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As one of the nation’s oldest private art colleges, Columbus College of Art & Design’s small classes and tight knit community may harken back to simpler times but there’s nothing simplistic or insignificant about its animation program. Though a relatively young program, the college has long been turning out successful graduates working in animation (many of whom were cultivated in CCAD’s Illustration and Media Studies programs). Today, the Animation department continues to catch the attention of those in the know- bolstering its compelling list of industry partners as well as successful working alumni.

Though its history as an art school dates back to Victorian times, the UK’s University for the Creative Arts Farnham was more recently purpose-built for artists in mind. Today, it serves alongside the other UCA campuses and boasts a slew of tempting programs including a distinguished animation department. Along with a vibrant creative community and quick commute to London, acclaimed faculty and alumni attract budding artists to its campus in the south of England (its most recent alumnus in the news is Chris Butler, ’95, co-director and screenwriter of the Oscar-nominated animated film ParaNorman).

Massachusetts College of Art & Design, better known as MassArt, was founded in the latter half of the nineteenth century to serve as a training school for drawing teachers in Boston. Today, it’s a publicly funded art school which has grown to encompass a plethora of top ranked departments including an animation program rivaling any other.

Where did the nominees go to school? 

Career success in animation is a function of many things including talent, perseverance, training, experience, skill, and good old-fashioned being in the right place at the right time. With the 2013 Academy Awards behind us, we thought it would be interesting to see where the Oscar nominees for Best Animated Feature and Best Animated Short Film went to college.