Why emphasize arts, theatre, etc when looking at colleges?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not some kind of uncultured Neanderthal, I’m really not, but I find it a bit strange when I see parents focusing on the strength of this or that school’s art/theatre/music/dance programs. I get it, your kid is good at art, wants to stay with it, but come on. Unless you are loaded and the kid will never have to worry about supporting himself or herself, who cares about the quality of the art programming? It’s a nice hobby and a nice side benefit of going to college, but to prioritize it seems impractical to me. It’s hard for me to relate to. It’s like choosing a college based on how good the sports team is. Who cares? The point of college athletics is to use it to get into college, not to be a member of a team that had a 10-4 record rather than 8-6.

What am I missing?

Ahhh, the arts troll is back. Every few weeks this surfaces. Every time, those of us who make our living in the arts explain and validate the field as a vocation and enrichment. So, having done this dance numerous times, I have to think that this is a troll at this point. Or, just another ignorant person who likes to pass judgment on something they know nothing about. Please, give it a rest, Arts Troll.

OP: I have not previously commented on the arts. In fact the topic was provoked by a comment in the Wesleyan Davidson W&M thread where the kid was potentially going to go to Wes because of drama or something like that. And it just felt like the tail was wagging the dog. Like the priority should be the career goal and the art stuff should be secondary (esp since each of the schools probably has acceptable offerings)… I am not anti-art but these schools are EXPENSIVE and I really was struggling to relate to the emphasis on studies/activities that normally have minimal payoff. I wasn’t really criticizing it, just trying to understand what people were thinking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not some kind of uncultured Neanderthal, I’m really not, but I find it a bit strange when I see parents focusing on the strength of this or that school’s art/theatre/music/dance programs. I get it, your kid is good at art, wants to stay with it, but come on. Unless you are loaded and the kid will never have to worry about supporting himself or herself, who cares about the quality of the art programming? It’s a nice hobby and a nice side benefit of going to college, but to prioritize it seems impractical to me. It’s hard for me to relate to. It’s like choosing a college based on how good the sports team is. Who cares? The point of college athletics is to use it to get into college, not to be a member of a team that had a 10-4 record rather than 8-6.

What am I missing?

Ahhh, the arts troll is back. Every few weeks this surfaces. Every time, those of us who make our living in the arts explain and validate the field as a vocation and enrichment. So, having done this dance numerous times, I have to think that this is a troll at this point. Or, just another ignorant person who likes to pass judgment on something they know nothing about. Please, give it a rest, Arts Troll.

OP: I have not previously commented on the arts. In fact the topic was provoked by a comment in the Wesleyan Davidson W&M thread where the kid was potentially going to go to Wes because of drama or something like that. And it just felt like the tail was wagging the dog. Like the priority should be the career goal and the art stuff should be secondary (esp since each of the schools probably has acceptable offerings)… I am not anti-art but these schools are EXPENSIVE and I really was struggling to relate to the emphasis on studies/activities that normally have minimal payoff. I wasn’t really criticizing it, just trying to understand what people were thinking.

Omg you need a hobby- if only you had taken more arts classes as a college student!

[Anonymous]

"And btw I collect art and appreciate art."

I'm dying to know what you collect - Thomas Kinkade? Some retired rockstar at Wentworth Gallery?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: "And btw I collect art and appreciate art."

I'm dying to know what you collect - Thomas Kinkade? Some retired rockstar at Wentworth Gallery?

A few different styles - mostly contemporary- one piece was even lent to a respected west coast art museum for a retrospective on the artist, although it was far from my most valuable piece. I suspect I’ve been to more art museums and more galleries around the world than you have! Ironically not majoring in art gets you even more access to the art world in some ways!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not some kind of uncultured Neanderthal, I’m really not, but I find it a bit strange when I see parents focusing on the strength of this or that school’s art/theatre/music/dance programs. I get it, your kid is good at art, wants to stay with it, but come on. Unless you are loaded and the kid will never have to worry about supporting himself or herself, who cares about the quality of the art programming? It’s a nice hobby and a nice side benefit of going to college, but to prioritize it seems impractical to me. It’s hard for me to relate to. It’s like choosing a college based on how good the sports team is. Who cares? The point of college athletics is to use it to get into college, not to be a member of a team that had a 10-4 record rather than 8-6.

What am I missing?

Ahhh, the arts troll is back. Every few weeks this surfaces. Every time, those of us who make our living in the arts explain and validate the field as a vocation and enrichment. So, having done this dance numerous times, I have to think that this is a troll at this point. Or, just another ignorant person who likes to pass judgment on something they know nothing about. Please, give it a rest, Arts Troll.

OP: I have not previously commented on the arts. In fact the topic was provoked by a comment in the Wesleyan Davidson W&M thread where the kid was potentially going to go to Wes because of drama or something like that. And it just felt like the tail was wagging the dog. Like the priority should be the career goal and the art stuff should be secondary (esp since each of the schools probably has acceptable offerings)… I am not anti-art but these schools are EXPENSIVE and I really was struggling to relate to the emphasis on studies/activities that normally have minimal payoff. I wasn’t really criticizing it, just trying to understand what people were thinking.

Omg you need a hobby- if only you had taken more arts classes as a college student!

I loved my art history class. I remember walking with the TA and she farted, in like a really casual way. Like it was no big deal. Blew my mind. My Econ TAs wouldn’t do that. I remember we spent like 20 minutes talking about how Moses was gripping his beard in the Michelangelo sculpture

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When the world was shut down during a pandemic, we needed the scientists and doctors to help cure us. But we also needed the artists and writers. How much Netflix did you stream? How many books did you read? How did you find and share joy and meaning in your life?

It's not enough to simply be alive and earn money. You need purpose, connections, community. These come from the the study and expression of language and art.

+1

It's not all about earning money or learning to earn money. It's about learning to enjoy the world.

Why do people think it is one thing or the other? A doc friend of mine is a concert trumpeter. A Google friend is a writer. Both studied multiple things in school and enjoy both parts of their lives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When the world was shut down during a pandemic, we needed the scientists and doctors to help cure us. But we also needed the artists and writers. How much Netflix did you stream? How many books did you read? How did you find and share joy and meaning in your life?

It's not enough to simply be alive and earn money. You need purpose, connections, community. These come from the the study and expression of language and art.

+1

It's not all about earning money or learning to earn money. It's about learning to enjoy the world.

Why do people think it is one thing or the other? A doc friend of mine is a concert trumpeter. A Google friend is a writer. Both studied multiple things in school and enjoy both parts of their lives.

I think it’s even fine to say, “Phooey; I hate the arts!” Or, “Art majors should know how to code, tend bar and handle bookkeeping, just in case.”

But what’s irritating are the people, with kids applying to T50 schools, who don’t understand that some people — and especially some alumni of T50 schools — make a great living in fields related to the arts and social sciences.

What’s also irritating are the parents who seem not to understand that a normal bright kid who tries to major in STEM at a T30ish school, without a passion for the subject, will likely fail out in a semester. A lot of parents seem to think majoring in CS at UVa is like first-grade math. The parents have no clue whatsoever what they’re expecting from their kids.

[Anonymous]

My kid is CS and Media Arts combined major.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When the world was shut down during a pandemic, we needed the scientists and doctors to help cure us. But we also needed the artists and writers. How much Netflix did you stream? How many books did you read? How did you find and share joy and meaning in your life?

It's not enough to simply be alive and earn money. You need purpose, connections, community. These come from the the study and expression of language and art.

+1

It's not all about earning money or learning to earn money. It's about learning to enjoy the world.

Why do people think it is one thing or the other? A doc friend of mine is a concert trumpeter. A Google friend is a writer. Both studied multiple things in school and enjoy both parts of their lives.

Arts and social sciences are two very different things.

I think it’s even fine to say, “Phooey; I hate the arts!” Or, “Art majors should know how to code, tend bar and handle bookkeeping, just in case.”

But what’s irritating are the people, with kids applying to T50 schools, who don’t understand that some people — and especially some alumni of T50 schools — make a great living in fields related to the arts and social sciences.

What’s also irritating are the parents who seem not to understand that a normal bright kid who tries to major in STEM at a T30ish school, without a passion for the subject, will likely fail out in a semester. A lot of parents seem to think majoring in CS at UVa is like first-grade math. The parents have no clue whatsoever what they’re expecting from their kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To the woman who mentions her husband plays jazz piano and is a surgeon, why do you say “he’s not gay”? Who would think that? Are you saying that men who play piano are usually gay? Is that what you think other people think? I don’t know, as a mother of a gay son, I found that slightly offensive or at least just confused that you are using a weird stereotype.

NP: I would actually kind of assume he’s gay and to be honest he’s probably had some gay experiences. Sounds like an interesting guy though! And I bet most women would prefer to be married to a quasi gay man.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When the world was shut down during a pandemic, we needed the scientists and doctors to help cure us. But we also needed the artists and writers. How much Netflix did you stream? How many books did you read? How did you find and share joy and meaning in your life?

It's not enough to simply be alive and earn money. You need purpose, connections, community. These come from the the study and expression of language and art.

+ 100000000000000 YES!

[Anonymous]

OP, as Louis Armstrong said when asked about Jazz, "if you gotta ask, you'll never know".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not some kind of uncultured Neanderthal, I’m really not, but I find it a bit strange when I see parents focusing on the strength of this or that school’s art/theatre/music/dance programs. I get it, your kid is good at art, wants to stay with it, but come on. Unless you are loaded and the kid will never have to worry about supporting himself or herself, who cares about the quality of the art programming? It’s a nice hobby and a nice side benefit of going to college, but to prioritize it seems impractical to me. It’s hard for me to relate to. It’s like choosing a college based on how good the sports team is. Who cares? The point of college athletics is to use it to get into college, not to be a member of a team that had a 10-4 record rather than 8-6.

What am I missing?

Ahhh, the arts troll is back. Every few weeks this surfaces. Every time, those of us who make our living in the arts explain and validate the field as a vocation and enrichment. So, having done this dance numerous times, I have to think that this is a troll at this point. Or, just another ignorant person who likes to pass judgment on something they know nothing about. Please, give it a rest, Arts Troll.

OP: I have not previously commented on the arts. In fact the topic was provoked by a comment in the Wesleyan Davidson W&M thread where the kid was potentially going to go to Wes because of drama or something like that. And it just felt like the tail was wagging the dog. Like the priority should be the career goal and the art stuff should be secondary (esp since each of the schools probably has acceptable offerings)… I am not anti-art but these schools are EXPENSIVE and I really was struggling to relate to the emphasis on studies/activities that normally have minimal payoff. I wasn’t really criticizing it, just trying to understand what people were thinking.

My take on that was that it WAS a secondary consideration. You narrow down the choices and end up with a few that will all get you to your career goal. If you don't have to take loans and the three schools are similarly affordable for a family, it makes sense to make the final choice based on other quality of life considerations and the strength of the arts programs you want to participate in is a totally reasonable thing to consider, just as the sports offerings are for an athlete. My DD had a few strong options for her major and the music program was a tie breaker. But schools not strong in her major would not have made the list just because they had a great band program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When the world was shut down during a pandemic, we needed the scientists and doctors to help cure us. But we also needed the artists and writers. How much Netflix did you stream? How many books did you read? How did you find and share joy and meaning in your life?

It's not enough to simply be alive and earn money. You need purpose, connections, community. These come from the the study and expression of language and art.

+1

It's not all about earning money or learning to earn money. It's about learning to enjoy the world.

Why do people think it is one thing or the other? A doc friend of mine is a concert trumpeter. A Google friend is a writer. Both studied multiple things in school and enjoy both parts of their lives.

Good for them! (seriously). However, plenty of people have the arts/theater/music as their sole interest---they cannot imagine doing anything else. So they choose to pursue that.
Your doc friend cannot be a full time concert trumpeter and be a Full time practicing doctor at the same time---it's just not possible. They might play in a group that performs every 3 months with 1 rehearsal per week.
A true professional musician will be practicing 2-4 hours per day, attending rehearsals daily (or 3-4x/week) with the orchestra and performing 2-4 times per week during the season. It's a full time job, with teaching private lessons or at a university often included as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When the world was shut down during a pandemic, we needed the scientists and doctors to help cure us. But we also needed the artists and writers. How much Netflix did you stream? How many books did you read? How did you find and share joy and meaning in your life?

It's not enough to simply be alive and earn money. You need purpose, connections, community. These come from the the study and expression of language and art.

+1

It's not all about earning money or learning to earn money. It's about learning to enjoy the world.

Why do people think it is one thing or the other? A doc friend of mine is a concert trumpeter. A Google friend is a writer. Both studied multiple things in school and enjoy both parts of their lives.

I think it’s even fine to say, “Phooey; I hate the arts!” Or, “Art majors should know how to code, tend bar and handle bookkeeping, just in case.”

But what’s irritating are the people, with kids applying to T50 schools, who don’t understand that some people — and especially some alumni of T50 schools — make a great living in fields related to the arts and social sciences.

What’s also irritating are the parents who seem not to understand that a normal bright kid who tries to major in STEM at a T30ish school, without a passion for the subject, will likely fail out in a semester. A lot of parents seem to think majoring in CS at UVa is like first-grade math. The parents have no clue whatsoever what they’re expecting from their kids.

+1000