NAS- what the Atelier system really means for students...

The so called Atelier teaching method, where the school is run by practicing artists has its benefits, like a core of fantastic artists who are also fantastic teachers, but also leads to student's needs being relegated to the bottom of the schools priorities.
The downfalls to this method is that department heads employ people not for their educative abilities but there profile in the commercial art world. This means many bad teachers, that have bad attendance and narrow minded views about art, are entrenched in positions. The so called hands on teaching is actually not true, as these teachers are not often in class or able to offer open minded advice. As far as hands on teaching goes, many teachers are not willing or able to give practical advice, which is antithetical to the school's mission. I can relate many particular ( anonymous) cases of this. This situation will not change under current management because its priority is looking after the practicing artists who are their colleagues, not the interests of students who are treated like second class citizens at the school.
Let me reiterate:the purpose of this blog is to improve NAS, a school worth preserving,, for students.