Sunday, December 31, 2017

Is Art School for Fools?

I've been reading lately, on various social media outlets where visual artists gather, a lot of posts by young/beginning artists who want to know if going to "art school" is worth the money. As a graduate of a fine arts program (I have a BFA in Studio Art) I find it to be a valid and wise question and I hope that by sharing my experience I can  help someone in their deliberations. Of course, all I can do ultimately is share my experiences and offer my opinions without any promise that it will benefit anyone who reads this. I strongly urge you to thoroughly research and analyze the cost/benefit of an art-related degree.

I didn't go to an art school like SCAD, RISD or Ringling. I studied at two excellent universities where I received an outstanding Liberal Arts education and an adequate Visual Arts education. I have often wondered, to the point of regret, if I would have been even more successful as a graduate of a school like SCAD. Regret is a dangerous, ugly thing though so I work hard to keep it out of my life. The facts are that 1) I'll never know if I missed out on anything, and 2) I've enjoyed plenty of success working as an artist and teaching art with my qualifications. Even if my alma matters aren't strictly "art" schools, I still had access to excellent professors and the chance for the scholarly pursuit of the visual arts. I gained a powerful visual vocabulary, the ability to evaluate and understand my work and the work of other artists, the desire to pass on my knowledge through teaching and the ability to intelligently critique visual art for my betterment and the benefit of my fellow artists.

Scholarly pursuit is one of the most critical and lacking elements of the visual arts in current times. In reading posts and  analyzing patterns, it seems to me that there is a generation of visual artists coming up who underestimate the importance of scholarly pursuit and are content to copy work from their favorite games, movies, concept artists and call it their own. I believe strongly that an artist must grasp and master, through practice, the fundamental pillars of image-making as well as study and appreciate the art of the past to become a functioning artist. I say this as someone who has airbrushed t-shirts and drawn caricatures to pay the bills. I've never been ashamed to make a living for myself through commercial work, but I've always sought to dive deeper into the difference between commercial and fine art and look for the way in which I, as an artist, can inform and express myself to the world through visual art. I don't think I could do that without the scholarly pursuit, nor do I think I would have much of anything to say, visually, without my formal education. Of course, this statement applies to me alone, and reflects solely my values, experience and priorities. Yours certainly varies.

The greatest flaw, or perhaps missing piece, of my education is related to the business side of art. Make no mistake, if you want to make a living as an artist then you are in the business of being an artist. This is a lesson and skill I learned on my own AFTER graduation. The notion of being alone in your studio all the time and drawing, painting and sculpting all day is a FICTION. You must learn to budget, schedule, market and communicate, work, etc.,  as an artist at least as much, well far more really, than in any other vocation. A strong work ethic is vital to a professional artist because there is no "boss" around setting your schedule and goals. You're the "boss" and, if you're as right-brained as I am, then that is a scary thought to you. I think the romantic notion of the "starving artist" toiling away in his studio for his vision without regard to the realities of existince is an asinine trope, and a dangerous one. Every professional artist I've ever met likes to eat, have shelter and warmth, reliable transportation, provide for his/her children and to take vacations as much as any doctor, lawyer or factory worker I've ever met. "Artist" is a profession, a serious vocation and should be treated as such. The world needs many more creative people, more thinkers and innovators, and I think that the scholarly pursuit of the visual arts helps add more of these people to our society. This can only be a good thing for a nation that worships celebrity, technology, stuff and the "easy way" over intellect, scholarship, aesthetic and meaningful progress.

The world needs creative people and we visual artists fill that need. But we can only do this successfully if we are taking ourselves seriously as working professionals, understanding the academia of art and sharing our knowledge with our successors. It's long past time for we visual artists to reassert ourselves in our communities and be heard. It's long past time for us to demand more diehard art supply stores and to reject the craft warehouses that have proliferated. We need to open more galleries, help the visually illiterate gain a new appreciation of art and we must be advocates in our communities. All of this is easier when you have a credential.

Should you go to art school? I don't know. What I do know is that, if you're serious, passionate, skilled and driven by creative energy, then the world needs your contribution. I believe that your contribution will be enhanced by the scholarly pursuit of visual art, by having a deeper understanding of how to make art with skill and craftsmanship, and by having an appreciation of the vital role of visual art in human culture, and your vital role in your community. Average people fail to understand that nearly everything in their lives is influenced by visual art. The designs of cars, cell phones, buildings and tooth brush handles aren't just conjured out of the ether by engineers or CEO's. They are brought to life by visual artists. We create far more than drip paintings, t-shirts, murals and pet portraits. I encourage you to wield your creative power and proudly offer your services as an educated, professional creator.

Good luck, God speed and please, please learn how to run your business as well as you learn to make art. You are not likely to find creative fulfillment in being picked by your boss at Publix to make the next week's fruit sale signs because you're the best "drawer" on staff. Trust me on that.

Now go make some art!