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What majors should I take as an artist?
I'm not really sure what I should take in college.
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Sharon’s Answer
There are art programs! As long as they include digital art, graphic design, etc, they will be helpful in preparing you. As a minor, perhaps you can focus on other areas you like as you can apply art and design to those kind of professions too.
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Brian’s Answer
Hi, Lily. Though I am not an artist, I have artists in the family and have friends who are artists. It can be a tough profession, at least from a financial perspective. But I am convinced if you want to make art for a living and are committed, you can make a living doing it, though you will likely struggle financially for a time (but who doesn't?). I know an artist who majored in chemistry. I know an artist who majored in psychology. If you are a naturally gifted artist, a major in something other than fine arts might help you to see the world in a different way and be of benefit to you as an artist. Having said that, I recommend, in general, if you want to be a professional artist, I would pursue a bachelor's in fine arts (BFA). Ryan, who also answered this question, provided some excellent advice.
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Ryan’s Answer
I will first start by stating I am not an artist and do not know much about art at all, I am just here to provide my opinion to maybe help you make a decision. If you are very big into art and want to make a career out of it, DO NOT pay several thousands of dollars to go to college for it. Many people that I have met that have gone to college as art majors encourage others to go for something else or to just learn on their own without paying for it. There are many cheaper or free tools online to learn new techniques and methods. Going to college may teach you those techniques and skills you can find online but at the cost of debt. So my advice to you, if you really want to make a career around art, do it without creating debt for yourself. You could also pursue another interest in college and still take those art classes as electives. I hope this helps and as always, good luck!
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Lisa’s Answer
Hi Lily
Good question! The answer is—it depends—on the school and what area of the arts your interested in. BTW, Kudos for pursuing the Arts.
For example, if you are a musician and you want to go to a college conservatory for music, you don’t need to worry because the focus may be the same for everyone at the beginning of this intense level of training. These types of colleges will have all types of music options to choose from and they will guide you. This is true for similar schools focused on dance, fashion design, art, etc.
At other types of colleges and universities (regular schools), they may have similar types of degrees and majors that you can choose from, and then, they may have additional tracks or concentrations within that major.
For example, a university may have an Art and Drawing major , Art and Design, Art and Graphic Design or Art and Museum Science, etc. You can pick one of these and when you start the major and add a track or concentration, such as a track in Print Design, Computer Design, Museum and Art Studies, etc.
The good news is for most schools, freshmen do not have to pick a major right away, you can explore courses as you take your general classes. However, these schools still want to know what you might be interested in when you apply.
Other schools may want you to declare a major at the time of the application because they may require a portfolio or audition.
Still, most schools give you a chance to change your mind and major multiple times as long as you can graduate on time (4yrs).
So explore and do the research about what majors schools have to offer and pick the ones that have multiple options available to you.
I hope this helps!
Lisa
Good question! The answer is—it depends—on the school and what area of the arts your interested in. BTW, Kudos for pursuing the Arts.
For example, if you are a musician and you want to go to a college conservatory for music, you don’t need to worry because the focus may be the same for everyone at the beginning of this intense level of training. These types of colleges will have all types of music options to choose from and they will guide you. This is true for similar schools focused on dance, fashion design, art, etc.
At other types of colleges and universities (regular schools), they may have similar types of degrees and majors that you can choose from, and then, they may have additional tracks or concentrations within that major.
For example, a university may have an Art and Drawing major , Art and Design, Art and Graphic Design or Art and Museum Science, etc. You can pick one of these and when you start the major and add a track or concentration, such as a track in Print Design, Computer Design, Museum and Art Studies, etc.
The good news is for most schools, freshmen do not have to pick a major right away, you can explore courses as you take your general classes. However, these schools still want to know what you might be interested in when you apply.
Other schools may want you to declare a major at the time of the application because they may require a portfolio or audition.
Still, most schools give you a chance to change your mind and major multiple times as long as you can graduate on time (4yrs).
So explore and do the research about what majors schools have to offer and pick the ones that have multiple options available to you.
I hope this helps!
Lisa