I wish I had this advice when I was going to art school, but I have learned some things along the way that I want to share with everyone who has asked my advice as a parent or young artist considering art school.
1. If at all possible, don’t get loans.
Save. Get grants and scholarships. Start a fundraiser for college. Don’t do the debt, if at all possible. I say this for any college education, not just art. It will be your responsibility to pay it back, and no one else’s, like any other debt.
I would love to tell you you don’t need to fork out a bunch of money to go to school and that you can just use YouTube. And that’s partially true, but school can be valuable too, especially if you want a good full-time job at any point. I knew companies wanted a resume, so I went to art school. I learned a lot, but if I had it to do again I would have:
– saved for tuition
– worked during school to pay for tuition
– considered an accredited community college for the first two years, then
transferred
– made more real-life work contacts by doing internships and work for companies in my field instead of working at the record store for shopping money.
Life is a lot easier and there are more opportunities when you’re not in debt.
2. Take business and marketing classes.
Whatever you have to do, whether it is at your art school or if, like mine didn’t, they don’t offer business or marketing, take more classes and another nearby school. When you buy a cute car and want to drive it, you put gas in it. Same with your art. You love it, but if it never leaves your studio, it’s not of much use to you or anyone else. And only posting on Facebook doesn’t count as marketing.
3. Learn to write
You will also need to know how to write about your art and yourself, and to communicate. Take those classes on business writing and even creative writing. Practice writing. You will need to write your resume, cover letters, grant proposals, emails, your artist statement, cv, promotional materials, and much more.
4. Make a strong portfolio
You will need it for your art school interview. Search out what you should include. Don’t rush. Have your work done long before your interview. Put it neatly in a nice portfolio or ‘look book’, not a ring binder. And yes, bring your tablet, but if your tablet fails for any reason, you will be prepared with paper art or photos. And neatness counts. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to be messy once you start school. But you’ll have to clean everything up after graduation anyway, so you may as well learn now.
5. Work in your field
If at all possible, and as long as it doesn’t interfere with your studies, try to work in your field for companies that you may want to revisit after graduation. You will also have something to put on your new resume after graduation.
6. Be smart, stay focused.
Yes, you’re in a new environment and chances are no one there knows you. You still have a future to consider and art to show the world. Keep the parties and drama to a minimum. You’re still paying for that morning class you skip from staying out too late.
Not that I ever did that…
7. Learn money management.
Again, a basic for anyone, but as an artist, you’re running a business. Learn money
principles now. Take Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. Money is a store of labor. The better you use yours, the more freedom you will have later for residencies,
travel, and to create without worry, and you probably will not need to get a job at Starbucks, unless you want to.
There is probably more I need to say, so that will wait for the next blog. If you have any questions, please ask and I will add them to the blog with answers!
