Starving Artist Essay

A. Attention getter: Why did the art student cross the road? Because she decided to pursue a more useful degree. I sincerely wish the cultural artifact I was here to present was a list of potential job prospects for graduating art students, but unfortunately, no such thing exists.

When I began College at Colorado State University Pueblo with the intention to become a teacher I took a wide variety of art classes. From painting to ceramics to photography. I fell in love over and over and over again, and consider myself a jack of all trades. However I was drawn intensely into the world of Digital Art. There I felt I was able produce sharp, clean images that could easily be reprinted and sold again. I quickly

Growing up I have always loved art, whether it be doodling, lettering, making graphics or taking photos. Since grade 4, I have taught myself the inner workings of Adobe Photoshop, how to make graphics and edit. Over the years, I have continuously honed myself to learn new things and expand my knowledge about the art I was so interested in. I pursued this passion despite not even having my own laptop, computer or a good DSLR camera at that time. Nonetheless, I took the opportunity to use the iMac’s we had in school to produce the best of what I can do, and enjoy my time using the “nice” mediums even just for a few hours. In grade 6, I decided to join the Digital Arts club in school because I just felt like it was where I belonged, and it was

Art programs in schools across the nation are in danger of being diminished due to budget cuts and lack of funding. Due to budget cuts, “... schools have been relying more on private funds and patrons of the arts to provide creative outlets for students” (Hambek). Because art is deemed as less important than other core classes, budget cuts that have been put into place almost automatically go straight to cutting funds for art

My interest in the arts stemmed long before my entrance into high school, however that does not mean it did not have an impact on that career choice. I feel that several of the classes at Monrovia High School have either introduced or prepared me in certain mediums of art. Starting freshman year I took two art related classes: Intro to Art and Intro to Computer Graphics. If I had any doubts about my career choice, they were quashed by my experience in these classes. I was definitely appreciative that there were art related classes available every year of my high school career. Coupled with art classes through Ryman Arts, I feel that my art skills have improved considerably. Currently I am taking AP Studio Art at the high school, and although the class is rigorous in that many art pieces need to be finished quickly, it definitely has given me an accurate view of several art careers that require many art pieces quickly. All in all, I believe that my high school has

To further elaborate, individuals in the social aspect are the helpers on the career field. Individuals with an artistic work interest are known as the creators on the career field. Furthermore, individuals in the investigative work interest are known as the inquisitive thinkers. Each of the three work interests contribute to determine the occupations that would best suit my passions. Much to my surprise, however, I discovered that I am most suitable to peruse a career as a college professor – more specifically with a concentration in art. I can understand how my work interests equated to an art professor – after all, an individual in pursuit of this occupation would need to work well with people, acquire artistic abilities, and provide proficient teaching methods in an investigative manner – nevertheless, I do not agree that I should peruse a career in this

Imagine world that is bland, along with its individuals all the selfsame. In result of the reprehension of creative courses in academia. That previously mentioned world would soon become an actuality. When budget cuts were accruing in my school district; I remembered my fine arts teachers were petrified that not only their department would cease to exist but they would no longer have an occupation. There is a constant reminder of how paramount the sciences and mathematics are; but the fine arts such as music, ceramics, art, and all the other courses that allow creative freedom are important as well.

“Fewer are taking on the sublime, unwinnable challenges of the arts… fewer are putting themselves on the line…” Shames refers to the fact that even when it comes to education, we lean toward the “safer choices” such as business, law and science. Though many do enjoy these fields, some choose them because they are the “chartered paths” that have many times been proven to make a lot of money and to have a great chance of finding jobs. He points out those bold enough to take on the “unwinnable challenges of the arts” because although these jobs are equally as important, these paths today are certainly less chartered and may not guarantee the cushion of a comfortable, stable life. Shames calls on us to put ourselves out there, break the boundaries and go for what we truly have a love for. By doing so, not only will we be happy, we will have achieved a different view of success, one

Greek philosopher Aristotle defines the arts ¨as the realization in external form of a true idea, and is traced back to that natural love of imitation which characterizes humans, and to the pleasure which we feel in recognizing likenesses.¨(IEP). The fine arts which have been a part of human history for 30,000 years have played an essential role in the development and advancement of our societies. As of today, the fine arts are facing the danger of vanishing in the education system of the United States Schools in places like Minnesota, Michigan and Philadelphia struggle to obtain arts programs within their schools. Districts like the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan district, have been struggling with raising student’s academic scores in courses

Often times, people are just aware of careers that are viewed as more popular or talked about such as therapist or doctors. I believe this causes us to limit ourselves to the kinds of professions we choose to pursue. This assessment provides insight into potential careers that an individual may really enjoy and want to seek in the future but may not be aware of their existence. Although I may not have changed my career path from taking this assessment, it was very useful to know that these kinds of careers are available. With this information, I plan and hope to educate people especially young children about other careers that are available that people do not often tell them about. I think it is important that people re cognizant of this information to divserse

My major is Information Systems. When I first found out that I had to take another 100-level class, as a senior about to graduate, I was beyond a little upset. I then found out it was an art history class and it made it even worse. How am I ever going to use being able to distinguish between two paintings in my career? It might come in handy as a party trick. But fast forward six weeks into the class and I think I finally understand the relationship. We are learning and practicing to spot details, patterns, symbols, and visually compare works of art. Working with data requires me to do the same. Training the brain to observe and interpret those patterns, as well as being able to describe those patterns, is very important in my intended

2. Aside from skill sets, what kind of information do you seek from 4 dedicated years of your life in an art major?

First, the primary view of most courses are theoretical rather than practical; students study English as a second language and Arabic as a third language six years while they cannot take advantage of them in their usual lives and use them to communicate with a native. Because the contents of them are mostly based on teaching a huge bunch of unnecessary grammar instead of the rudimentary structure of each language. In addition, courses are most mathematics-oriented rather than humanities. Many a student who has a knack in the art are putting down due to their weak function in mathematics and physics. Unfortunately, they are believed they are not smart enough to understand mathematics, and they sustain this wrong perception on their shoulders even after many years of their successful work as an artist. Hence, the priority of courses should be changed to a most even

For applicants looking to pursue a career in animation, one should consider the specific skill sets and education that is required. According to the United States Department of Labor, some of the education that one needs is, “a bachelor’s degree in fine art, computer graphics, animation, or a related field”(How to become one). Furthermore, as stated by the United Kingdom’s National Careers Service, some of the skills needed in this career are, “communication and presentation skills, drawing and modelling skills, and IT skills”(UK). According to Dr. Alan Cholodenko, “drawing is acknowledged as the ‘basis’ of not only all art but of animation”(Cholodenko). Some of the animation careers are heavily based on drawing, however, they also use and need technology skills as well. As reported by the BLS, “Many multimedia artists and animators use computer programs or write programming code

Art education has been proven to help with “cognitive ability, critical thinking, and verbal skills” as well as “motivation, concentration, confidence, and teamwork” (Smith). Having the ability and patience to sit down and paint a masterpiece or work through a song on the piano requires high focus and dedication. Students willing to do this will in turn have stronger skills to focus and be dedicated in other subjects. The mixture of all these abilities gained from participation in art programs lead to higher test scores and overall better performance in school. Still, these are only a few of the assets provided by art education.