2 answers
Reid
Student
Pearl City, Hawaii
1
Question
Asked
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Is there such thing as a stable art career?
My most emotionally invested passions include different artistic forms, such as theatre, acting, and visual arts. I'm contemplating pursuing one of these fields as a career, but have been warned that going to college and studying any of these for a major is financial suicide. There's never any guarantee that you'll be able to get a job in that field, at least, that's what I've been taught. Is that really the case? Is it worth studying in college? #art #fine-art #acting #theatre
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2 answers
Ellen Rosenthal
Retired Art Teacher
239
Answers
Woodbridge, Virginia
Updated
Ellen’s Answer
Hi Reid:
Good question, and the short answer is, yes there are jobs, and no it does not have to be financial suicide. I can only answer for visual art, and yes, there are art careers that will give you a steady paycheck and benefits, like paid vacation and sick days and health care. Art careers generally do not pay as much as other professions, (forget about driving that Mercedes-Benz), but you have the added benefit of following your passion for art. Though art jobs can be competitive in terms of getting hired, and the starting pay is often low, if you are committed and stick with it, you can find financial stability. If you go for a career in art, make sure you take advantage of any art internships available as a student, keep an open mind, and be prepared to work hard.
I am a retired art teacher, and I loved my job. I had a steady income, had tenure from my school system, and I had the summers off to take art classes and workshops along with the free time to pursue my own art. I was immersed in art everyday on the job, and I loved working with kids. I earned a decent living, and it worked for me! Financial suicide? I don't think so.
There are other careers in art that are also stable, graphic designers do quite well. My sister in law has worked for
a public utility company for the past 20 years or so as a graphic designer, and she has done quite well, and she
loves her job. She started out at an entry position and worked her way up to being an art director.
There are even more other art careers and art related careers out there that will give you a decent living. It is not all starving in an art studio by yourself. Please talk to your art teachers about potential careers in art, or visit a career center at your school or pubic library. If you don't have a career center, talk to your guidance counselors or local librarian for ideas and websites to check out.
Best wishes!
Good question, and the short answer is, yes there are jobs, and no it does not have to be financial suicide. I can only answer for visual art, and yes, there are art careers that will give you a steady paycheck and benefits, like paid vacation and sick days and health care. Art careers generally do not pay as much as other professions, (forget about driving that Mercedes-Benz), but you have the added benefit of following your passion for art. Though art jobs can be competitive in terms of getting hired, and the starting pay is often low, if you are committed and stick with it, you can find financial stability. If you go for a career in art, make sure you take advantage of any art internships available as a student, keep an open mind, and be prepared to work hard.
I am a retired art teacher, and I loved my job. I had a steady income, had tenure from my school system, and I had the summers off to take art classes and workshops along with the free time to pursue my own art. I was immersed in art everyday on the job, and I loved working with kids. I earned a decent living, and it worked for me! Financial suicide? I don't think so.
There are other careers in art that are also stable, graphic designers do quite well. My sister in law has worked for
a public utility company for the past 20 years or so as a graphic designer, and she has done quite well, and she
loves her job. She started out at an entry position and worked her way up to being an art director.
There are even more other art careers and art related careers out there that will give you a decent living. It is not all starving in an art studio by yourself. Please talk to your art teachers about potential careers in art, or visit a career center at your school or pubic library. If you don't have a career center, talk to your guidance counselors or local librarian for ideas and websites to check out.
Best wishes!
Kristina Gonzales
Graphic and Web Designer
14
Answers
Updated
Kristina’s Answer
A degree in the businesses or sciences has a higher degree of payout job wise and monetarily over time. However, it doesn't mean it will make you happy. I had a teacher who originally was a high paid lawyer who quit it all to become an AVID teacher. After years of school, exams, sleepless nights she ultimately went to teaching the youth because it was what made her life happy. Yes, an art degree can be more challenging but it's more the person and your connections than the actual degree. If you challenge yourself to grind away and also build reputable contacts then you won't worry about being an artist. Be proud that you'll be a thriving artist whether in web design, standard artist, concept production illustrator, etc. Build connections with internships, competitions, gallery openings, etc. Be proactive in your future and you'll be fine. I initially had the same fears but not my portfolio is diverse.