Current Events > What can you really do with a Fine Arts major? Why does it even exist?

(+) Yeah! (+)

I always that it was the "fall back" flex major for those that come from an aristocratic family. It makes sense if your family is already a billionaire. I can imagine looking back at the course work and being like "Ohhh that painting we just bought for 1 million has an accelerated perspective. It's hue and saturation doesn't align with the artist's true intention blah blah."

Otherwise what can you really do with it? Art schools are already ridiculously expensive. Without a good job prospect, it's just money being burned for the sake of being able to tell people you have a degree.

You know that job prospects arent the only reason to study something, right?

You can be a pastor with that

Glob posted...

You know that job prospects arent the only reason to study something, right?

If you have that luxury... Otherwise what are you going to do when you're 100k in debt from art school and you're only making $15.50 bagging groceries?

I got a music degree, both Bachelors and Masters, and now I am about to start a $120k/yr job doing nothing but playing in an orchestra for 25 hours a week

obviously fine art doesnt exactly have auditions like orchestras do - though there are plenty of real jobs out there for visual artists - but it is still possible to find a career in it even though its not a straightforward path. as grateful as i am to have this job, the benefits from my arts degree have nothing to do with my job prospects and everything to do with my ability to think about, enjoy, and navigate the world.

Iamdepressed posted...

If you have that luxury... Otherwise what are you going to do when you're 100k in debt from art school and you're only making $15.50 bagging groceries?

It seems you understand that some people cannot afford to and others can.

What is your issue again?

Nothing. BFA and MFA degrees are mostly scams.

Portfolios and skills are what truly ever mattered but even that aspect is rigged against artists who were wise enough to not spend tens of thousands of dollars for art and design school.

KyerWiz posted...

It seems you understand that some people cannot afford to and others can.

What is your issue again?

Exactly this.

I used it to become a graphic designer which I've been doing for nearly 20 years now

sounds more useful than a gender studies major

KyerWiz posted...

It seems you understand that some people cannot afford to and others can.

What is your issue again?

I think TC was asking why those who can't afford post-school student payments get Fine Arts degrees.

Practically speaking its an utterly pointless major, like most art majors, but the goal of college doesnt have to be employment, so if someone wants to study fine art, I dont see what the problem is.

Dudes will literally disparage art for not being a necessity on a video game website

AloneIBreak posted...

Practically speaking its an utterly pointless major, like most art majors, but the goal of college doesnt have to be employment, so if someone wants to study fine art, I dont see what the problem is.

I am a big believer in the fundamental purpose of college being a place to learn, but with the way tuition has risen, isn't the government screwing over her young 18-21-year-olds that can't really afford such a degree, but are a little more influenced to do impractical things that they can't fully comprehend the long-term effects of doing such a thing?

If College were free, which it should be, we wouldn't be having this discussion. Isn't that something?

PiOverlord posted...

I think TC was asking why those who can't afford post-school student payments get Fine Arts degrees.

exactly this. Thank you.

Iamdepressed posted...

If you have that luxury... Otherwise what are you going to do when you're 100k in debt from art school and you're only making $15.50 bagging groceries?

Throw a couple of lines on a blank canvas and sell it for $100k, easy peasy

Turtlemayor333 posted...

Dudes will literally disparage art for not being a necessity on a video game website

And when you point it out they'll ignore it or attack you

If it's not STEM it's not real
-people who have no STEM knowledge outside of what Elon Musk pushes

Turtlemayor333 posted...

Dudes will literally disparage art for not being a necessity on a video game website

Well no, he's disparaging Art degrees. I don't think he ever gave his opinion of art one way or another.

A talented artist could make art for a video game regardless of whether they have a degree.

There are a lot, and I mean A LOT, of jobs out there that just require an degree. Doesn't even matter what the degree is in, just that you have one.

SO many sales, compliance, quality assurance, etc. jobs just want you to have that paper.

So you may as well have your focus be in something you enjoy.