FAQ

​

Am I good enough to apply?

No matter what your skill level, no matter what your background, SARA will help you grow and improve. SARA has students fresh out of high school, students with years of training at other art schools and universities, as well as professional painters. Because it is a small school, everyone at SARA gets intensive individual attention. Everyone’s progress and development is closely monitored and the instruction they receive is tailored to their individual needs. No one slips through the cracks. You do not need to be concerned about your skill level when you begin your studies. It is not your skill level or natural talent that will determine your success as a student, it is your determination, passion and dedication. If you are concerned that your lack of skill might keep you from being accepted, please visit our Before and After gallery. What is important for us is your attitude. With the right attitude we can help you to amazing results.  

 

Can I get CSN to study at SARA?

Yes, SARA is officially recognized by the Swedish National Board of Education and is overseen by the Swedish National Agency for Higher Vocational Education (Myndigheten för Yrkeshögskolan). Swedish students are therefor eligible for CSN student loans.

​

I need a VISA, which course should I apply to?

You should apply to ET0010, the first one-year program.

​

How do students live in Simrishamn?

They rent a room or a flat. In some cases two or more students rent a house together.

​

What do students work with after SARA?

Many work as fine artists, full-time or part-time. Others work in the area of game design or film, as tattooers, illustrators for books and magazines etc. The sky is the limit and the choices are multiple.

​

Which method do you work with?

SARA gets excellent results from its students. SARA uses the comparative method to teach its students because the comparative method prepares them to work easily in any possible situation.  Most schools of realistic art use the sight-size method to teach their students despite the fact that it is very limiting and requires a very specific set-up. There is NO sight-size at SARA!  We want our students to work freely and confidently anywhere, in any circumstances and in any scale/size.

​

Can I keep my own style?

SARA takes pride in making the extra effort to foster each individual student’s personal voice while they learn within the larger academic framework. We want our students to grow into themselves, not develop a “look” to their work that can be attributed to a certain school. When the academic training is very strict and structured, and a great part of the focus is technical, there can be a loss of creativity. This intensive pursuit of technical excellence can almost make one forget why one wanted to paint in the first place. At SARA, our goal is to help students maintain their passion and purpose, and to never forget that technique exists not for its own sake, but as an important tool towards achieving creative freedom. 

​

How much is the cost for materials?

Art materials are not included in the term fee, SARA have a small selection of materials for sale at the school but students are also free to buy their own if they prefer. SARA sells for example pencils, charcoal, paper, paint, brushes and canvas.

In the first year of study, the students use mainly pencil, charcoal and paper and the estimated cost for this would be around 1500 SEK for the year. In the second year of study, the students generally start painting in the second term and use more materials such as paint, brushes, oil, solvent and canvas, the estimated cost would be around 3000 SEK for the year depending on quality and quantity. The third year is about the same as the second year but depending on quality and quantity of materials an estimated total cost would be around 4500 SEK for the year.

 

How is it to be a student at SARA after school hours?

SARA is housed in an impressive 19th-century building that perfectly supports its beautiful, inspiring and uplifting leaning environment. The staff and students come from all over the world and are from all kinds of artistic backgrounds and ages. Many students think of the school as a home away from home. They cook most of their meals here and enjoy hanging out after hours to sketch, socialize or watch a movie together on our giant projection screen, only leaving when it’s bedtime.  SARA is an intimate school. Here, you will not get lost in the crowd. We all feel like a family here and prioritize communication and support, both regarding artistic development as well as on a personal level.

 

Simrishamn, where is that?

SARA is located in the attractive coastal town of Simrishamn, in the beautiful region of Österlen – famous for it’s natural beauty and artistic tradition – in the South of Sweden. Simrishamn offers SARA and its students many benefits, including a high standard of living at a low cost. It is a small town, and most students find accommodation only a 5 -10 minute stroll from the school, which promotes a relaxed quality of everyday life and leaves more energy to focus on one’s studies. In fact, most things are within walking distance, like food stores, restaurants, shops, train station, library, the sea, beaches, etc. Also, continental Europe is very close, with the large cosmopolitan city of Copenhagen, Denmark, less than 2 hours away by train. 

​

The faculty, tell me something about it.

SARA’s teachers love their work, which contributes to the overall positive atmosphere of the school. They are highly skilled artists, who have active careers outside the school. Most are alumni of SARA, and so have an intimate and personal knowledge of the school and it’s work methods, which results in consistent instruction. Teachers also play a direct and active role in developing and improving the school, and feel personally invested in SARA. Some faculty members have their studio at the school, others in their homes, but regardless, students are invited to visit and learn from the personal work created by the faculty. Students also get the opportunity to work on projects side-by-side with their teachers, a process that is extremely valuable and stimulating.