To be an artist: 10 things that art teachers are silent about
What you need to know the future artist: can I make a living with creativity? The answer to this question is more complicated than you think.
There are many misconceptions about the art world. Ask someone to describe what it means to be an artist, and they are likely to paint a picture of one of two extremes. There is no middle ground, no stability, no security: there are just those who do it and those who do not.
The quintessential artist-loser: dedicated, talented, but tragically underestimated. Unfortunately, his work gains value only after his death.
The other extreme is the celebrity artist. Conceptualists, YBA (Young British Artists), Damien Hirst are cunning characters who can sell anything even disguising biological waste as art.
The creative field is a huge game that only reckless people or masochists dare to do. But if you study art, you need to know if the expression “pan or disappeared” has any relation to reality. After all, all these stereotypes prevent us from understanding what to expect from a career in art. So let’s try to dispel some myths.
Here are 10 honest truths about the artist’s work, life and leisure:
1. Many freelance artists. A study by the Arts Council of England found that more than 40% of artists are self-employed. Temporary contracts can make a career interesting and diverse, although unemployment periods are a reality for some artists.
2. Freelance artists should plan their budget carefully. Being self-employed means that you do not receive a pension, vacation pay or maternity allowance. Unforeseen circumstances, such as illness or childbirth, require preventive financial planning.
3. Artists are engaged in self-promotion. Many show their talents on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Linked in, as well as on their personal sites. Having a good online presence shows employers your self-motivation and digital literacy.
4. Artists love communication. Search for events in the network is the equivalent of finding a job for the art world, but with less suffering and more drinking. Regardless of whether you are looking for work to order or trying to advance your career, network communications give you the opportunity to meet with industry professionals and discover new opportunities.
5. Many artists form creative teams. Kate Rowland, an illustrator from the After School Club team, explains: “Being in the After School Club is great for motivation, which allows us to use each other’s skills, so we have more resources to help each other. This is a kind of creative support and a lot of fun. ”
6. It’s all about your portfolio. Visual art is less focused on evaluation than other disciplines. This does not mean that you should not strive for high scores in training. However, you better focus on making a great portfolio. The amount of work speaks more about you than assessments.
7. Some artists complement their income with a second job. This gives them financial security, while they carry out their creative ideas.
8. Many artists participate in internships to begin their careers. Working at a company can help you gain the necessary industry skills and improve your employability.
9. The number of offers is growing. The number of people employed in the creative industry is constantly increasing.
10. The creative sector is characterized by a high level of job satisfaction. As a result, the industry is highly competitive, and the artist’s profession is in demand. If you have the passion and motivation to stay ahead of the game, then a creative career can be an exciting and rewarding experience.
