ArtBistro

Leloi says ...

I declared myself self-taught when I came here because I've never actually been to art school.  I've taken art throughout K-12 and took a semester of college art, but my bachelors is in music education.  Should I go back to an art school for a second degree or should I just continue taking workshops and showing at the local co-op art gallery?  Working at the co-op art gallery I've made connections and one of the artists owns a children's art studio.  I've been asked to teach 5-9 year olds at her studio.  At first I'll be teaching them doll making (which I do professionally as a home business) but I may be asked to teach intermediate art to 5-9 year olds in another semester.  I plan to put all this on my resume, but will the lack of formal art school hinder me in getting commissions or jobs?

We've had a few posts from new graduates bemoaning the fact that employers want to see experience.. you're getting experience, I'm thinking demonstratable skill combined with experience is better than huge college debt and a piece of paper :) But then again, I haven't gone job hunting, and I don't have that piece of paper either.

did the schooling & never finished. had to get out & earn. classes, at least, could help you learn tricks, methods of handling different media, etc. in art school, i had a few teachers who kept instilling: "an art director doesn't care about your diploma nearly as much as your portfolio." the working world doesn't care where you went, they want to know what you can do for them. don't stop learning. it doesn't have to be diploma oriented though.

if someone in the business sees merit, you're probably on the right track.

If your skills are already excellent, an art degree isn't going to help you get more commissions.  Especially if you are staying active in the arts community, your connections are going to be more valuable than any degree.

I think that what the formal art (education) degree might do for you is give you a better foundation as an art educator...it may elevate your pay scale, too, in the long run.  If you want to focus on being an art teacher, it might be a good idea to go to a school that offers a Masters  in Art Education to tack on to the music education degree you already have.  I think most of these programs are only a year long, and you get a lot of teaching experience along with it.

Ultimately, I think it really depends on what you want to do.

Yes.

The only place that appeared to care that I didn't have an art school background was at an art school I went to teach at.

simpson

Is art school necessary? Depends on where you want to work and what you want to do. Established agencies and design firms if you want a full time job/career - yes, get a degree to go with your experience and portfolio. Freelancer for those same agencies and design firms - portfolio and personality(do you look reliable or like a flake who will blow a deadline and make THEM look bad) counts for everything. Academia, of course wants to see a degree in appropriate field - pseudo academia, not so much, work and abilities will speak more for you. Since you seem to be working, I think you should evaluate the above and determine whether a degree is necessary for you personally. It doesn't sound like it to me. If it is, see if you can do it on a part-time basis so you can keep gaining experience and making your way in the world. :)

I find it interesting that when I show my portfolio, people ask who my painting (I'm a painter) instructor was!  Like you should reflect a certain style based on how you were taught!  My 'education' has been whoever was I willing to learn from/thought could teach me something valuable, (colleges or individuals or seminars).  Unfortunately, the degree/instructor seems to 'matter' about half the time.  I think you can go either way.  Get the degree to open ALL the doors, don't get the degree and stick to the doors that will open.

I've seen one make it to the bigtime in the inlay business. He has a degree in marine biology, rather than an art degree.  He was a musician in his spare time, found his niche and turns out amazing fish inlay on guitars.  Then again, he worked as a science teacher for 10 years while he slowly built up his own business in his spare time.

When I graduated with my AS in fashion design, it was networking with a fellow class mate that helped me land my first big job. If you are looking to apply to work for a company, they do evaluate your credentials. I don't believe I would have been called to the interview without the degree. I feel as though there is block to my advancement (with the big companies) without a bachelors degree. Still, when I determined to go back to school for a year I chose to go to a vocational school.

So, it all depends on where you want to take your career. Myself, I want to be taken seriously. Taking classes has never been anything but an advantage from my viewpoint. Especially once you get your foot in the door and you want to be considered for promotion.

So much depends on the person and the art school or creative environment.

I do not think art school is necessarily part of becoming a successful (this refers to skills and satisfaction) artist. I think the quality of effort, the dedication to self-dialogue and seeking input from a broad range of artists is the key - what existed in art communities before an art school 'degree' was a priori. You learn so much from always seeking dialogue - like the forums on this site as example.

Being an MFA - I can also say that the degree is now required for many teaching and other "professional" enterprises. Art school CAN be a great and enriching experience - just seek a place where the community and the faculty 'feel' correct - where you are moved by the work you see coming from a department - and where the schools mission and approach suit your personal goals.

  Speaking as someone who has been hired by companies and has done hiring for his own company the answer is- maybe. 

  If you plan on a corporate career- and by that I mean working for a group like Disney or a major magazine publisher then art school maters. As years go by you will want promotions and pay raises  and you will get them to a point. Eventually you will find youre not elidgeable for moving up because you "Lack a Degree". Human resource departments are famous for doing this.

  If you plan on an art career where you are in business for yourself freelancing or doing fine art? The answer is NO. When you are trying to get work making art the thing that matters is the quality of the art you do. Your portfolio is what will get you freelance work- not your education.

  Plenty of talent out there is self taught. Plenty of the best artists never went to art school and plenty of people who went to art school are AWFUL artists! 

Hope this helps!