Art is a large and continuously growing field in the workforce. Despite that, the art degree is still treated as a wasted degree, and artists are often discouraged from pursuing an art degree for fear that they will become a “starving artist”. Cartoon by Ashley Lawrence.
By ASHLEY LAWRENCE – Cartoonist
In spite of the popular belief of art being a wasted degree, the “starving artist” stereotype is just that — a stereotype.
“You want to be an artist? You need a plan B.”
“That’s not a real job.”
“You’re not a real teacher.”
“How do you expect to succeed with art as a career?”
“Are you gonna get a second job? I don’t want you to be a starving artist…”
Complaints, questions, incredulous remarks — that’s the life of an artist dreaming of pursuing a career in their chosen field. With pressure to prepare for the future clamping down with each progressing year of school, artists are continuously discouraged from following their dreams for fear of them becoming a “starving artist.”
Contrary to popular belief, however, that simply isn’t true.
Almost everything has been designed by an artist. Computers, desks, buildings, toothbrushes, pencil sharpeners, paper towel dispensers — everything, from the most extravagant to the most benign, has been designed or produced by a person with an art degree.
Not to mention art has grown astronomically as an industry. Through the internet, it has become possible for artists of all ages to share their art all across the world, be it through Tumblr, Twitter, or otherwise. Art can also be commissioned, drawn, and sold using only a computer and the internet.
So what makes art a “wasted degree”? Why is every art student destined to be a “starving artist”, especially within such a visually-based society?
Unless the artist is expecting to profit solely off of commission work, which is unlikely, artists can make a living with a variety of art-related jobs. An artist can be an art director, which makes an average of $40,036 to $93,515 a year; a graphic artist, which makes $32,611 to $71,613 a year; a creative director, which makes $46,972 to $149,195 a year, and that’s not even a fraction of every available option.
And nobody’s starving with $150,000 a year.
