have anything to offer?

I love taking art classes.

Catch you later.

Izzy

[isabel]

Are there no art colleges in Idaho?

Izzy

[RodFarlee]

Originally Posted by isabel

Are there no art colleges in Idaho?

UI in Moscow had a very creditable fine arts program for a university of its size, in a state of this size. Boise State College was, not long ago, a two-year junior college; it is now now nominally a four year university, but has depth only in business and engineering, and those programs are very narrow in scope (they don't cover their fields comprehensively). As BSU has grown, UI has been systematically starved of resources, and it's Fine Arts programs have suffered. Still, UI is much stronger in Fine Arts than BSU.

The fundamental problem is that Idaho has the resources to support one good university. For political reasons, it chooses to support three at mediocre levels. The reason is geography: Idaho is effectively three states, with "capitals" in Salt Lake, Boise and Spokane.

Speaking of which, UU and UW have excellent Fine Arts programs.

[PDXnative]

My Wife went to Albertson's College of Idaho (liberal arts college in Caldwell).

[isabel]

Did she like the art classes there? I'm interested in relief printing and painting.

Izzy

[PDXnative]

It is an expensive college. I would go with BSU.

[isabel]

BSU...Bosie State University? Is it a nice college? Do you know what majors they strong in?

Izzy

[OhEe]

BSU is a University. It has been a four year college for quite a number of years now. Albertson's is about the same price as BSU is for an out of state resident though and they have a stronger Art's program.

[WendyBG]

Originally Posted by RodFarlee

UI in Moscow had a very creditable fine arts program for a university of its size, in a state of this size. Boise State College was, not long ago, a two-year junior college; it is now now nominally a four year university, but has depth only in business and engineering, and those programs are very narrow in scope (they don't cover their fields comprehensively). As BSU has grown, UI has been systematically starved of resources, and it's Fine Arts programs have suffered. Still, UI is much stronger in Fine Arts than BSU.

The fundamental problem is that Idaho has the resources to support one good university. For political reasons, it chooses to support three at mediocre levels. The reason is geography: Idaho is effectively three states, with "capitals" in Salt Lake, Boise and Spokane.

Speaking of which, UU and UW have excellent Fine Arts programs.

I'm confused. Does the state of ID support universities in other states?
Wendy

[RodFarlee]

Originally Posted by WendyBG

I'm confused. Does the state of ID support universities in other states?
Wendy

I'm sorry if that was confusing. Let me try again.

Idaho is a geographically, economically, culturally, and politically divided state. In many ways, it acts like three separate states. Each region of the state looks to a different economic, and in many ways, cultural center. (If you live in Idaho Falls or Coeur d'Alene, and say "we're going to the big city for shopping and a concert", no one assumes you're going to Boise!) And because of the divided political power in the state, each region has it's own university.

The three regions are:
North Idaho: looks to Spokane, has UI/Moscow.
Southwest Idaho: centered in Boise, has BSU.
Southeast Idaho: looks to Salt Lake, has ISU/Pocatello.

Because Idaho has limited tax revenue, each of these three universities are, well, frankly, not what they would be if Idaho chose to have only one major research university. Most other states* of comparable population do so, with better results. Idaho's reasons for not doing so are political, not educational.

The quality of higher education should be a major issue in Idaho, but it is not.

(Prior to about 1970, Idaho did have only one major research university: UI. But the growth of BSC into BSU has badly starved it of funds ever since.)

*WY, ME, DE, LA, ND, AK, NM, IN, NE, OK, KY, MD, HI, etc.