About

The duCret School of Art (1926) is NJ's oldest Non-Profit Art School & Community Art Center. Listed among the many who have studied at duCret are nationally acclaimed painters, portrait artists and illustrators, as well as graphic designers who are now affiliated with some of the nation’s most prestigious advertising agencies. The professionals who teach at duCret are well established artisans who bring insight along with an extensive wealth of knowledge to their respective classroom studios. Majors are offered in: Graphic Design/Computer Graphics, Fine Art, Illustration and Interior Design. Full-time students can complete the 90 credit program in three years. Students may also enroll on a part-time basis, taking as few as one class per week. duCret is also a community resource center for the arts and hosts Open Studios, workshops, children's art programs and art shows for the general public throughout the year.

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

Since it was founded in 1926, the duCret School of Art has been continuously offering high quality post-secondary visual arts education, and holds the distinction of being the oldest private art school in New Jersey. The School officially became a private, non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation under the name “duCret School of the Arts, Inc.” in 1970. Originally located in a large carriage house in a residential area of Plainfield, the school moved several times over the years as the student body grew in number. In 1977 duCret moved to its present location, the George A. Strong Residence/Wardlaw School campus, at 1030 Central Avenue adjacent to the Van Wyck-Brooks Historic District of Plainfield.

The duCret School of Art is governed by a Board of Trustees that oversees the general well being of the school and assures that the school has the support and resources needed to carry out its mission and purpose. The school also has an Advisory Committee which plays an integral role in reviewing course content, facilities, equipment, and learning resources, and makes recommendations based on changing trends in the art field. The director of duCret works as liaison between the governing bodies and oversees all aspects of academic and student life. The school is approved by the State of New Jersey Department of Education/ Labor and Workforce Development; and is a member of the Private Career Schools Association of New Jersey.

MISSION

Since the school’s inception, its mission is to create an institution in central New Jersey where students can obtain an art education comparable with that found in schools and academies in America’s cities and cultural centers. The duCret mission has remained constant, with the commitment to provide students with an intensive professional art education in a dynamic yet personalized environment. The small studio classes at duCret allow for close interaction between students and practicing artists and designers who serve as faculty members. For over 85 years, duCret has provided a unique cross-disciplinary approach to teaching. By blending the visual arts together we are able to effectively train students to have a broad base of knowledge this has helped our students become artists who adapt and excel in the ever-evolving art world.

THE duCRET COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER
Besides our longstanding record of excellence in art education, we are also proud of our tradition of community service. Families with children as young as 6 can become involved in the art community at duCret year round. Services and programs provides are:

Open Studios

Children Art Programs
Teen Art Programs
Children Summer Art Camp
Teen Summer Art Camp
Adult Summer Workshops
Shows & Exhibitions
Ceramics Studio
Graphic Design Services
Theatre & Classroom Rentals
Annual High School Art Show
In-School Presentations

Along with the many post-secondary art programs offered during the week, the school also offers Saturday programs for young artists ages 6 to 15. These highly praised weekend classes, along with the two week summer art camp, give many local children the unique opportunity to explore and develop their individual artistic talents. Since 1980, duCret has sponsored an annual art competition for New Jersey high school students. The show, which has become one of the most prestigious and highly anticipated venues for high school students to show their work, has exhibited the art of more than 10,000 students representing nearly 100 different New Jersey high schools.

For more than twenty years the school has provided design services to non-profit organizations throughout central New Jersey. The Design Group clients have included the N.J. Young Playwrights, Plainfield Symphony, Muhlenberg Hospital, the United Way of Plainfield, Central Jersey Chamber of Commerce, The Somerset County Cultural Heritage, Somerset County 4-H  and many more. duCret faculty members have also conducted in-service workshops for the art teachers in high schools throughout the state. The school has made available its all purpose meeting room for a variety of community groups including, The Plainfield Symphony, the People's Organization for Progress and the the Girl scouts.

We believe that our positive presence and active involvement in Plainfield and the surrounding towns have had a major impact and far-reaching effect on the cultural and educational life of the area. The student body of  approximately 100 is comprised of individuals from all ethnic and social backgrounds, ranging in age from recent high school graduates to adults continuing their education for personal enrichment (18 to 80).  Additionally, the School offers a children’s art program for elementary and high school students (6 to 18) with eight scholarships given annually to local Plainfield students.  Students come from the local community, Union County, throughout New Jersey and as far away as neighboring and northeastern states.

FACULTY

The School’s executive director, Frank Falotico, works as liaison between the governing bodies and oversees all aspects of academic and student life.  He has a B.A. from Monmouth College, is a graduate of the duCret School of Art and has studied at the Art Students League in New York.  He has exhibited in numerous shows in New Jersey and New York.  His work is in many private and public collections, including the Midlantic Bank Corp.  The faculty consists of twenty-five professional artists and designers.  They offer students a dynamic environment and the opportunity to experience the insight, knowledge and up-to-date skills of the professional artist.  A staff of four, some with the school for more than fifteen years, handles daily administrative and curatorial projects.  In addition to professional faculty and staff, the school is supported by over twenty volunteers including a fundraising committee, the Friends of duCret, and a student council.

The duCret School of Art is positioned in the center of New Jersey and easily accessible from major highways.  It is also convenient to New Jersey Transit bus and rail lines.More information can be obtained by contacting the school at (908) 757-7171 or visiting the web site www.duCret.edu.