3 answers
Micah
Student
Wheaton, Illinois
3
Questions
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Is it worth going to graduate school for art? Would it help me get a better job in that field
I plan on majoring in art in college but I am not really sure what I will be able to use it for after college. So, I would think that going to an even higher level of education for it would be futile, but then again it might help. #phd
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Gisela Pizzatto
Freelance Illustrator and Mangaka
1
Answer
São Paulo, Brazil
Updated
Gisela’s Answer
Hello, Micah! I'm not really sure if there is a correct answer fr your question. I should ask you what do you expect from a graduation in Arts. Do you want to become a teacher? If the answer is yes, so you need a graduation. If you want to learn how to paint or to draw, hardly you are going to learn that in College. Go for a painting/drawing school. You will learn much more. If you want to work in a museum or this sort of work, yes, you're going to need a degree, If you want to become an artist you don't need to go to College. A paper saying that you is an artist doesn't make you one. Practice and study does. In this field, you do need a good portfolio, not a degree.
Hope I have clarifyed things for you!
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6342
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Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Micah,
Are you pondering over the value of a graduate degree in art? Wondering if it could bolster your career prospects in this field?
A graduate school can indeed be a potent avenue for individuals keen on deepening their knowledge and honing their expertise in the realm of art. Here are some pivotal factors to weigh in while deciding if a graduate degree in art is the right path for you:
1. Focused Skill Enhancement: Art-based graduate programs often pave the way for students to delve into a specific area of interest, such as painting, sculpture, photography, or new media. These programs equip students with advanced training and mentorship, enabling them to polish their skills and cultivate a distinctive artistic style.
2. Building Connections and Gaining Visibility: Graduate school can serve as a platform for valuable networking within the art fraternity. It offers students the opportunity to interact with renowned artists, gallery proprietors, curators, and other industry professionals. Forging these connections can lead to exhibition opportunities, collaborations, and potential job offers.
3. Scope for Teaching: If academia or arts education is your calling, a graduate degree is often a prerequisite. Many educational institutions prioritize candidates with advanced degrees while recruiting faculty members for their art departments. Moreover, teaching assistantships and the chance to work closely with professors can offer invaluable teaching experience.
4. Boosting Credentials: A graduate degree can enhance your credentials, underscoring your dedication to your artistic pursuit. This can be especially advantageous when applying for grants, residencies, or artist-in-residence programs that often require applicants to hold advanced degrees.
5. Artistic Evolution and Discovery: Graduate school provides a nurturing environment for artistic experimentation and evolution. It grants students the liberty to experiment with new techniques, concepts, and mediums without the burden of commercial success. This freedom can trigger significant creative breakthroughs and personal growth as an artist.
6. Career Opportunities: While a graduate degree doesn't guarantee a superior job in the field of art, it can give you an edge in certain sectors. Roles such as university faculty member, museum curator, arts administrator, or independent artist often require or prefer candidates with graduate-level qualifications.
In a nutshell, the worth of a graduate degree in art largely hinges on your personal objectives, ambitions, and financial circumstances. If you're driven by the desire to enhance your artistic practice, engage more profoundly with the art community, and possibly venture into teaching or academic roles in the future, then a graduate degree in art could be advantageous.
Top 3 Credible Sources Used:
College Art Association (CAA): The CAA offers resources and information on graduate programs in visual arts, including guidance on selecting the right program and understanding the perks of advanced education in the arts.
National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD): NASAD, the accrediting body for art schools across the United States, provides insights into the importance of accreditation when considering graduate programs in art.
The New York Times - Arts Section: The Arts section of The New York Times regularly publishes articles on trends in higher education for artists, including discussions on the significance of graduate degrees in the contemporary art world.
May God bless you!
James Constantine Frangos.
Are you pondering over the value of a graduate degree in art? Wondering if it could bolster your career prospects in this field?
A graduate school can indeed be a potent avenue for individuals keen on deepening their knowledge and honing their expertise in the realm of art. Here are some pivotal factors to weigh in while deciding if a graduate degree in art is the right path for you:
1. Focused Skill Enhancement: Art-based graduate programs often pave the way for students to delve into a specific area of interest, such as painting, sculpture, photography, or new media. These programs equip students with advanced training and mentorship, enabling them to polish their skills and cultivate a distinctive artistic style.
2. Building Connections and Gaining Visibility: Graduate school can serve as a platform for valuable networking within the art fraternity. It offers students the opportunity to interact with renowned artists, gallery proprietors, curators, and other industry professionals. Forging these connections can lead to exhibition opportunities, collaborations, and potential job offers.
3. Scope for Teaching: If academia or arts education is your calling, a graduate degree is often a prerequisite. Many educational institutions prioritize candidates with advanced degrees while recruiting faculty members for their art departments. Moreover, teaching assistantships and the chance to work closely with professors can offer invaluable teaching experience.
4. Boosting Credentials: A graduate degree can enhance your credentials, underscoring your dedication to your artistic pursuit. This can be especially advantageous when applying for grants, residencies, or artist-in-residence programs that often require applicants to hold advanced degrees.
5. Artistic Evolution and Discovery: Graduate school provides a nurturing environment for artistic experimentation and evolution. It grants students the liberty to experiment with new techniques, concepts, and mediums without the burden of commercial success. This freedom can trigger significant creative breakthroughs and personal growth as an artist.
6. Career Opportunities: While a graduate degree doesn't guarantee a superior job in the field of art, it can give you an edge in certain sectors. Roles such as university faculty member, museum curator, arts administrator, or independent artist often require or prefer candidates with graduate-level qualifications.
In a nutshell, the worth of a graduate degree in art largely hinges on your personal objectives, ambitions, and financial circumstances. If you're driven by the desire to enhance your artistic practice, engage more profoundly with the art community, and possibly venture into teaching or academic roles in the future, then a graduate degree in art could be advantageous.
Top 3 Credible Sources Used:
College Art Association (CAA): The CAA offers resources and information on graduate programs in visual arts, including guidance on selecting the right program and understanding the perks of advanced education in the arts.
National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD): NASAD, the accrediting body for art schools across the United States, provides insights into the importance of accreditation when considering graduate programs in art.
The New York Times - Arts Section: The Arts section of The New York Times regularly publishes articles on trends in higher education for artists, including discussions on the significance of graduate degrees in the contemporary art world.
May God bless you!
James Constantine Frangos.
Dr. Kelly Desso
Protective Services
235
Answers
Somers, Connecticut
Updated
Dr. Kelly’s Answer
Hi Micah,
This question has so many answers, because it is completely dependent on your interests and experience in the field during your undergraduate work. What area of art are you looking into?
The educational sector, if pursuing a K-12 certification will boost your pay rate with an M.A. or M.F.A. and give your leverage on interviewing over those who only have undergraduate studies. Similarly, if interested in other fields, like graphic design, art history, animation, or fashion, the masters program will usually knock the amount of years of experience off for "entry-level" positions. If your goal is to open your own Etsy store and do customized work for buyers, you need a market over anything else.
Your bachelor's program is going to tell you a lot about if you want to commit advanced coursework and time to the field. Your preferences and experience completing a four-year degree will also help you evaluate if you want to stay at the same school, or move onto a different one. Some people do not want to move forward with graduate school because they do not want to invest the time in perfecting academic research. You might change your specialization after digging beyond entry-level courses. Look at each curriculum carefully and ensure that it aligns with your goals before taking a leap. The path is yours, but go forward knowing your options.
List your interests or anticipated specialization.
See if local job postings ask for advanced course work or have it in their "preferred" section.
Evaluate your time as an undergraduate.
This question has so many answers, because it is completely dependent on your interests and experience in the field during your undergraduate work. What area of art are you looking into?
The educational sector, if pursuing a K-12 certification will boost your pay rate with an M.A. or M.F.A. and give your leverage on interviewing over those who only have undergraduate studies. Similarly, if interested in other fields, like graphic design, art history, animation, or fashion, the masters program will usually knock the amount of years of experience off for "entry-level" positions. If your goal is to open your own Etsy store and do customized work for buyers, you need a market over anything else.
Your bachelor's program is going to tell you a lot about if you want to commit advanced coursework and time to the field. Your preferences and experience completing a four-year degree will also help you evaluate if you want to stay at the same school, or move onto a different one. Some people do not want to move forward with graduate school because they do not want to invest the time in perfecting academic research. You might change your specialization after digging beyond entry-level courses. Look at each curriculum carefully and ensure that it aligns with your goals before taking a leap. The path is yours, but go forward knowing your options.
Dr. Kelly recommends the following next steps: