Im having trouble with this whole art school idea.
Art is the thing i love the most, unfortunately i dont put much into it right now... wary that its not what i "really want to do".
I know i want to do somthing with my career involving creativity, people [social skills], and organizing things.
Art school was just kind of the obvious choice... but i need help finding advice on whether or not i should pursue this.
This is the time, because I'm in Junior year of high school...
any suggestions/comments would be helpful.
Full Version: Art School
Sounds to me like one of those crossroads in life. A very personal decision that ultimately you'll have to choose for yourself. If you go to art school and commit yourself fully, your efforts will pay off by earning the skills you'll need to find a job doing something you enjoy. If it's the cost you're worried about, try browsing colleges online to see what sort of degree programs they have, most of the time even a community college will have courses geared towards art and social sciences. Whatever you choose, stick with it, carry it out and don't give up!
Ok, so your question has convinced me to make my first post on the Drawspace forums...
There are sooooo many things you can do "involving creativity, people [social skills], and organizing things!" Most careers these days require strong use of each of those skills for one to excel. I would encourage you to look for something for which you have a passion and look for job descriptions that allow you to do that. If creating visual works of art turns you on, pursue art school. Other closely related options are design (graphic, fashion, industrial, landscape, and on and on and on), architecture, advertising. Others that aren't so obvious include human factors engineering, project management, sales, engineering, programming, journalism (yikes, I could go on and on). Look for what lights your fire because you'll spend a large fraction of your time doing it ... and because it is work (after all) you need to have a passion to allow you to cope with the aspects that aren't fun (politics, schedules, funding, etc.).
The best advice I could give is to not put barriers in front of yourself ... nearly any career is attainable if you have the determination!
The second best advice I could give is ... don't worry too much, if you don't make the right call on your first career, you'll have time for a second and third career, after all you'll likely have to work for 50 years.
Best of luck on your quest
There are sooooo many things you can do "involving creativity, people [social skills], and organizing things!" Most careers these days require strong use of each of those skills for one to excel. I would encourage you to look for something for which you have a passion and look for job descriptions that allow you to do that. If creating visual works of art turns you on, pursue art school. Other closely related options are design (graphic, fashion, industrial, landscape, and on and on and on), architecture, advertising. Others that aren't so obvious include human factors engineering, project management, sales, engineering, programming, journalism (yikes, I could go on and on). Look for what lights your fire because you'll spend a large fraction of your time doing it ... and because it is work (after all) you need to have a passion to allow you to cope with the aspects that aren't fun (politics, schedules, funding, etc.).
The best advice I could give is to not put barriers in front of yourself ... nearly any career is attainable if you have the determination!
The second best advice I could give is ... don't worry too much, if you don't make the right call on your first career, you'll have time for a second and third career, after all you'll likely have to work for 50 years.
Best of luck on your quest
Working with people can be combined with art and craft in many ways, so you could have the best of both worlds. I am not sure about the USA but for example in the UK there is a field called Occupational Therapy, where art and craft skills are used by therapists as part of the rehabilitation of victims of physical and mental injury/illness. Art therapy is also a field in it's own right now also.
I think you can find a combo that will give you what you want, just stay open-minded and cover the right bases in your education. I wish you every success.
I think you can find a combo that will give you what you want, just stay open-minded and cover the right bases in your education. I wish you every success.
Thank you all for the advice!
Cost is an issue for me, neither I, nor my family will ever be able to afford a directly art focused college.
I do plan on taking my first year or two of college in community college [I'm actually already working on freshman English and an elective].
But as for transferring... I'm wondering if it is "okay" in the art world to go to a state college.
& if it is, would it be better to get my BA or focus more on fine art... since I'm not too interested in graphic arts.
I think my main problem is that I'm so uninformed..
Ive done quite a bit of reasearch, but you dont seem to see a lot of people going to art school today.
My grandpa was an artist, and went to art school, but that was in the 60's...
And ive found that the art of today is nothing like it used to be.
Nearly everything is done on computer! Now, i love computers... but honestly, that's just not where my heart is.
Any other suggestions/comments/life experiences would be greatly appreciated.
Cost is an issue for me, neither I, nor my family will ever be able to afford a directly art focused college.
I do plan on taking my first year or two of college in community college [I'm actually already working on freshman English and an elective].
But as for transferring... I'm wondering if it is "okay" in the art world to go to a state college.
& if it is, would it be better to get my BA or focus more on fine art... since I'm not too interested in graphic arts.
I think my main problem is that I'm so uninformed..
Ive done quite a bit of reasearch, but you dont seem to see a lot of people going to art school today.
My grandpa was an artist, and went to art school, but that was in the 60's...
And ive found that the art of today is nothing like it used to be.
Nearly everything is done on computer! Now, i love computers... but honestly, that's just not where my heart is.
Any other suggestions/comments/life experiences would be greatly appreciated.
I agree with those on this post that say follow your heart - it will tell you what to do. You do have some time to make a decision and SortaSketchy is right, you have on average 50 years of work to change your mind if your first decision doesn't work out! 
So, with that in mind, the best advice I can give is WHATEVER YOU DO, make sure it is really what you want to do - not what someone else thinks you would be good at or "you would make a lot of money doing" (that's what I heard over and over during my college days-made the mistake of majoring in a subject that bored me to tears, flunked out three miserable years later).
If you decide to major in some sort of art curriculum, there is no wrong school. A state school is just as good as any - cause if you like what you're doing, you will be good at it and no one will care where you went. And, starting off at a community college is a good cost savings. I'm assuming from your location that Johnston Community College is where you will be starting. They have a very strong art and performing arts program, nationally recognized. When you get a chance, run over to the Performing Arts Center and make an appointment to see Ken Mitchell. He's a great guy and can give you some good advice too - although he will probably talk you into auditioning for a part in one of the plays.
So, with that in mind, the best advice I can give is WHATEVER YOU DO, make sure it is really what you want to do - not what someone else thinks you would be good at or "you would make a lot of money doing" (that's what I heard over and over during my college days-made the mistake of majoring in a subject that bored me to tears, flunked out three miserable years later).If you decide to major in some sort of art curriculum, there is no wrong school. A state school is just as good as any - cause if you like what you're doing, you will be good at it and no one will care where you went. And, starting off at a community college is a good cost savings. I'm assuming from your location that Johnston Community College is where you will be starting. They have a very strong art and performing arts program, nationally recognized. When you get a chance, run over to the Performing Arts Center and make an appointment to see Ken Mitchell. He's a great guy and can give you some good advice too - although he will probably talk you into auditioning for a part in one of the plays.
I would suggest following the advice of Marsha Sinetar ....
"Do What You Love and the Money Will Follow"
Amazon
Jim
"Do What You Love and the Money Will Follow"
Amazon
Jim
QUOTE (ncgirl @ Oct 22 2008, 11:38 AM) 
I agree with those on this post that say follow your heart - it will tell you what to do. You do have some time to make a decision and SortaSketchy is right, you have on average 50 years of work to change your mind if your first decision doesn't work out! So, with that in mind, the best advice I can give is WHATEVER YOU DO, make sure it is really what you want to do - not what someone else thinks you would be good at or "you would make a lot of money doing" (that's what I heard over and over during my college days-made the mistake of majoring in a subject that bored me to tears, flunked out three miserable years later).
If you decide to major in some sort of art curriculum, there is no wrong school. A state school is just as good as any - cause if you like what you're doing, you will be good at it and no one will care where you went. And, starting off at a community college is a good cost savings. I'm assuming from your location that Johnston Community College is where you will be starting. They have a very strong art and performing arts program, nationally recognized. When you get a chance, run over to the Performing Arts Center and make an appointment to see Ken Mitchell. He's a great guy and can give you some good advice too - although he will probably talk you into auditioning for a part in one of the plays.
So, with that in mind, the best advice I can give is WHATEVER YOU DO, make sure it is really what you want to do - not what someone else thinks you would be good at or "you would make a lot of money doing" (that's what I heard over and over during my college days-made the mistake of majoring in a subject that bored me to tears, flunked out three miserable years later).If you decide to major in some sort of art curriculum, there is no wrong school. A state school is just as good as any - cause if you like what you're doing, you will be good at it and no one will care where you went. And, starting off at a community college is a good cost savings. I'm assuming from your location that Johnston Community College is where you will be starting. They have a very strong art and performing arts program, nationally recognized. When you get a chance, run over to the Performing Arts Center and make an appointment to see Ken Mitchell. He's a great guy and can give you some good advice too - although he will probably talk you into auditioning for a part in one of the plays.
Thanks a lot!
I already attend JCC, i started this semester with freshman English and chorus. I chickened out of an art course for fear of work overload.
I will try to talk to Mr. Mitchell, ive been looking for somebody to advise me a little more than my advisor haha. & i dont mind about the plays thing, ive always been really involved in acting.
Im seriously considering NC state, considering the distance & cost factor, and the opportunity to get a great education.
Somehow, with LOTS of prayer and plenty of reasearch and searching my own heart, hopefully I'll find where i belong... at least that's the plan. =]
thanks again for the advice, its greatly appreciated!
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