Survey Says, Arts degree?????

The Career of an Artist

            Is obtaining a degree in the arts the best move? Growing up with a passion for the arts can be tricky. Most people, who love this industry, will spend years in a studio. Once grown, some decide to move to a local arts town, New York, Los Angeles, and try their luck at auditioning, while others will decided to continue on an educational path. Many will go to college and end with an arts degree. Is one move smarter than the other?

             Arts Beat, the New York Times blog, shows the results of a national survey.  The Strategic National Arts Alumni Project is the survey performed by Indiana University. It shows relevant data of

 graduate artist with degrees. The conclusions were not shocking with the economy at the present moment. According to the 2010 online survey,

92 percent of alumni who want to work are doing so (the unemployment rate for April in the United States was 9 percent), while two-thirds said their first job was a close match for the kind of work they desired. Fifty-seven percent are working as professional artists, but don’t be surprised if your bedroom doubles as your office. More than 6 in 10 were self-employed since graduation. Working or not, 9 out of 10 reported they were pleased with their art training, and three out of four would attend the same institution again (Cohen 2).

This survey was not the biggest random sample but it included all artists of all different ages. It can show many things. First of all the economy right now plays a big role in all job types for those right out of college. Weather the degree was in business, political science, or the arts job markets right now are only employing those with experience.  And 22-25 year olds right out of college have the skills but not the current experience that professionals are looking for.

It also shows that a job in the arts can be limited. Most artists know this.  It takes a lot to inspire others with creativity that comes from the inside. It can be done. Many choose the field of entertainment. Opening up doors for a job with securities and income. Along side the choices it is a possibility for education to continue with an arts degree, merging an artist into the business world. This can open up many doors to, as long as people are willing to keep an open mind.

With personal experience I have found it is possible to have a job in the arts. Is it a dream job, not at the present moment. With time, hard work and imagination any job can become a dream job. The survey shows facts but not what inspiration and hard work can do. An education is always a step ahead in the long run. With an education even if a person starts with an office as his or her bedroom, they can end up as the next Bill Gates.