Wants to Go to Art School? My Two Cents.

Maybe you would expect me to go against all the classic that say art is difficult! Don't go to art school, you will graduate unemployed! Do practical stuffs!

Well I still disagree with parents discouraging what their kids actually want for sole purpose of the job after. But been studying in arts college for two years, I would like to give my two cents.

College is structured LEARNING system. it means that whatever major you're taking, they will give you an intense learning broadly and deeply to equip you with what you have paid for. So when you get into an arts college, not just you will be given some time to practice in studio, but they will also provide knowledge on how art becomes what it is today, how other artist do their works, and how you have to broaden your option to make your arts.

I might disagree before when I was in high school but life got me a lesson, that college major should be a considerate decision. I won't say that the major you pick limit you from other area of practice, I don't think human's mind is that rigid unless you set it to. But it definitely makes a big deal for interesting learning you will go through for years. We are talking about years made of daily attendants listening or practicing something specialized for hours. 

I have heard many stories of people  stuck up in engineering or administration dreaming of studying arts. BUT being an arts student, oddly I have heard the same thing coming from the arts student. Not just once, but dozen probably! How could you regret learning about something so much close to your heart? so thought our naive. But yeah, my friend shared publicly how she regret taking design and wished she would stay taking medical school instead. I don't refer this just to fine arts. I have talked to students from illustration animation, graphic communication, and fashion. They have the same problem. But mostly I want to highlight fine arts because it is so called as the one with the least job field out of all.

When you think art school is just about beautiful drawing, then in my humble opinion I'd suggest you to take short course or workshop instead OR do dozens of research on arts school. Most of art school no matter how contemporary their genre is, has fundamental lesson for drawing yes. But rooting on structured based institutional learning they want to direct you into arts industry. It varies depending on which school you go, but I find it that it has become a condition for them in order to compete with other institution, that they have to equip the students to make it in a tough world out there. I am not saying that sole beautiful drawings are not arts, I think it is. The point is how much you are prepared to actually learning with an open mind, and not just boost your ego presenting your beautiful drawings. There will be lecturers asking you why you do what you do, why this and that. They could rip you off in front of people if they have to, you can't fool them bullshitting around, when you don't bring anything solid on the table. Institution no longer supports your art solely as hobby, it prepares it for the career as well.

It's going to make a long essay if I go deep on traditional arts vs contemporary arts which is on current trend so I'll skip to my next point. 

The power of words when it is said from heart is that it rings over and over again in your mind. I am reminded by what my lecturer said when he went mad looking how the students did not seem to have passion for learning for his class and always clueless about recent arts updates in Singapore. He was frustrated because in arts school you were supposed to be surrounded by passionate learners. He pointed out students randomly to answer "why do you make arts?" The air was tensed and most students answered unconvincingly. (maybe I would too, if that finger was at me)

That class drags up to this far, that now I bring it up again. Art is hard, make a living from art is hard, paying tuition is hard, why'd go all that trouble if we don't have a reason? It sinks in me the more and more it relates to my observation of arts industry recently.

It makes sense in a way how some people are put into a major where the job field are wide open under practical reason "easier to get a job" which is still naive in a way. But you can't have that reason  for arts. It's going to be hard. So I understand his frustration, if you are not eager to learn then what for?

I myself still try to find my place in arts. See? How could it be that tricky? It used to be just about drawing before I enroll, now it seems that I have to include some research on why I do what I do. Arts has a lot of genres and positions. Some people are good at making one, some are good at selling one, presenting one, writing about one, or teaching about one..

Some of non-arts people might just knew this but most artist have so much love and hate relationship with what we are doing. We are not forever on top of high spirits energy flowing through our hand making connection with universe through painting and all what shit.

If you just like to draw and that's it, think twice before going to arts school. (Or research which department suit better to your interest. Are you more of a designer or artist)

If you just like shopping clothes, think twice about majoring in fashion. (Actually, think dozen times)

If you just like watching anime, think twice about going to arts school. Not that the input of your anime reference won't be useful, but because it's gonna be tougher than binge-watching 10 episodes a day.

If you are a learner with open mind, I'd say go ahead. But remember taking it to that serious level of going to college, you'll encounter pressure of arts as professional practice not just as hobby. You'll be surrounded by people who do things like you if not better. Lecturer will treat your works not just as doodle in leisure time, but actual meaningful works that could be potentially invested or thrown to the bin. If there is no good reason to stay and learn, it is gonna eat up your passion. I mean if you want to keep it a hobby, you definitely can alongside with other things that is more practical and pays more. That is one healthy choice. You can also twist your mind trying to make it a hobby out of professional activity that you are doing. That is one level higher and well kid I'd be jealous for you are so much on the right track. But the point is.. know that any school won't be that simple, easy, and laid-back just because it has label arts in it. 

I have seen my classmate only came to school on the last two weeks, and I never saw him again. I've seen people giving up their attendance because art has never been their interest in the first place. They were not good at any other subjects, art became the only option. I think it is fine to come with zero skill, as long you have that energy balls to learn forward. Talking about skill, art does not always include about skill anyway, nowadays. (that will make a whole new essay so skip forward)

College is tough like anything else. I have to admit the major I am taking now is the least tough out of all other, BUT everything comes with a price. For my major, it is going to be hard once we graduate if we don't prepare what it takes, or AT LEAST love what we do. So it is the same, there is an extra preparation.

As much as I have no control over the effect, I hope my writing is taken more as an insight of arts school and industry for a more considerate input rather than a discouragement. Like what I have said earlier, I support everyone who follow up their passion. and I understand passion changes, that's part of the process too. My friend wants to be politician after two years study in fashion and I support it I saw how much she light up when talking about one. My point is, school takes time and money,  and ALL major comes with good and bad but does it worth the glitters? Knows the difference of what we like or what we are prepared for AND what is only romanticized.