"Somebody said us artists have trouble with success because art is derived from struggle. I disagree with that, because truly doing your art is success, whether you make money from it or not." -Joe Murray
Art is all I know. I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember. I was known as the artist in school. Everyone came to me when we had artistic projects or when they wanted a piece of art. They would see a something I made and comment on how great my abilities were and that I should go to art school, and of course I did. I wasn’t good at anything except for art. I’m horrible at math and science so the medical or engineering fields have always been out of the question. So, when it came time to apply to college I sent a portfolio in and got accepted into the art program. I don’t regret a moment of it. I love being in a community of fellow artists who are supportive and challenging. I love going to college and studying the thing I love. Thing is, the same people who once told me that I should go to art school are now the ones asking, “Well what are you going to do with an art degree?” Every art major, whether it’s the studio art kids, the theatre kids, the music kids, or the dance kids, are sick of you asking this question.
As an art major, I’m tired of being the butt end of every joke. If I had a penny for every time someone told me how poor I’m going to be with my degree I’d ironically be loaded. I, nor any other art student, is going to college and busting our ass just like the rest of you to be continuously told we’re never going to find a job. I’ll be damned. First of all, not only is it incredibly rude for people to say that to us, but also so hurtful for us. To have a passion that you absolutely love, that you’re going to college to study, then be laughed at for is so insulting. As an artist of any form, you must be confident in your work. The industry is cut throat; you must stand out among your peers and you must be confident in what you create. That’s not exactly easy with everyone repeatedly saying my degree is useless. It makes us become self-conscious about our major. We’re hesitant to say we’re an art major because we know what’s coming. As well, it’s discouraging. You start to doubt yourself. Am I really going to be broke? Am I a good enough artist? What it they’re right? Lord knows all art majors have wondered if they’re wasting their time by studying their major. When everyone sees your degree as a joke or an easy option or they think your studies just aren’t serious it seriously gets to you.
My degree is not useless, nor is any art degree. It’s not my fault you think so. We know what we want for our futures, we know what jobs are waiting for us at the end of the road. It’s not my problem that you aren’t aware of the opportunities we have. My degree is also not the easy option. If you think a degree in art is easy you’re incredibly mislead. We work just as hard as any other major, we just have to meet different criteria, and that criteria is different for every school of art. Music kids have to practice their instruments, learn new music constantly, maybe even write their own music. Theatre kids are learning new roles each play and doing hours upon hours of practice. Dance kids are learning new choreography and performing constantly. Personally, as a studio art major, I’ve sat on a wooden stool for three straight hours drawing the same still life for the whole time. We’ve spent countless hours outside of class working on our work, then suffered through critiques where your professor and peers tell you everything wrong with your piece. We learn to use multiple mediums whether we’re drawing with charcoal or throwing on the wheel or doing screen printing. I don’t know if you’ve ever tried to sit down and play an instrument or realistically draw what’s in front of you or recite a monologue or dance to choreography, but it’s very far from easy. As singer Lauryn Hill once said, “You don’t know how much artists go through to make it look easy. It’s all in the practice.” We work so hard at what we do. Not only that, but not just anyone can be an art major. You have to show potential, you have to have talent, you have to show dedication, and you have to have passion behind your work. All whilst you’re competing with your peers to try and stand out.
I’ll be damned if my major is easy. There are so many crazy talented kids in art school who are all working toward their dreams. Our degrees are serious too. The arts, though you may not realize it, are still important. Art is everywhere and in everything. In your movies, in your favorite TV shows, in your advertisements, in the music you listen to, even the clothes you’re wearing. So, anyone who wants to come up to me and drag my degree through the mud can shove it. I’m going to continue to get my silly little arts degree and I’m going to prove everyone wrong while doing it. Me and my fellow art majors are going to make something of ourselves with our degrees whether others think so or not. We aren’t in our trade for the money, we’re here because this is what we love. Money is secondary. We love to create and inspire and express ourselves. We love making the world more beautiful with our art. Our art is our true success.
