"Art Major? C'mon, you can't be serious; what a joke degree, you're never going to make any money." All common things I have been told when trying to explain my major to someone. As an arts major, things will be different for you during college; here's just a quick list that could give you insight on what to expect. Also, for any other majors looking in, hopefully this will give you some info on why being an art major is not a joke.
1. You are going to have to explain how you plan on being successful.
You are going to have to explain what exactly you plan on doing career-wise an uncountable amount of times. From grandparents to parents to friends and even old teachers, the most common question I’ve been asked once stating that I am an art major is “How exactly are you going to make money?”
2. You’ll find out that you won’t be spending that much money on textbooks.
Yes, of course you’ll have to spend some money on art textbooks and other BACC class textbooks, but the majority of your money will be spent on supplies and equipment. I have had a conversation about the next camera that I will eventually need to purchase, and it costs around $6,500. Among other purchases that you’ll need to make will be paper, ink, tripods, film, and anything special you’re going to want to use.
3. People won’t believe that art classes are just as hard as regular classes.
Sure, a photography class won’t have as many tests as a math or science class, but what a photography class lacks in tests, it’ll make up for in projects. In a basic photo class, you’ll have four large projects and then a handful of smaller technical assignments. “Only four projects? That’s so easy!” Yes, only four assignments, but that means that our grade is determined by only four projects.
4. If you are a freshman, you’ll learn that the dorms are not a good place to work.
Now, with my focus in photography, it’s rather easy when you are mostly working on a computer. However, for any students that are painting, I couldn’t imagine how you would set up a larger easel and paint in a dorm.
5. You will learn to get over your fear of public speaking and criticism.
You are going to have to present your work, plain and simple. Depending on the class, you may present a lot or a little, and honestly, it isn’t that bad.That being said, because art is so subjective, everyone will have an opinion on your work and you are going to have to be able to take all criticism and accept others' views.
6. You’ll spend a lot of time waiting for a printer.
“Okay, the assignments due Monday, I should print it this week. What?! How are there 30 kids here at 8:30 on a Saturday night? OK, no worries, I can print it tomorrow night. Huh!? There are more kids here than last time? OK, I’ll just wake up early and do it on Monday.” Yes, this is an actual conversation I had with myself when trying to print my final project for last term. A piece of advice that I would give is to prepare to wait for hours for a printer if you are in a digital class.
7. Every photo teacher has seen the same campus photo thousands of times, be ready to be creative.
It’s plain and simple, if you want to impress a teacher, you really have to think outside the box.
8. In the moments of self doubt (which there will be plenty of) don’t give up.
These moments will happen, the “what am I doing?” moments will happen, a gallery could reject your work, someone could say it’s terrible, and you could even think it’s terrible, but you can’t give up. What may be terrible to someone could be the best photo, drawing, or painting in the world to someone else.
