Thank you for your honesty in this post. I found the statistics fascinating. I have a son (who’s only 11) that wants to be an author-illustrator when he grows up. It’s a hard balance trying to encourage while also recognizing how difficult that path may be for him when he’s old enough. Luckily there’s still lots of time so I lean into the encouragement of his creativity. Thank you for your transparency in your writing. I always look forward to the insights in your posts.
So hopeful; so painful. It’s too easy to die from exposure on the internet. I’ve landed my dream job for the summer. But it’s one more avenue that doesn’t pay; just death by exposure with a smile. Secretly, I know it’s a summer fling, a romance that will end without commitment, and as soon as it’s over I’ll need to find something else. (Which I should be doing now, but….) Heartbreaking and a relief at the same time because I’m learning that I’m not good at EVERYTHING it takes to make it as an artist—which is a lot, and takes more energy than I have. That said, an illustration degree wasn’t a waste for me. I’m grateful for the skills I learned, the opportunities it’s given me, the people I’ve crossed paths with. Doors are open to me that were not open when I didn’t have a degree; not to mention how it’s helped me see myself. I don’t regret it at all—I just need to add to it—and maybe that’s the answer: encouraging pairing an art degree with __.
Thank you for posting this. I feel like a lot of people, especially today waste their money and time on getting an art degree- when ultimately that's the biggest mistake they can make. A degree in art doesn't guarantee a job, and given this current market it's going to be near impossible to get one. More artists should know this before they take the risk.
Hi Mady. An art degree might not be for everyone, that’s for sure. However, there are benefits. Draw backs too. Like everything in life. Dang it. Thanks for commenting!
I remember when I was in college I got to meet James Christensen in his home studio. I can’t remember my question to him, but he said, if there is anything at all in this world that sounds as interesting as art you should pursue that. Biology, finance, anything! It is a hard career that feels more like a calling. An itch you have to keep scratching.
This was a hard one to write. So much guilt and disappointment wrapped up in it all. But I think we need to be open because may people wrestle with this stuff. Thanks for reading and commenting!
It’s hard to talk about for many of the reasons I discussed in the article. Plus you never want to be the person who crushes peoples dreams. Thanks for reading!
Lots of professions (not just degreed disciplines) have similar supply-demand dynamics. With that said, I believe we must all be entrepreneurs of our own companies (ME, inc.) and create actual businesses with products and services. Contract work is one client. We need more than one client to be a business. I would suggest the key is the business skills and mindset in addition to the art or other creative skill set. Then, you can probably craft a true career for yourself and support yourself. When you allow others to give you a job, you’ll never be in the driver’s seat.
I think I might hint that they move to another country where the competition would still be a challenge but at least they'd probably have affordable healthcare.
Art is something that becomes part of one's identity above and beyond it's monetary value. This paradox is well articulated by Stuart Plattner's article "A Most Ingenious Paradox: The Market for Contemporary Fine Art" published in American Anthropologist. One can absolutely make a living as an artist but it's not a tried and true path by any means. Plattner traces how the idea of the artist as a means to financial success gained currency between the 1940s and the late 90s based on historical tipping points such as the notorious auctioning of the Scull collection. Knowledge is power which is aided by circumspection and optimistic skepticism.
Thank you for your honesty in this post. I found the statistics fascinating. I have a son (who’s only 11) that wants to be an author-illustrator when he grows up. It’s a hard balance trying to encourage while also recognizing how difficult that path may be for him when he’s old enough. Luckily there’s still lots of time so I lean into the encouragement of his creativity. Thank you for your transparency in your writing. I always look forward to the insights in your posts.
Thanks Katie for your comment. Sounds like your son has an advantage many don’t, a parent who understands and can help guide. That is gold!
So hopeful; so painful. It’s too easy to die from exposure on the internet. I’ve landed my dream job for the summer. But it’s one more avenue that doesn’t pay; just death by exposure with a smile. Secretly, I know it’s a summer fling, a romance that will end without commitment, and as soon as it’s over I’ll need to find something else. (Which I should be doing now, but….) Heartbreaking and a relief at the same time because I’m learning that I’m not good at EVERYTHING it takes to make it as an artist—which is a lot, and takes more energy than I have. That said, an illustration degree wasn’t a waste for me. I’m grateful for the skills I learned, the opportunities it’s given me, the people I’ve crossed paths with. Doors are open to me that were not open when I didn’t have a degree; not to mention how it’s helped me see myself. I don’t regret it at all—I just need to add to it—and maybe that’s the answer: encouraging pairing an art degree with __.
Hi Alison. Yes, congrats on the residency. Pretty neat. We creatives have to wear lots of hats and worry how they fit and look!
Thank you for posting this. I feel like a lot of people, especially today waste their money and time on getting an art degree- when ultimately that's the biggest mistake they can make. A degree in art doesn't guarantee a job, and given this current market it's going to be near impossible to get one. More artists should know this before they take the risk.
Hi Mady. An art degree might not be for everyone, that’s for sure. However, there are benefits. Draw backs too. Like everything in life. Dang it. Thanks for commenting!
I remember when I was in college I got to meet James Christensen in his home studio. I can’t remember my question to him, but he said, if there is anything at all in this world that sounds as interesting as art you should pursue that. Biology, finance, anything! It is a hard career that feels more like a calling. An itch you have to keep scratching.
Not sure why, but this really moved me to tears. Thank you for sharing so sincerely.
This was a hard one to write. So much guilt and disappointment wrapped up in it all. But I think we need to be open because may people wrestle with this stuff. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Refreshingly honest. I wish there was more of this frank discussion.
It’s hard to talk about for many of the reasons I discussed in the article. Plus you never want to be the person who crushes peoples dreams. Thanks for reading!
Appreciate your honesty. Painful to hear. But it’s important to accept reality
Thanks. It is a hard topic for sure.
Lots of professions (not just degreed disciplines) have similar supply-demand dynamics. With that said, I believe we must all be entrepreneurs of our own companies (ME, inc.) and create actual businesses with products and services. Contract work is one client. We need more than one client to be a business. I would suggest the key is the business skills and mindset in addition to the art or other creative skill set. Then, you can probably craft a true career for yourself and support yourself. When you allow others to give you a job, you’ll never be in the driver’s seat.
I think I might hint that they move to another country where the competition would still be a challenge but at least they'd probably have affordable healthcare.
Very honest article!! Hard to discourage people from following their dreams, but it is certainly not always the easy path
Art is something that becomes part of one's identity above and beyond it's monetary value. This paradox is well articulated by Stuart Plattner's article "A Most Ingenious Paradox: The Market for Contemporary Fine Art" published in American Anthropologist. One can absolutely make a living as an artist but it's not a tried and true path by any means. Plattner traces how the idea of the artist as a means to financial success gained currency between the 1940s and the late 90s based on historical tipping points such as the notorious auctioning of the Scull collection. Knowledge is power which is aided by circumspection and optimistic skepticism.
Thanks for sharing the essay. I will have to investigate. Cheers!