Why Art Degrees ARE Important!
Are Art Degrees Important?
This article will discuss why art degrees are important. It’s true that high school, college and even university degrees do a great job of preparing us for working in an office.
But, they don’t offer much in the way of career guidance or internships.
Getting your art degree will enable you to practice your chosen discipline as a career. You will also get access to world-class art exhibitions.
More importantly, it’s an incredible outlet for developing your own unique skills, and especially so for those in the creative industry. You’ll be able to develop your personal style in a field that encourages you to follow your passions.
It’s also worth noting that art degree programs don’t cost as much as the alternative. Depending on which university you opt for, the average cost can range between US$10,000 and US$15,000.
This is an incredibly affordable option, especially when you consider that most art graduates make well above $50,000 a year.
What Is An Art Degree?
Art degrees are designed to train you to be artistic and appreciate art.
They can give you a well-rounded knowledge of the visual arts, or focus more on a particular area. Courses often cover art theory and theory, art history, or use other approaches that are not immediately obvious.
You may have to be flexible with your choice of subjects, but the courses often cover concepts that will be relevant to your future career. Some courses even involve an element of practical work, such as drawing, painting, and sculpture.
This part is especially important if you’re hoping to become a professional artist or work in the art world. It’s a great way to have hands-on experience, and it’s invaluable for creating portfolios and giving you a good idea of what works and what doesn’t.
The degree will also allow you to explore your creativity more fully and hone your skills. It can help you discover new areas, and expand your own artistic range. It can also equip you with the knowledge you’ll need to make your own art.
Is Your Art Degree Worth It?
The main question is whether a degree will make you more employable.
Is it important that you know the theory behind your chosen field? Or, will it do you more harm than good?
Art degrees are extremely popular. But there is a school of thought that points out that the best degree to take is one that has no clear career paths. In other words, it doesn’t focus too heavily on career expectations.
If your studies are primarily about personal growth and development, then that may be the best approach.
Sure, this will help with your understanding of art, and you’ll learn a great deal about yourself in the process. But, it won’t do much to make you a more employable person.
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take any art courses. They may be fun to take part in, and they can be a fantastic way to spend a summer.
But, do bear in mind that the job prospects for art graduates are not as good as they could be.
The idea that art degrees are a good idea isn’t fully grounded, and that’s likely to be the case with all degrees. Take this in mind, and don’t put too much emphasis on a subject that’s not really suitable for you.
What do you get from an art degree?
- You learn to understand the human body, what shapes work the best, and how to build characters and buildings.
- You get to practice different styles of painting and build your understanding of how the world is designed.
- You get to learn about story telling in the form of art.
- You learn to be more flexible and be able to create with whatever medium you need to in the moment.
- You also get to learn about anatomy and develop a better understanding of how it works and what shapes work the best on a body.
- You also get to develop your ability to create poses and situations.
- You develop a better understanding of color, value, and how to bring in other styles into your work.
- You learn how to use color to help tell a story or enhance a scene.
- You learn a lot of different art mediums to develop your own style and knowledge.
- You can see how the world is designed and develop your own skills to make something great with that knowledge.
How can I get an art degree?
There are many art schools and schools for fine arts and other forms of art. For now, let me just suggest a few places to look into.
1. The San Francisco Art Institute
The SF state school does not just offer classes in painting. It offers classes in mixed media, sculpture, architecture, and more. SF State also has strong programs in the arts and design.
San Francisco State is a 4 year school, and costs about $7,600 per year for tuition, books, and fees. To qualify for a scholarship check out their website to find out how you can get some help.
2. The New York State College for the Arts at Alfred
New York state colleges are fantastic for art education. Alfred has strong programs in all the areas you could need: painting, sculpture, theater, etc.
Most of their programs are either 2 or 3 years, but if you can get into the two year programs you will be fine.
Alfred is a very small school with classes from 5 to 60 students. They have great faculty and you will get the best education of any school in the state.
3. the University of Washington
The UW offers both visual art and theater programs. It is part of the arts school and teaches many other disciplines too.
The School of the Arts has two sub-schools; the School of Music and the School of Theater and Performance.
They have a beautiful campus and a nice view of the water from their downtown campus.
4. The Portland State University
Portland is one of the best art towns in the country.
If you are looking to develop a particular style of art, Portland is a great place to be. With the River Park Square Art Project, City Gallery, The Old Mill, and other galleries in the area, you will be able to develop your own personal style.
It costs about $11,000 for tuition and fees per year.
5. The Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago has a four year program that offers many different arts classes, including studio art, drawing, painting, and more. They have an excellent program, that has strong alumni to back it up. If you want to be an artist, this is the place to go.
Students go on to work in many different areas including the entertainment industry.
