What Can You Do With An Art Degree?

Here find over 200 career choices for art students.

By: Andrea Mulder-Slater

Dear KinderArt,

I am a highschool student seriously considering getting a Fine Arts Degree (BFA) or maybe even higher such as masters… or even PhD..

All I wonder is that is it worth it to pursue such a goal? Everyone (other than people also aspiring to become artists, and my mother) that I talk to believe that getting an Art Degree is pointless, because “There is nothing to do with an Art Degree” so my parents want me to get a practical degree.

My question is “Is it worth it to go into art in the end?”

Years ago, I was invited to speak to secondary school students at a career day session. My mission, should I choose to accept it, was to talk about what I did for a living. A simple enough task, however, in preparation, I felt I should research what (other than artist, writer and teacher) can be done with an arts degree. In addition to locating a number of suggested career paths for those graduating with an arts degree, I sat down and began writing down all the careers, associated with the arts, that came to mind. I stopped when I reached 209.

Not long after, the above letter touched on the very same topic. The author of the above question is facing something many entering college/university do. There is a common belief that an arts degree will get you nowhere and that those who study art should really do it “on the side” while working toward a “practical” degree. That might be true if an arts degree only leads to a job as a visual artist. However, I’m here to show you that possibilities exist far beyond an artist’s studio.

Bottom line, if you are a creative person who enjoys art and wants to learn more about it — go for it. In the end, opportunities will present themselves if you are open to them. An artist is never out of work.

—————–

UPDATE: When I posted this piece several years ago, I never expected the kind of response I’ve received with comments that range from cheerful to downright ugly.

I felt it was fairly obvious to anyone pursuing a degree, that different specialties call for different educational paths. I was under the impression that people would recognize that if they wanted to become an Advertising Director, than they would need to pursue an education in advertising as well as art. And, if you they were longing to become an Archaeologist, they would understand that a degree in archaeology would be a necessity. Similarly, a Lawyer with an Art Specialty would need to be a lawyer first.

Honestly, I didn’t for foresee the anger that this piece has elicited. I contemplated taking it down but then it occurred to me that by removing the list would just perpetuate the idea that The Arts are not a valuable commodity. Nothing could be further from the truth. The “starving artist” myth exists only because too many people are stuck in a “we’ve always done it this way” rut. If you want to study art and have the means, then do it. I’m a big believer in following your bliss. After all, you only have one life to live and if you aren’t spending (at least a portion of it) following your dreams and discovering your affinities, then you might want to choose a new path and art might just help lead you there.

Now, if you want to “play it safe” the general consensus is that a Liberal Arts degree (not so far removed) is far more valuable in today’s world than any other degree. But, you don’t have to take my word for it…

“The people who will succeed in more expensive labor markets like the U.S. will be those who can think creatively and generate the IDEAS that will propel economic growth.”
~Vivek Ranadivé

Here’s the list, for what it’s worth.