01About the School
An art school built around the working life of an artist.
Ricketts University — Skool of Arts is an independent online school. It teaches drawing, painting, design and production craft, and treats the professional side of an art career as part of the curriculum.
Why the school exists
Plenty of talented artists stay invisible. Their portfolios are scattered, their bios are out of date, and nobody ever taught them how to price a job, write a proposal or find the people who hire.
The school teaches craft and career together. Every course ends with something you can show: a finished piece, a portfolio section, a profile, or an application that has actually been sent.
What it is — and what it isn't
Being clear about this matters more than sounding impressive.
It is
- An online school of arts, founded and directed by a working artist.
- A structured curriculum organised into departments, courses, lessons and studio assignments.
- A private campus: dashboard, classrooms, portfolio studio and a students-only community.
- A place to build a professional presence alongside your craft.
It isn't
- An accredited college or university. It does not grant degrees or diplomas.
- Government-recognised or affiliated with any other institution.
- A video library you watch alone. Courses are built around making and feedback.
- A social network. There is no public feed and nothing is ranked by an algorithm.
Ricketts University is an independent online arts education project. It is not an accredited institution, does not grant degrees or diplomas, and is not recognized by any government. Courses lead to participation and course-completion records only.
How the school is organised
Like a traditional institution, in miniature: departments hold courses, courses hold modules, modules hold lessons and studio work.
- PRSProfessional Identity and Online PresenceAny artist whose work is better than their online presence, from beginners to working professionals.
- GDSGraphic DesignDesigners building client-ready skills and a design portfolio.
- IFAIllustration and Fine ArtsBeginners picking up a pencil, and artists who want to make finished, exhibitable or commissionable work.
- DMWDigital Media and Web DevelopmentArtists and designers who want to build and maintain their own web presence.
- CBECreative Business and EntrepreneurshipFreelancers, career-changers and artists starting to sell work or services.
- FEAFilm and Entertainment ArtsDesigners and illustrators curious about production work.
- ECTEmerging Creative TechnologiesArtists who want to adopt new tools without losing their own voice or their clients' trust.