Why Study Art?

Student who intend to study art often get flack from well-meaning loved ones who believe that the student won’t be able to make a living if he/ she studies art. However, the ability to make a living as an artist has changed drastically, in part, due to advances in technology. Further, the study of art develops skills aside from the obvious, art-related ones. Here’s a look why the arts can actually lead to better careers.

 

Technology Has Opened Up New Jobs

The advancements in technology have created a new demand for artists trained in digital technologies. After all, it was well-trained artists who created the fantastical dragons on shows like “Game of Thrones” or the magic of “Harry Potter.” Studying art, including the new technologies that make that art possible, opens up new job opportunities that have never existed before.

In order to work in these industries, these digital-savvy artists usually study both traditional art techniques, like drawing and old painting. They also learn the principles of design and art marketing. Finally, they become well-versed in digital tools, like Adobe Photoshop, Maya, Lightwave and Adobe After Effects.

 

Develop Cultural Awareness

A design career offers a simple example of how culture and art studies converge. Many challenges in the workplace arise from a lack of cultural awareness. Studying art, art history and languages develops the cultural awareness necessary to work in the art and design fields.

 

Transferable Skills

The study of art doesn’t just develop the ability to draw or sculpt beautiful things. It develops other skills, like creative thinking, the ability to work independently and eye-hand coordination. Aside from this, university studies done by James Catterall, a professor and researcher at the UCLA School of Education and Information Studies demonstrate that students who have been exposed to the arts and who have been involved in the arts do better in school.

 

 

These days, studying the arts helps students develop many practical skills that bring value to the workplace. Additionally, art studies teach students about the cultures and eras from which a piece of art arose. Finally, technology has changed pretty much every aspect of the workplace, including animation, media, and other arts-related jobs. Having a foundation in the arts opens up job possibilities that heretofore didn’t exist.

Differences Between Amateur Artists and Professional Artists

There are several differences between amateurs and professionals, but the main differences are how long an artist spends on their art and how they look at the process of it. Practicing and continuously working on their art will help them improve and perfect it. If someone desires to achieve something bad enough, they should begin dedicating themselves to it.

 

Professional artists create patterns and routines that work for them, and they do not give up until it is accomplished. A professional artist will create a scheduled time frame to have their work completed. They are committed to improving and flourishing even if their work failed or was rejected. It is a learning experience for them.

 

Amateurs have a hard time becoming inspired and do not begin working until they feel inspired. They focus on their goals instead of trying to accomplish something within a given time frame. An amateur may also give up if they feel they did not accomplish their goals. In addition, they are more likely to care what others think and may come to a standstill after failing. Improving their work is less of a worry than completing the work is.

 

An example of a professional artist is when someone creates a steady schedule, habits, and has decided to become a professional. A professional drawing artist may choose Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm to focus only on their drawings. They may have a small studio space to go to get away from any distractions, but that is their space to devote themselves only to their drawings. It is like working a job; the time that they are away drawing in their own space should be treated like going to their job. Eventually, a professional artist’s time, habits, and dedication will reflect in their work and others will begin to notice.

 

If an artist wishes to become a professional in their work, they should stick to a strict schedule. If an individual knows they are an amateur but aspire to become a professional, they should start believing and seeing themselves as a professional. The mindset is powerful when it comes to becoming a professional. However, actions must match thinking. It should no longer be only about getting the work done; it should be about true dedication, commitment, and setting aside time to concentrate only on their skill. Artists should push themselves to become a professional when it comes to mastering their talent, and if it is something they wish to have as a career, they should not settle for being an amateur.