AFTER school???

[Artrunner]

i have a question for students, recent students, used-to-be-students.

what are you doing/did you do to prepare for "the real world"? meaning, supporting yourself as an artist and paying back all of those infamous loans.

I'm half way finished with my B.F.A., and i'm seriously considering Grad School. either way, eventually I have to live off of this stuff, and professors who make a living by teaching (as opposed to off of their work) haven't been more than vaguely helpful. i'm learnig a TON about Art, but not much about applying it to anything that will pay rent until i'm a famous, multinational, multimillion dollar artist :) jk

i know it isn't going to be easy, so i'm trying to prepare as much as possible now. i just wanted to see what others were doing in the same situation.

[John_Stamper]

my advice, learn about running a business. As boring and mundane as it may be for many artists, myself included, it is necessary for financial success.

get some good books and study on your own. the basics are not that hard, and you can apply them to art just as much as any other type of venture.

Also, read "how to make money as an artist" by sean moore. ISBN#1-55652-413-7

bought mine at half.com really cheap.

there are many titles out there that have similar advice, but this book was my personal favorite. no BS, right to the point ideas and strategies on how to make it out there in the real world.

I am a professional artist. I paint everyday. I sell my paintings and do lots of commissions. I am getting close to the point where I can stop doing other things for money and just paint. I have had to learn a lot about sales and marketing. some things work, some don't. i experiment and learn from mistakes. the more mistakes i make, the smarter i get.

It takes time and perisistance, but it can be done.


good luck

[Nihil_Initio]

I'm trying all EXCEPT grad school; Been there, done that, and not doing it again. Grad school sucks a**, pardon my french. The only thing an MFA is good for is for teaching @ college level. and the market for University Art professors sucks; too many applicants, not enough openings.

Ultimately, I will be pursuing galleries, representaion, and commisions. I'll also have a day job until my reputation is good enough to ditch "work"

Thats my plan.

Nihil

[brblavalamp]

I am also halfway finished with my BFA...I want to go to grad school and teach at college level....I know the whole "saturated market" thing, but what job doesn't have that? It really is what I want to do, so I am going to try, give it my best and play it by ear....I'm interested in finding a TA program, which I know aren't terribly abundant....but I'm trying anyway

[Artrunner]

ok, so i'm also wondering how much an MFA would benefit me. i would love to stay in the environment where art "matters." But, i don't see myself teaching college for more than just a few years, and people who buy work seem to care a lot more about the paint on the canvas than the letters on the resume. i'm still weighing the pros and cons...its not like i have to decide tommorow.

so, does anyone have experience with grad school?--you wish you had gone because it would have made your life easier/better/more fullfilled. or you did go, and it was a waste?

i'm just looking for some objective viewpoints on the subject. i appreciate all of the comments so far!

ben

[saralindsey]

i am doing none of the above. i am planning on teaching art or history depending on what i can get as soon as i graduate and have a certificate. then we will see what happens after, perhaps going for graduate school in art history.

[luvlorn]

One of the things I like about graphic design is I don't need a Masters. I'll be jumping straight into the job market and hope for the best.

[dragonart]

im graphics designand you dont need a master no but im getting mine while many that dont can be basic designers i can go right into a office position without starting my own firm or business, your chances of being a creative director, or senior designer without working for about 5 years as a entrylevel designer , internships are great for getting your foot in the door so in GD no mfa = 100,000$ and less and mfa = 100,000$ and up per year

[luvlorn]

That's good advice. I don't think I'll be up to grad school when I graduate but it'll still be there later :) Considering what I live on now, money's not the main concern.

[lavendarMist]

Your school probably has a career services, visit them its a great resource, because most alumni like hiring fellow alumni. Also try an internship for the summer get out there and make some connections and there is always a possibility of getting a job there. Also during your internship have your portfolio with you and visit anyone who markets/sells/looks at art and show them your stuff and give them your card. And find out about the hiring rate is hiring rate is higher for grad students from your school or for B.A.s.

[Keith Russell]

I'll be starting my second sophomore semester in January. Over the next two and a half years, I plan to create the absolute best work of which I'm capable. Technique is not enough; concept alone is not enough.

I am already planning several series of large-scale, allegorical paintings--work which is also extremely well-exectued, and created with careful attention to archival longevity.

I'm not sure about galleries. I'd rather control my own career; I plan to find patrons myself.

I plan to go on to grad school. I think having an MFA will help me to be taken more seriously, especially as I am interested in art as philosophy, as well as sensory experience--and if I ever decide to publish (which seems likely, given my disposition!) having an MFA should add credibility.

K

[Quiet]

what are you doing/did you do to prepare for "the real world"? meaning, supporting yourself as an artist and paying back all of those infamous loans.


Former student here; bachelor’s degree in illustration. I’ve been working as a 3D artist at a company that makes computer games for the past four years, which is what I wanted to do when I graduated. I’ve never sold work through a gallery, so take anything I have to say on that topic with a grain of salt. However, I will recommend another book for you:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0805068007/qid=1102745497/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_b_2_1/104-6792335-7488754

How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist, by Caroll Michels. And I will also suggest that if you are thinking of going to graduate school in order to avoid paying student loans for few more years. . . then don’t. You’ll just dig yourself deeper in that particular hole. If there is something specific that you think you can achieve in grad school then it may be worth your while – but make sure you get that thing while you are there, because it’s darned expensive. The actual degree you will get is largely worthless. What matters is the art you can produce, and your ability to find an audience for your art that is willing to pay you to make it. In my case, I loved to draw fantasy subject matter, I found 3D graphics to be fascinating, and I loved games. If what you love to do is glue doilies onto canvasses or paint hyper realistic fruit, there are people out there who will pay for that as well. If the graduate school of your choice has demonstrated that it can help you to locate the audience for what you make while it helps you to refine your skills, then go for it. Otherwise, ask your parents if you can live in their basement while you get through those first frightening months or years.

im graphics designand you dont need a master no but im getting mine while many that dont can be basic designers i can go right into a office position without starting my own firm or business, your chances of being a creative director, or senior designer without working for about 5 years as a entrylevel designer , internships are great for getting your foot in the door so in GD no mfa = 100,000$ and less and mfa = 100,000$ and up per year

I find it curious that you expect to hold a high-paying managerial position in a communications field while relating this to us at a sub-highschool level of communication. If the above is truly the career you hope to achieve, then I suggest you start by getting your casual written English usage tidied up. Nobody will hire a manager or other pivotal team-member who can’t communicate clearly and seriously.

[lahrensbrown]

One of the things I like about graphic design is I don't need a Masters. I'll be jumping straight into the job market and hope for the best.

From a graphic designer who has been in the market a couple of years, don't assume that a MFA won't be necessary or that graphic design is an easy fall-back career. Depending on the market you could end up stuck retouching photos for someone else's design concept for a long time without the education to back up your skills. If you find the right environment design can be a great way to earn a living while not totally giving up creativity from 9 to 5.

[ed_keaton]

i have a question for students, recent students, used-to-be-students.

what are you doing/did you do to prepare for "the real world"? meaning, supporting yourself as an artist and paying back all of those infamous loans.

I'm half way finished with my B.F.A., and i'm seriously considering Grad School. either way, eventually I have to live off of this stuff, and professors who make a living by teaching (as opposed to off of their work) haven't been more than vaguely helpful. i'm learnig a TON about Art, but not much about applying it to anything that will pay rent until i'm a famous, multinational, multimillion dollar artist :) jk

i know it isn't going to be easy, so i'm trying to prepare as much as possible now. i just wanted to see what others were doing in the same situation.

I'm one semester away from my BFA in illustration, and after school I'm planning on marrying my honey (wahoo!), and dive nosefirst into freelance illustration with a part time job somewhere I'm sure. I'm thinking about doing webdesign as well, because I can and people always want websites, and I've got no shortage of bills already. I was lucky enough to have college paid for, but once that's done I'm out on my own. My professors at school are enthusiastic that I could be sucessfull, so I'm crossing my fingers and buying a dictionary before I start sending out letters. Oh, I'm also going to be married to (hopefully) a professor, so there might be a little housewifery involved until I can get up and off the ground. Wish me luck :cool:

Let's see... the only professional gallery painter I know is Jerome Witkin, who does stunning work and lives pretty well off of it, but he teaches to supplant his income. His paintings sell for 40-60 grand, so a coulple of those a year and he's set. I know he does alot of portraiture, which is supposed to be a nice way to stay in the arts and keep your head above water at the same time. His wife also works full time... I think to be an artist professionally you have to accept you aren't going to be living in mansions, but you do get to paint for a living, which is cool, and most professional artists seem a little more personally fulfilled too.

As for grad school, I'd say it would depend on what you were going into grad school for- and if you really need it and have the money for it, or if you think you've got what it takes and could head into the art world and start reaping some cash.

I know alot of professionals that have come to my school and spoken have said that the first 5 years out of college are really the determining factor in who's going to make it and who's not- if you can stick it out for 5 years and are still alive, you're in. If not, maybe time to find something else.

I hope this helped! Good luck :wave:

[Miranda_Asch]

According to one of my professors, grad schools generally don't like to take students who are straight out of their degree program. They would rather have students who have been out of school for awhile who continued to practice their art. That way, there's a better chance that these people will continue with their art career, making a reputation for the grad school.

[Keith Russell]

Miranda, I hope that whatever grad school I attend will realize that there was nearly 20 years between my graduating from juniour college, and when I will have earned my BFA degree.

K

[Reignboblu]

Let's see.

I have one-year at a big private school in english, two at a smaller state school, but I don't have a degree from either, while at the smaller state school, I got a job as a writer, won a NEPA award for feature writing, and then got promoted to copy editor, Six years of professional experience in my chosen field, while working I started and finished a 63 credit heavy associate's degree in fine arts. In the fall, while I enter my seventh year at work, I'll also start my junior year at MassArt in Boston (crossing my fingers, I haven't been accepted yet!) It should take me three years to finish there, putting me at 29, with an associate's in fine art, 10 years professional writing experience and a BFA in painting and printmaking. At that point, I'll go back and finish off my English degree at my local college, get married to Aaron after living together for then 11 years and start thinking about a family. Build my house/studio on my parent's property and keep working nights and painting during the day, while my husband and dad take care of the bogs and the orchard and the kids. Maybe I'll get and MFA later in life, but not right away, I want to paint first, travel more, see more art.