"You Can't Really Make A Living Doing Art."
Sadly, as an art teacher, I hear statements like this all the time from well-meaning students and adults. Every time I do, it breaks my heart because not only is part a passionate flame being snuffed out by perceptions of the "real world" but this idea is simply NOT TRUE.
I wonder where this massive misconception comes from. I hear the term "starving artist" come up a lot, and I think we tend to envision a person who choses art as a career path as someone in a tiny studio, scarfing Ramen, bundled up in baggy sweats to save money on the heating bill, as they relentlessly pursue their often-misunderstood inspirations and wait for a big break in a trendy gallery.
Now, I'm not here to judge anyone's journey or backgound, but I do think we have to dig a little deeper. Producing your own art and working off sales is only one way to approach things (I'll talk about others in a minute). Galleries and physical points of sale are a great way to get your name out there if you're an artist, but the Internet is a tool that simply cannot be ignored. Sites such as Etsy and RedBubble are virtual global marketplaces for creative people to sell their handmade items and designs. Your online presence can be strengthened more easily than ever before with free (or inexpensive) tools such as website creation, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. Many artists that are successful with sales have made a name for themselves through several physical and virtual platforms to reach more potential customers. It also depends on the person's specific niche or audience, and what works for one artist may not work for another. This is where it may be helpful to take some sort of course work in business in order to better promote yourself and understand the intricacies of things like taxes and licensure.
But what else is there? So far, I've talked about selling handmade creations and designs. However, designing for others is a whole other side of the coin. Think of it this way- anything you have EVER come across had to be designed by somebody. Clothing, parks, buildings, furniture, vehicles, home decor, movies, shows, video games, stage sets, product packaging, logos...this list is endless. This page has some great statistics about projected job growth in this area (note that the median income for arts and design jobs is actually significantly higher than the overall median income, and there is growth projected especially in entertainment and media-based areas). I can only cover the bare bones basics in this post, but if you're interested in specific career paths in the visual arts and design sphere, this page has an amazing wealth of information.
I haven't even touched on another extensive area of potential employment in the arts, and that's the sector of humanities. Teaching, working in a museum or gallery, art therapy; these are the career paths that deal with the betterment of individuals and groups through the arts. More information about these specific avenues is readily accessible online.
I wonder where this massive misconception comes from. I hear the term "starving artist" come up a lot, and I think we tend to envision a person who choses art as a career path as someone in a tiny studio, scarfing Ramen, bundled up in baggy sweats to save money on the heating bill, as they relentlessly pursue their often-misunderstood inspirations and wait for a big break in a trendy gallery.
Now, I'm not here to judge anyone's journey or backgound, but I do think we have to dig a little deeper. Producing your own art and working off sales is only one way to approach things (I'll talk about others in a minute). Galleries and physical points of sale are a great way to get your name out there if you're an artist, but the Internet is a tool that simply cannot be ignored. Sites such as Etsy and RedBubble are virtual global marketplaces for creative people to sell their handmade items and designs. Your online presence can be strengthened more easily than ever before with free (or inexpensive) tools such as website creation, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. Many artists that are successful with sales have made a name for themselves through several physical and virtual platforms to reach more potential customers. It also depends on the person's specific niche or audience, and what works for one artist may not work for another. This is where it may be helpful to take some sort of course work in business in order to better promote yourself and understand the intricacies of things like taxes and licensure.
But what else is there? So far, I've talked about selling handmade creations and designs. However, designing for others is a whole other side of the coin. Think of it this way- anything you have EVER come across had to be designed by somebody. Clothing, parks, buildings, furniture, vehicles, home decor, movies, shows, video games, stage sets, product packaging, logos...this list is endless. This page has some great statistics about projected job growth in this area (note that the median income for arts and design jobs is actually significantly higher than the overall median income, and there is growth projected especially in entertainment and media-based areas). I can only cover the bare bones basics in this post, but if you're interested in specific career paths in the visual arts and design sphere, this page has an amazing wealth of information.
I haven't even touched on another extensive area of potential employment in the arts, and that's the sector of humanities. Teaching, working in a museum or gallery, art therapy; these are the career paths that deal with the betterment of individuals and groups through the arts. More information about these specific avenues is readily accessible online.
So You Can Make A Living With Art!
That Might Appeal To Me!
Now What?
I think we tend to be a bit overly outcome-focused when we ask students to think about their future. There's a lot of drive to become "college and career ready" and to decide "what you want to be when you grow up." There's absolutely nothing wrong with having a goal in mind and pursuing your dreams, and of course there are skills and experiences that are crucial for anyone to be fully educated in the 21st century. However, speaking specifically about a future in art, I tend to find that a lot more students have an overall love for art and they think they might want to pursue it further, but they just aren't sure what that would concretely look like for them. So, let's think a little bit more about the journey, in hopes that it will lead us to the next destination that's right for us.
12 Things to Consider Doing During Your Time in High School If You Love Art:
1. Take as many art classes as your schedule allows. Soak up the information. Learn from your teachers and classmates.
2. On that note, take one or more independent studies so you can further explore areas that interest you, and gain more experiences.
3. Keep a sketchbook. Ideally, keep it with you in your backpack or purse with a little case of "to-go" supplies so you can get something down in a moment's notice. Sketch, annotate, observe as often as you can. These don't have to be finalized works, but, rather, show your thought process and practice.
4. Keep all your artwork. Keep it safe in a portfolio or in a big folder. Don't wrinkle or fold it. If you have pieces that you are giving as gifts, take good quality pictures of them.
5. Collect things that intrigue you and inspire you. They can be physical things like a ticket stub, a vintage postcard, a feather you found on a walk. Take pictures whenever you can (I like to have a dedicated folder in my cameral roll and Google Drive for this).
6. Get involved. Talk to other students that share your passions. Participate in art-related extracurricular projects. Put work in art contests. Apply to the National Art Honor Society.
7. If finances allow, visit local museums and galleries. If you are able, think about taking an art class outside of school. See your teachers for more information (we get flyers about these things all the time!) or visit the "Resources" page on this site.
8. Talk to your guidance counselor often. They can offer you invaluable information about opportunities like scholarships and college experience classes, as well as help you get going in the direction that is the best fit for you. Go to College Night. Pay attention during Career Day- take notes and ask questions of presenters.
9. Attend a Portfolio Review Day. Here, you can show your work to college professors and other adults in the field and get their perspective. Don't worry, they aren't there to judge you and your work doesn't have to perfect or completely finalized (bring your sketches and sketchbooks, too, to show process work). A review of your work can give you another perspective and get you to think about what to explore more.
10. Make an art-dedicated social media profile (and/or website). Instagram is probably the most popular platform.
11. Search out new things. Look at art tutorials online (you totally have my permission to go down the YouTube/Pinterest rabbit hole!). Follow artists and art accounts on Twitter and Instagram. Try things out. Play around, do something new, have fun!
12. Be true to yourself, be kind to yourself. Artists share their unique experience with the world. There's nothing wrong with pushing yourself, but don't try to change yourself to fit in. Do your thing. Cosplay at a convention. Make up songs about your pets. Watch and read your favorite things. Hike in the woods. Get lost in the world of your favorite video game series. Grind it out on the court or field. Stay up late with your friends and laugh until you cry. Whatever they are, do the things that make you feel alive. They will be the things that shape you as an artist.
12 Things to Consider Doing During Your Time in High School If You Love Art:
1. Take as many art classes as your schedule allows. Soak up the information. Learn from your teachers and classmates.
2. On that note, take one or more independent studies so you can further explore areas that interest you, and gain more experiences.
3. Keep a sketchbook. Ideally, keep it with you in your backpack or purse with a little case of "to-go" supplies so you can get something down in a moment's notice. Sketch, annotate, observe as often as you can. These don't have to be finalized works, but, rather, show your thought process and practice.
4. Keep all your artwork. Keep it safe in a portfolio or in a big folder. Don't wrinkle or fold it. If you have pieces that you are giving as gifts, take good quality pictures of them.
5. Collect things that intrigue you and inspire you. They can be physical things like a ticket stub, a vintage postcard, a feather you found on a walk. Take pictures whenever you can (I like to have a dedicated folder in my cameral roll and Google Drive for this).
6. Get involved. Talk to other students that share your passions. Participate in art-related extracurricular projects. Put work in art contests. Apply to the National Art Honor Society.
7. If finances allow, visit local museums and galleries. If you are able, think about taking an art class outside of school. See your teachers for more information (we get flyers about these things all the time!) or visit the "Resources" page on this site.
8. Talk to your guidance counselor often. They can offer you invaluable information about opportunities like scholarships and college experience classes, as well as help you get going in the direction that is the best fit for you. Go to College Night. Pay attention during Career Day- take notes and ask questions of presenters.
9. Attend a Portfolio Review Day. Here, you can show your work to college professors and other adults in the field and get their perspective. Don't worry, they aren't there to judge you and your work doesn't have to perfect or completely finalized (bring your sketches and sketchbooks, too, to show process work). A review of your work can give you another perspective and get you to think about what to explore more.
10. Make an art-dedicated social media profile (and/or website). Instagram is probably the most popular platform.
11. Search out new things. Look at art tutorials online (you totally have my permission to go down the YouTube/Pinterest rabbit hole!). Follow artists and art accounts on Twitter and Instagram. Try things out. Play around, do something new, have fun!
12. Be true to yourself, be kind to yourself. Artists share their unique experience with the world. There's nothing wrong with pushing yourself, but don't try to change yourself to fit in. Do your thing. Cosplay at a convention. Make up songs about your pets. Watch and read your favorite things. Hike in the woods. Get lost in the world of your favorite video game series. Grind it out on the court or field. Stay up late with your friends and laugh until you cry. Whatever they are, do the things that make you feel alive. They will be the things that shape you as an artist.
What Are My Options For Pursuing Art After High School?
Life is not linear. There isn't a point at which you magically arrive and then you just get to coast for the rest of your life. Your experiences can shape you as much as your aspirations. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, and I am not here to tell you what you "should" or "should not" be pursuing, but I am going to give you a very generalized list of possible options if you think you might want to continue with art after high school. Keep in mind that this is a very broad list, and is by no means exhaustive. It is just meant to give you an idea of what some possible options might look like.
Four year art college
At this type of school, you would be taking primarily art courses, with less of an emphasis on general education (like english and math). Much of your course work would be hands-on, and you would be spending hours in the studio in and out of class. You would regularly participate in in-depth critiques, and be engaged with past and current movements and trends in the art world. You would most likely be expected to have a specific media concentration, and would be showing your work. This is the most immersive of the options listed; you would be surrounded by classmates who are passionate about art, and professors that have worked in the field. Schools like this push your limits in terms of work load and challenge you as an artist. They often have state-of-the-art facilities, and a long list of connections, making employability more attainable after graduation. A major consideration is cost and rigor of acceptance. Art schools are often quite expensive (up to $40,000 per year, on top of the art supplies you will need to purchase for each class) and can be quite competitive to get into. There are scholarships, grants and loans available, though. If you really express interest in a school and would be a good candidate, they want you to enroll, so they can work with you to perfect your portfolio to get accepted, and make tuition more attainable for you. You would most likely receive a BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) degree at a school like this.
Four year liberal arts college with a degree in art
At this type of school, you would be taking a more balanced load of art courses and general education requirements. You would most likely focus more on the arts the further along you got into your education. You may or may not be required to choose an area of concentration, and would most likely have an art-related culminating project (such as an exhibition). You would be surrounded by a wide variety of classmates pursuing different majors, but may get to know students in your program or cohort better from being in many classes with them. The networking opportunities could vary widely from school to school, and the art facilities could be more modern or dated, depending on the program. Tuition can vary widely, too. An out-of-state private college might be $30,000 a year, but an in-state public college may be $10,000 a year. Membership acceptance can be challenging, but may be more attainable and schools are often looking for well-rounded applicants. Scholarships, grants and loans would be available. You would most likely receive a BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) or BA (Bachelor of Arts) degree at a school like this.
Two year liberal arts college with a degree in art
This type of school is often called "community college." These smaller schools are often a very accessible and affordable option. You would be taking general education classes, as well as classes in your intended major. Community colleges often offer a few broad options for programs and majors instead of being more specialized. Facilities may not be quite as state-of-the-art as bigger schools, but they would likely be more dedicated and stocked than you would find at the average high school. One in thing to note is that professors at these schools often are adjunct professors at other colleges or universities, meaning that they teach at larger schools in the area. Therefore, you have the benefit of their instruction and expertise without the same price tag. At this type of school, you would be surrounded with a variety of different people, from students your age to adults that are working but also going back to school. You will most likely not get to meet as many new people since all students at these schools are commuters, and keep varying schedules. You may have to do a little more legwork on your own in terms of pursuing networking and employment opportunities. Tuition is typically around $5,000 per year at a school like this, and they have fairly high rates of acceptance. You would most likely receive an Associate's Degree at a school like this.
Minor in art
Many colleges and universities allow students to select a minor in addition to their major. Depending on the school, five to six additional classes in a specific area would be taken to achieve a minor. There is not usually an additional cost associated with having a minor, but it may take you longer to graduate and, therefore, you may have to pay more in tuition costs. The benefit to minoring in art would be more personal (although it could make you more well-rounded when applying to jobs).
Pursuing a career in art without a college degree
This option is the least expensive, but the one that requires the most self-drive and dedication.
This article by Noah Bradley explains the position of the cost benefit ratio of art schools, and why he actually discourages students from attending these types of schools. He also outlines a detailed list of resources for obtaining what he calls "The Ultimate $10,000 Art Education."
Obviously, take this along with a heavy dosage of your own research and consideration into your personal goals, pursuits, and a realistic assessment of your strengths and weaknesses. Your mileage may vary in terms of your experience and success.
A internship/apprenticeship
These types of experiences are not a traditional school, but involve a prospective artist the chance to work under an experienced professional. They often involve hands-on trades or crafts in facilities that can not be easily learned in other ways (such as glassblowing or metalworking). Sometimes, after learning the trade, the apprentice may be offered a paid position, or they may go out on their own and pursue the craft. The benefit to these types of experiences if that you can get work experience and a relatively fast-track to learning a trade. The drawback is that apprenticeships are often hard to come by unless you have connections to a professional in the business.
Keeping up with art as a hobby/side income
There's nothing wrong with loving art, but not making it your "9 to 5" job. You can take classes on your own in the community, keep up with working at your own pace, and do whatever you want to pursue without the pressures that come from structure. You can also sell your work as a side income through the internet or at craft and artisan fairs.
Being creative in a manner that is not directly art-related
You can still be creative in your job and everyday life, whether its a few times a year or every day. Making a scrapbook for a friend, doing hand-lettering for signage at your workplace, painting a mural in a young relative's bedroom, designing a dog house, making a craft for someone you care about...there are more ways to stay artistic than you may realize. Creativity is a gift that never leaves you; you can nurture it, but you don't have to try to hold onto it, because it is an intrinsic part of who you are.
Four year art college
At this type of school, you would be taking primarily art courses, with less of an emphasis on general education (like english and math). Much of your course work would be hands-on, and you would be spending hours in the studio in and out of class. You would regularly participate in in-depth critiques, and be engaged with past and current movements and trends in the art world. You would most likely be expected to have a specific media concentration, and would be showing your work. This is the most immersive of the options listed; you would be surrounded by classmates who are passionate about art, and professors that have worked in the field. Schools like this push your limits in terms of work load and challenge you as an artist. They often have state-of-the-art facilities, and a long list of connections, making employability more attainable after graduation. A major consideration is cost and rigor of acceptance. Art schools are often quite expensive (up to $40,000 per year, on top of the art supplies you will need to purchase for each class) and can be quite competitive to get into. There are scholarships, grants and loans available, though. If you really express interest in a school and would be a good candidate, they want you to enroll, so they can work with you to perfect your portfolio to get accepted, and make tuition more attainable for you. You would most likely receive a BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) degree at a school like this.
Four year liberal arts college with a degree in art
At this type of school, you would be taking a more balanced load of art courses and general education requirements. You would most likely focus more on the arts the further along you got into your education. You may or may not be required to choose an area of concentration, and would most likely have an art-related culminating project (such as an exhibition). You would be surrounded by a wide variety of classmates pursuing different majors, but may get to know students in your program or cohort better from being in many classes with them. The networking opportunities could vary widely from school to school, and the art facilities could be more modern or dated, depending on the program. Tuition can vary widely, too. An out-of-state private college might be $30,000 a year, but an in-state public college may be $10,000 a year. Membership acceptance can be challenging, but may be more attainable and schools are often looking for well-rounded applicants. Scholarships, grants and loans would be available. You would most likely receive a BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) or BA (Bachelor of Arts) degree at a school like this.
Two year liberal arts college with a degree in art
This type of school is often called "community college." These smaller schools are often a very accessible and affordable option. You would be taking general education classes, as well as classes in your intended major. Community colleges often offer a few broad options for programs and majors instead of being more specialized. Facilities may not be quite as state-of-the-art as bigger schools, but they would likely be more dedicated and stocked than you would find at the average high school. One in thing to note is that professors at these schools often are adjunct professors at other colleges or universities, meaning that they teach at larger schools in the area. Therefore, you have the benefit of their instruction and expertise without the same price tag. At this type of school, you would be surrounded with a variety of different people, from students your age to adults that are working but also going back to school. You will most likely not get to meet as many new people since all students at these schools are commuters, and keep varying schedules. You may have to do a little more legwork on your own in terms of pursuing networking and employment opportunities. Tuition is typically around $5,000 per year at a school like this, and they have fairly high rates of acceptance. You would most likely receive an Associate's Degree at a school like this.
Minor in art
Many colleges and universities allow students to select a minor in addition to their major. Depending on the school, five to six additional classes in a specific area would be taken to achieve a minor. There is not usually an additional cost associated with having a minor, but it may take you longer to graduate and, therefore, you may have to pay more in tuition costs. The benefit to minoring in art would be more personal (although it could make you more well-rounded when applying to jobs).
Pursuing a career in art without a college degree
This option is the least expensive, but the one that requires the most self-drive and dedication.
This article by Noah Bradley explains the position of the cost benefit ratio of art schools, and why he actually discourages students from attending these types of schools. He also outlines a detailed list of resources for obtaining what he calls "The Ultimate $10,000 Art Education."
Obviously, take this along with a heavy dosage of your own research and consideration into your personal goals, pursuits, and a realistic assessment of your strengths and weaknesses. Your mileage may vary in terms of your experience and success.
A internship/apprenticeship
These types of experiences are not a traditional school, but involve a prospective artist the chance to work under an experienced professional. They often involve hands-on trades or crafts in facilities that can not be easily learned in other ways (such as glassblowing or metalworking). Sometimes, after learning the trade, the apprentice may be offered a paid position, or they may go out on their own and pursue the craft. The benefit to these types of experiences if that you can get work experience and a relatively fast-track to learning a trade. The drawback is that apprenticeships are often hard to come by unless you have connections to a professional in the business.
Keeping up with art as a hobby/side income
There's nothing wrong with loving art, but not making it your "9 to 5" job. You can take classes on your own in the community, keep up with working at your own pace, and do whatever you want to pursue without the pressures that come from structure. You can also sell your work as a side income through the internet or at craft and artisan fairs.
Being creative in a manner that is not directly art-related
You can still be creative in your job and everyday life, whether its a few times a year or every day. Making a scrapbook for a friend, doing hand-lettering for signage at your workplace, painting a mural in a young relative's bedroom, designing a dog house, making a craft for someone you care about...there are more ways to stay artistic than you may realize. Creativity is a gift that never leaves you; you can nurture it, but you don't have to try to hold onto it, because it is an intrinsic part of who you are.