New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-24
THE ACADEMY OF DESIGN.
PLANS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ITS
SCHOOLS OF INSTRUCTION.

SCHOOLS OF INSTRUCTION.
Ambitious plans are in contemplation by the
Council OF the National Academy Of Design re-
garding the equipment and development OF lis
schools at its future home Morningside Heights
An important and interesting statement on the
subject was made to Tribune reporter the other
day by J. Carroll Beckwith, the corresponding
secretary Of the Academy. Mr.. Beckwith has
zealously devoted himself to the cause Of art edu-
cation in New-York since 1879 and has long been
an instructor at the Art Students League.
THE schools OF the Academy" said Mr.. Beck
with. have always been seriously handicapped by
inadequate quarters even when the building was
first erected The antique department with large
easterly windows entirely unfit for inexperi-
enced students. the light was constantly chang
Ing. The life classroom and the lecture-room, the
latter now being used for the painting room, have
west windows affording equally as bad light as
the east windows for artistic purposes When you
add to this the high buildings which have gone up
about the Academy the means OF properly housing
the student for advantageous work become
limited The Academy, however, owing to the
gifts that have been made to its school depart
ments is enabled to give excellent instruction at
low rate. 1t u.s. therefore In spite OF Its material
difficulties crowded with a Woodworking and
earnest body Of students who are preparing them
selves for sef-support in the various branches OF
ut Is a great mistake TO think that every stu
dent in art schools purposes TO become an ar
fist. The ma jority OF the students go into art IN
dustries in which the influence of one or two sea-
sons Of study in a high art school not only ADDS
10 the students regulations, but marks all their
productions with higher artistic character. POS
siby % per cent OF the students In our art schools
become teachers In different parts of the country
There is constant demand among educational in
situations everywhere for capable instructors IN
dra ting and
salaries are paid for these services Fifty per
cent OF the students, In my opinion, go into art
industries of some character. Illustration absorps
2 large number and others take up hthography,
designing OF book covers and ornament OF every
sort as applied to manufacture.
1T IL not often realized that our art schools
supply an almost more practical means Of sup
port than our universities and artists and art in
stitutons have not failed to recognize the value OF
a practical turn TO their educational systems.
Every factory In the country employs a designer
or pays large for designs. All the best de-
signs in furniture, wall paper and stuffs are paid
for at a high rate. Enormous salaries are given
to foreign designers who come here, but 1t mas
been observed that with every moderate oppor-
tunty the American art student has shown keen
and intelligent aptitude we'll an originality
which is superior to the average Of foreign work
While the Academy OF Design will always ~ es-
sentiay school pure and simple In all us
departments. IL has nevertheless. as fundamentaI
principle the preparing Of student for sef-sup-
1T is now contemplated to begin the school
wing OF the Academy Immediately after the
October The plans when carried out, will offer
the finest school advantages TO be obtained in this
country. The lecture rooms and STUDIOS VIII DE
admirably lighted and ventila ted and 1T is to be
hoped that the art schools Of the Academy VIII
be example both in construction and admins
tration TO the schools of America SO FAR as
possible the course will be made post-graduatss
one although the rudimentary departments OF
draw wing will be maintained 10 show the methods
approved by the institution New departments
lecturers will be considerably increased II is pro-
posed to have a fine sculptural department where
engraving OF medals has also been mentioned.
Great emphasis will also be placed on the thor
and with the facilities Of the new building this
can be obtained in satisfactory manner Inc art
library 1t is expected. will be materially increased
by gifts think 1t Is also necessary 10 esiabllse
country. enabling them to pursue their , STUDIES gsn
crosby OF our American people, VINO are interested
In the development of the higher branches OF art
| pallty so small as not to be able 10 SEND some
gifted student OF the town or village to the grea
here. and have felt the need more OF tacilltatns
the studies and opportunities OF the students from
baes tbsn in the eontinmaon Of foreign scholar
ships. Heretofore all our scholarshlp iunns nave
been devoted 10 sending students TO Europe, To-
day the advantages are so great at home that the
necessity of foreign study Is greatly Iessened 4.
Is therefore. important Tor us 70 CIV the american
youth the best opportunities in our own country.
and to do that means must be found in many cases
to enable him TO carry on the three or four years
OF study necessary to develop and render OF use
his skill and originality. .
1.-THE plan OF the new building OF the Academy,
Mr. Beckwith remarked in conclusion, rs so vast
that II will far exceed the means OF the institu-
ton The land, which cost $4,000, has been en-
tirely paid for and there will be enough money
left TO begin the structure and start the schools.
Further than thar the resources Of the Academy
cannot 60 but the institution has such honor
able record in the past and its plans are so i'm
portant for the future. IL is thought that great
difficulties will not be encountered in completing
tt he decided upOn.'