Degree in the Fine Arts

[Anonymous]

OP, I used to teach graphic design on the college level. One thing everyone should know about graphic design today is that it is highly computer oriented. That is, at a computer all day long. So if you want to be a graphic designer, you need to LOVE your computer, and be able to pick up computer programs easily. The days of doing anything by hand in graphic design are long ago over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD applied to Parsons specifically for fashion, but that is the only art school she applied to. She still has not heard from them since they lost her transcript and a few other things. We have since found out from the school counselor that they are notoriously disorganized…unfortunately, it gives a bit of an idea of what attending school there would be like...We looked at RISD and it's incredible and I have several family members who attended, but she was so on the fence about art school that she did not complete an application. She has now decided to attend a liberal arts school she was accepted to because she came to the conclusion that she wanted a more typical college experience than an art school would provide. She has a few friends who are going to art school, though, and she is keeping it in her thoughts for graduate school. The liberal arts schools she applied to were ones that had design/art programs She will be studying some sort of design - just hasn't determined the exact focus. Some of the things that we discovered during the process:

-You don't say how old your DD is, but she should consider doing a summer program at an art school, whether in DC or somewhere else. Corcoran School has a summer program, but so do all of the other schools. She will get a feel for what will be expected of her and whether she really wants that environment.
-Visit the schools she is interested in attending. Also, speak to kids who attend to get a good feel for the program.
-She should know that art schools are very competitive in nature and she will need to have a thick skin…my concern for my DD was that she would not be as confident in dealing with this until she has matured a bit more, hence graduate programs. However, that is a personal "thing" - some kids are perfectly capable of handling the continuous critiques and working with them. You will know your child better.
-Does she take a higher level art class in school now (i.e. IB Art, AP Art or something close to it)? If she doesn't now she should definitely plan to add that to her schedule. Most good art teachers will know the process of applying to art schools and may have contacts at the schools.
-There is a Portfolio Day at the Corcoran School where art programs visit - end of November/December (confirm dates, though). Art schools and liberal arts schools that have art programs come and have a table. The kids bring their portfolios to show and get feedback. It is also a place to make contacts with schools she may be truly interested in attending. It is very crowded and it pays to get there early since there is a line out the door to get in! There are also long lines at each school…it's a long day...
-The process to apply to art school is very long and labor intensive. She will need to have a portfolio of at least 15 items (some schools may require more, some less). My DD worked all fall of her senior year to complete her portfolio. In fact, her art teacher held special Saturday classes at her school for the kids who were applying to art schools to complete their portfolios. Your DD should speak with her art teacher about this possibility. She will need to photograph each item in her portfolio and download them to the application - it's a specific slideshow program each school will have on its website. In addition, each school will have its own "challenge" - a specific idea that they will want a few pieces. This year for Parsons my DD had to use an everyday item and transform and interpret it into something different.
Also, she will need to write several essays. For the Parsons application my DD had to write 7 essays…some were short paragraphs describing her pieces and others were longer essays. It she is applying to several schools that will be a lot or writing. She may or may not be able to use some of the essays for each school application - it will depend.
-One thing she will want to consider is expanding into other mediums other than drawing. The feedback she may get from the art schools is that they will want to see a bit more than one medium. However, that is something she should talk with her art teacher about - maybe her drawings will be good enough. However, she should know that she will be expected to use other mediums once she is at art school.

That's all I think of now, but if I think of anything else I will let you know. Applying to art schools is not for the faint of heart and, frankly, neither is attending art school…if your daughter is not truly an "artist" at heart then she may be better off considering another option for school. It can be a lot to deal with and taking history may not seem so bad after all…I know someone who was in the fashion industry for many years who attended a liberal arts school, but ended up working with many people from art schools. This person indicated to me that she actually had an advantage in her job because she was able to write well after the years at a liberal arts school. It was something that tended to hold back some of the others she worked with who did not have that training…of course, that is totally anecdotal and her personal opinion, but it is something to think about in terms of long term career options.

Good luck with the process! Again, if I think of anything else I will let you know. Hopefully, others whose kids have applied and/or attended art schools will reply also.

+100 And get ready to hear that it was "the easy way out" Not. But it is very rewarding.

[Anonymous]

Ummm, it also helps to be rich...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does she know how to froth milk properly?

This will be an important skill for her after she graduates.

You are an idiot, the real skills are making smiley faces and other art in a latte

I believe this should be a required course for liberal arts, fine arts, fashion etc....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Follow your passion and you will find happiness - even if you end up frothing a cup of milk or two along the way.

This is the mantra of countless young Americans overloaded with debt and unable to find employment that can provide for a home and a family.

The American higher education system has another word for them...

SUCKERS.

I'm guessing you lack the creativity it takes to understand and appreciate a degree in the arts. Suggesting that it is only graduates with a degree in the fine arts who are having a difficult time finding jobs neglects the fact that there are thousands of college graduates who majored in business, accounting, political science and countless other majors who are having difficulty finding jobs. Also, from a statistical standpoint alone I bet more of the debt problems are happening with kids who majored in an area that you would have defined as acceptable (i.e. business) - simply from the fact that there are more people majoring in those fields. Not as many people have the creativity and/or drive to major in the fine arts (or they have parents who don't understand it…)

Also, you do realize that a degree in fine arts can be more than simply a major in painting, right…? Maybe a little education about the subject and possibilities would serve you well.

Hey dumbass:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2013/10/22/239698749/the-most-and-least-lucrative-college-majors-in-2-graphs

Two of the least lucrative majors:
1. Visual and performing arts
2. Commercial art and graphic design

As for business majors incurring debt, the issue is not just the debt itself, but the ability to pay it off - the likelihood of employment and the debt-to-income ratio. Are business majors more likely to get a job that can pay off a loan than artsy majors? Even someone as stupid as you should be able to guess the right answer to that one.

Unemployment rate by major:
Engineering - 5%
Business - 8%
Arts/Humanities - 12%

Median salary by major:
Engineering - $78,000
Business - $60,000
Arts - $44,000

Average monthly student loan payment by major:
Engineering - $229
Business - $250
Arts - $237

Have you been well served by the education I have provided here?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I used to teach graphic design on the college level. One thing everyone should know about graphic design today is that it is highly computer oriented. That is, at a computer all day long. So if you want to be a graphic designer, you need to LOVE your computer, and be able to pick up computer programs easily. The days of doing anything by hand in graphic design are long ago over.

OP here. Thank you for this bit of info. I was going to sign DD up for the 2 week Graphic Design course at Parsons this summer, but because it so computer oriented, maybe I shouldn't. Last summer she did a program with web design/programming/robotics and didn't really enjoy it much. I was just trying to expose her to something other than Fashion Design, but maybe that is the program I should let her do at Parsons instead. Very helpful Info..THANKS!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP I have an MFA Degree. It has been great for me. VCU is the top state school in Va. Maryland Institute College of Art is in MD and is private. As you will find out, all private art schools are expensive. That said, the fashion world is HUGE, with many billions of dollars spent so there is a place for everyone. The chance of being the next Ralph Lauren are low, but the chances of having a career are good. Watch a couple of episodes of project Runway. My DH always asks me: are they really that tough? answer, yes. Fine art is a hard field. It is NOT the place to go for an easy ride. But if you love to work hard, it is a very rewarding field.

OP here. Thanks for the info on these schools. We are in the really early stages of trying to figure this art thing out. DD loves Project Runway!! Great info!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Follow your passion and you will find happiness - even if you end up frothing a cup of milk or two along the way.

This is the mantra of countless young Americans overloaded with debt and unable to find employment that can provide for a home and a family.

The American higher education system has another word for them...

SUCKERS.

I'm guessing you lack the creativity it takes to understand and appreciate a degree in the arts. Suggesting that it is only graduates with a degree in the fine arts who are having a difficult time finding jobs neglects the fact that there are thousands of college graduates who majored in business, accounting, political science and countless other majors who are having difficulty finding jobs. Also, from a statistical standpoint alone I bet more of the debt problems are happening with kids who majored in an area that you would have defined as acceptable (i.e. business) - simply from the fact that there are more people majoring in those fields. Not as many people have the creativity and/or drive to major in the fine arts (or they have parents who don't understand it…)

Also, you do realize that a degree in fine arts can be more than simply a major in painting, right…? Maybe a little education about the subject and possibilities would serve you well.

Hey dumbass:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2013/10/22/239698749/the-most-and-least-lucrative-college-majors-in-2-graphs

Two of the least lucrative majors:
1. Visual and performing arts
2. Commercial art and graphic design

As for business majors incurring debt, the issue is not just the debt itself, but the ability to pay it off - the likelihood of employment and the debt-to-income ratio. Are business majors more likely to get a job that can pay off a loan than artsy majors? Even someone as stupid as you should be able to guess the right answer to that one.

Unemployment rate by major:
Engineering - 5%
Business - 8%
Arts/Humanities - 12%

Median salary by major:
Engineering - $78,000
Business - $60,000
Arts - $44,000

Average monthly student loan payment by major:
Engineering - $229
Business - $250
Arts - $237

Have you been well served by the education I have provided here?

OP here. While this information is interesting and not really news breaking for me (who doesn't know that engineers do well financially), I'm not going to allow it to deter me from allowing DD to go into the Arts. It really is her passion and she will work hard and do great things, and I will do whatever I need to do as her mother to help her along the way. BTW, because I saw her aptitude in Math & Science I had her do a few engineering programs last summer and she HATED it. Straight A's in those areas but she dislikes all things Math & Science that I have exposed her to, so I'd rather support her in something that causes her to "light up".

[Anonymous]

I have a friend that went to a large state university and got a degree in fashion (don't really remember what it was... but it was fashion related), but minored in accounting (in order to be a tad more practical). Then he went to an art school for graduate school and is now working in the fashion department at a large company and doing well.

I would definitely push some of the larger colleges that have great fine arts programs, and then potentially doing a graduate program that is more specialized. That way, she will be able to get the experiences necessary for a fine arts field, but if that doesn't work out, she will have the opportunity to find some back ups.

[Anonymous]

You shouldn't major in a hobby, maybe minor in one but major in a real career. As they say, don't quit your day job and you don't want your day job to be barista.

[Anonymous]

Great major for trust-fund kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Follow your passion and you will find happiness - even if you end up frothing a cup of milk or two along the way.

This is the mantra of countless young Americans overloaded with debt and unable to find employment that can provide for a home and a family.

The American higher education system has another word for them...

SUCKERS.

I'm guessing you lack the creativity it takes to understand and appreciate a degree in the arts. Suggesting that it is only graduates with a degree in the fine arts who are having a difficult time finding jobs neglects the fact that there are thousands of college graduates who majored in business, accounting, political science and countless other majors who are having difficulty finding jobs. Also, from a statistical standpoint alone I bet more of the debt problems are happening with kids who majored in an area that you would have defined as acceptable (i.e. business) - simply from the fact that there are more people majoring in those fields. Not as many people have the creativity and/or drive to major in the fine arts (or they have parents who don't understand it…)

Also, you do realize that a degree in fine arts can be more than simply a major in painting, right…? Maybe a little education about the subject and possibilities would serve you well.

Hey dumbass:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2013/10/22/239698749/the-most-and-least-lucrative-college-majors-in-2-graphs

Two of the least lucrative majors:
1. Visual and performing arts
2. Commercial art and graphic design

As for business majors incurring debt, the issue is not just the debt itself, but the ability to pay it off - the likelihood of employment and the debt-to-income ratio. Are business majors more likely to get a job that can pay off a loan than artsy majors? Even someone as stupid as you should be able to guess the right answer to that one.

Unemployment rate by major:
Engineering - 5%
Business - 8%
Arts/Humanities - 12%

Median salary by major:
Engineering - $78,000
Business - $60,000
Arts - $44,000

Average monthly student loan payment by major:
Engineering - $229
Business - $250
Arts - $237

Have you been well served by the education I have provided here?

You're clearly a quality human being and really know how to communicate and connect with others. Please leave the thread. It is for people who are interested in helping the OP get knowledge and understanding for her child. I think she answers your response quite nicely - her DD tried engineering, rocked it out, but hated it.

This ends my responses to you. As I've seen on DCUM before - don't feed the troll...

[Anonymous]

My DD is currently on an Art scholarship in HS, part of the NAHS, but will be going the STEM route in college with Art as a minor. She loves Art - draws and paint everyday, but also wants a decent paying job after college.

I have HS friends who're doing extremely well, travels the world showing and lecturing, had a couple shows here in DC. They went to MICA for undergrad back in the 80's.

I would look into RISD as they offer a joint degree with Brown.

[Anonymous]

RISD/BROWN http://risd.brown.edu/

[Anonymous]

If any of my kids ever want to major in a fine art I will send them to VCU. I know tons of grads from there who are working in their fields.