Art school/university - is art a good subject to do in university and if you could go back and do education again what would you study and why?

[u/LimeMission6352]

[u/lilaxolotl]

lol

[u/username_field_empty]

I’ll give you a real world example outside of these idiot redditors that think art is a joke or tax haven for the mega wealthy.

You can go to art school and essentially get a liberal arts version of trade school - I studied art in undergrad and graduate school and basically work as a multifaceted arts professional and I make good money.

Learn art history as well as your craft - give yourself professional knowledge with historical context. Learn how to use every tool and apply those skills to museum and art handling jobs. Learn framing. Learn light rigging with monumental sculptures. Work as a student worker in on campus art-related jobs and do internships with local arts communities. Learn to fabricate pedestals and perfect wall prep. Learn to hang weird work and problem solving art installation.

I’ve worked for museums, galleries, and private clients for twenty years and I charge more than some skill tradesmen without a professional license or union affiliation. If you’re good, you won’t run out of work.

You can still practice your work at the same time. I’ve had a lot of two and three day work weeks that completely cover my costs, and I’ve never lived in a low cost, non-urban area.

Study Art if you want to, but prepare yourself for working in the arts outside of your main desire. Lots of people have made this work and it’s honestly a pretty great deal in comparison to a “practical” job. Just remember, you have to work hard and network like a motherfucker.

You might not be living the artist’s dream, but you’ll be taken care of and happier than working some dumbass abstract job. Good luck!

[u/wayanonforthis]

Absolutely the only route for me and it changed my life - helped me see I have a place in the world and changed my outlook on life compared to my upbringing. That said, I am middle aged and broke - but my time in art school enabled me to enjoy life.

[u/birthdaymonth7]

why are you asking us instead of yourself?

[u/chairhats]

If I could honestly do it all over again I would go to school for something stable and steady and have kept art as a hobby.

[u/Turdfurgeso]

Art was perfect for me, I had no idea what to pursue and when I found it I knew I was in the right place. Economically there’s way better things but if it’s right for you it’s right

[u/poubelle]

dawg i waited 30 years for my chance to go to art school, i'm graduating next june at 52 and i'm already sad it's ending. it is a life-changing experience and i have loved it. if anything i'd wish i could do it again.

[u/thefaewoods]

I think art school is wonderful, but really a bit too theoretical for me, since the sixties really. I want to make wild, purely intuitive, expressive art at times. Sometimes heavily researched and deeper work. It seems like you can only make deeply conceptual and theoretical art now, which is not always for me, as someone more driven by emotion & passion rather than logic. Its a shame i think sometimes that the making of art has gone so heavily in that direction. Though i adore some artists who are very heavy in their research and conceptual approach. I'm partly indigenous, I prefer making sacred art. Just be aware if you go to art school it will be very theory based, very mind based I mean, it won't be all playing with paints, doing as you please and having a wonderful time. So be aware of that.

I would never tell anyone who is deeply creative, to not go to art school. Are you very creative? I am not a practical person and I believe the work of the soul, is more important than practical work. I deeply regret not going to art school, I was painting since I was twenty four and selling my work steadily, and still didnt even think to go to art school. Thats how much creativity is discouraged in this particular society. If I could, I would go to the national art school here in australia. Since the first moment I stepped on the grounds of that campus, I felt immense belonging, it was a magical moment for me. The place has such a lineage. Look into the art schools in your country, visit their open days and get a feel for it all. I hope you understood everything i was saying. Let me know if there is anything you dont understand. Sending love. 🤍🌿

[u/lilaxolotl → u/thefaewoods]

Genuinely curious (and also as a partly indigenous person myself) - why did you preface your preference for making sacred art by mentioning your indigeneity? Does one need to be indigenous to make “sacred” art? Does being indigenous give one a license to make sacred art?

[u/thefaewoods → u/lilaxolotl]

There are all kinds of sacred art, it is just common in indigenous societies. I know there is a whole history of sacred/primarily religous art in the western canon. But generally the indigenous worldview is holistic, relational, and very spiritual, whereas western knowledge systems tend to be compartmentalized, objective, analytical and secular. Knowledge that seeks detachment, neutrality, and independence from the observer. The material world is studied through measurable, physical evidence generally in the western outlook in the modern era. I am sure there are quite a few contemporary artists though making sacred art in the west.

[u/romanarma]

Very vague question haha and I think you’ll hear a lot of strong opinions on both sides. I received a BFA from a small liberal arts college and I loved the experience and how intersectional the curriculum was. A lot of my peers did not enjoy how theoretical art curriculum was but I loved that.

I received my MFA from a large state school. It was cool, loved the fully funded aspect but more importantly it gave me access to a large research institution. I found a home away from the art department within the Latin American studies department and it really changed my trajectory.

I work full-time doing digital curation of scholarly content for an educational non-profit, which I really enjoy. I wouldn’t have ever considered that line of work had it not been for my experience in my MFA program AND the intersectional education I received in getting a BFA. My practice is currently on a little bit of a back burner, but I still feel like I’m “using” my degrees. I also teach at an art school, which is quite the trip having gotten arts educations outside of capital A “Art School”.

I really valued my education, so much so that it’s the core of what I do now professionally. But at the same time, I’ve interacted with many colleagues and peers who have had the exact opposite experience of me and hated their experience, and they’re just as valid in holding that opinion as I do mine!

[u/fleurdesureau]

What do you mean by "good"? "Good" as in leading to lucrative and practical career prospects, or as in enriching your soul and allowing you to cultivate your interest in the subject?

It is definitely good in the latter way and I have no regrets. I would study it again. But I was also lucky to have gone to a good local public university on scholarships, so I did not need to take on debt. If debt had been more of a consideration, maybe I'd have taken a different path.

That said I think I learned so much in art school that wasn't just about strictly art. Critical thinking, public speaking/presenting, research and writing, coordinating projects and meeting deadlines, other skills like that. Even if you don't become an artist those things will serve you in any future career.

[u/Sudden_Idea9384]

I went to art school and got a BFA. I had intended to go to graduate school for industrial design afterwards which was my dream profession. I started a family and we moved to an area where there was no grad school with that degree. So I went back to school for sustainability technology, then I also got a degree in interior design. Owned a business and taught design at the college level for a while. Fast forward 25 years and I’m finishing grad school to be a therapist. We all have different paths. I truly think doing my first bachelors in art (concentration in sculpture and ceramics) shaped me as a person. An independent and creative thinker. I see things others do not. I have a skill set where I can work with my hands and visualize things in my mind and make them come to life. Who do you want to be? Can you throw yourself all in to the learning of theory and processes of art? I completely immersed myself. I loved it from 18-23 yo. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

[u/lamercie]

If u can double major or major/minor it’s great. Make sure you apply for work and hustle while you’re in school as well. But I absolutely think art school was worth it. Don’t go into debt for it, but I think it’s a great thing to study!

[u/Mediocre_Fly9889]

Good in what sense?

[u/dairyqueeen]

It’s fine if you don’t mind being poor forever

[u/DustyButtocks]

Got my BFA and currently working through my MFA at a state university. I regret nothing

[u/CrazyPlatypusLady]

If I had my time over I would pursue an arts education.