Is it really all that important to go to art school? This is a question that has often plagued budding artists. Today, we shall be digging into this thought a bit further. Since the concept art school came about, it has always been a sort of divisive topic. There are those that believe that you can go without it. There are also those that believe that any serious artist should go and get formal artistic education.
For a budding artist, a common issue with the topic of art school is the cost and WHO is going to pay for it. Most of the time, these are artists that are still living with their parents. While parents generally want what’s best for their kids would normally not be able to see the point of going to a formal art institution.
You see, it is always been sort of a stigma attached to art that it is something that you are either born with or not at all. It is something that you need to have inside you and not taught. After all, they argue that the likes of Leonardo da Vinci did not have any form of formal training. He only knew basic things like reading or writing. Yet, to this day he is hailed as one of the artistic masters of the world.
In order to really get into the thick of the argument, we should establish what art school is.
Let’s talk about Art School
Typically, this is an educational institution or a place where formal education regarding visual arts, fine arts, or performance arts are given. Courses vary in duration. However, it usually is as long as tertiary education which can reach up to two or four years. So in a sense, it is actually a college education that is tailored to fit those who are aiming to pursue arts as their profession.
A common discussion regarding art school is about whether or not it is truly necessary. However, that question is best answered by the person who IS actually going to undergo the formal education. The problem about this is that budding artists are often surrounded by people who do not understand the need for formal art training. They argument is always art is organic.
However, much like the discussion about food, there is now more options whether or not art is something that can be grown organically or something that can be taught. While we do believe that those who have an interest in art should pursue formal training only if they wish to do so. Art training isn’t easy. It’s something that you need to work up every day knowing that that is where you want to be. Here are some things to consider about art school:
Materials are expensive
If you’re an artist that makes use of visual arts, then you will know this in your bones. It is not cheap to come across suitable mediums for your art. Painters need easels, paints, brushes, and a space to do their work. Sculptors need to bring in their material, their tools, and also a space to work.
We emphasize space because there is often not that much freedom at where you can do your thing. Even young artists that have a rented apartment are often subject to the preferences of their landlord. No matter how carefully you try to create a space where you can work, it is often difficult to do so. This is why one of the first things that established artists do is to build their work studio.
Art school often provides their students with access to equipment that they would normally not be able to hold. This is particularly helpful for those who wish to sculpt or for those who wish to undertake applied arts.
The knowledge you get here is worth its weight in gold
Just how some people wish they were taught how to do taxes in school, the information that you learn in art school is something that you do not pick in “real world”. What a lot of people may not realize is that art majors are taught how to conduct business as well. They are taught how to budget, how to price their art, and do accounting.
They are also taught how to effectively market their art. Connections are borne from knowing people. In art school, the same person you might be working next to can be the next big thing and can help you with your own.
Art school also provides their students with critical instruction from those that have been established in their own art fields. While learning from your own mistakes is good, learning from the mistakes that have gone on ahead of you is even better. You get to enjoy the lesson without having to go through the hardship.
Artists are made to grow past their comfort zone.
You can always trust media to put a negative connotation on artists. They’re “moody” or “too sensitive” or “stubborn”. However, if you take away the artist from the picture, the three descriptions above can be used on anyone.
Those that go to art school will tell you that if they ever held thought that they could just sit in a corner and create it would be gone in the first few weeks. Art school is a community. Budding artists are taught to talk about their work and take criticism. Art school isn’t for the faint of heart.
Unemployable…?
One constant concern that is held by family members and even the artists themselves is getting employed after going to art school. There are actually a lot of jobs in the art world—people just don’t realize it. Digital artists are one of the highly paid jobs in the world right now. A lot of businesses are starting to learn the value of graphic artists.
What’s great about technology today is that it’s not that hard to transition from being a painter to someone who’s working on a digital art. Like all things, it just needs a bit of instruction and practice