A few days ago, I was scrolling through Facebook and came across NBC's list of the Top Five "Useless" Majors. Though I wish I could, I can not say that I'm surprised that ALL of the majors listed are within the realm of arts and design. But, unfortunately, performers, creators, designers, etc. hear this a lot. As a person who has been involved in the arts for the past eleven years, I think that this is the most untrue and stupid thing I have ever heard. Why is it that in a world where entertainment is an essential part of our daily lives, the people who make this entertainment possible for us all to enjoy, are so often being underestimated and called "useless"?
I'm going to delve into two of these majors and talk about how useful I think they are, but please know that I believe all five of them are equally useful and important.
One of the majors called out is Commercial Art and Graphic Design. The fact that this major is on the list is literally baffling to me. Graphic designers are essential to most companies, especially those in the entertainment world. I don't know who created the recognizable logos for companies such as Dunkin Donuts, FedEx, Shell, Starbucks, MTV, Google, McDonald's, Nike, etc. but I'm pretty sure it wasn't the company's CEO doodling during a meeting. Also- maybe it would be cool if I did know the names of the people who designed these logos that I immediately associate with a certain company. Just a thought. Graphic designers are also responsible for creating flyers and posters advocating for social justice and community service, a job that is clearly important. Organizations such as Above the Influence and World Wildlife Fund? Those graphics and logos we all recognize were created by a graphic designer.
Another major called useless is actually my own, Theatre Arts. If I didn't already feel like screaming "THEATRE IS IMPORTANT" at the top of my lungs to random passerby on a daily basis, then I sure do now. Theatre has changed my life, as well as the lives of countless people I know. And I wouldn't have had the opportunity to have my life changed by theatre if it weren't for people who studied it and were dedicated to teaching it to me. There are Broadway shows that have been running for 20+ years. People have to buy tickets and go see those shows in order for them to continue running. The fact that people have been consistently paying to attend performances of shows for this long says something for how many people out there appreciate the arts and are willing to support them. And, the people who work to make Broadway shows happen (performers, directors, lighting technicians, pit musicians, carpenters, costumers, and so many more) likely have some sort of arts degree. Granted, not all of them do, but enough do to make my point that Theatre/Arts majors are pretty important. And that's just Broadway! Lots of people with arts degrees don't go to New York, and still manage to get jobs that are needed and important (photographers, writers, film makers, producers, etc).
My point is, stating that these degrees are useless is an uneducated claim. With a degree in theatre, am I going to make as much money as a lawyer or a surgeon? Nope. But I'm going to teach kids about the arts, and maybe even change their lives. That doesn't sound useless to me.
