#art, Thinking About Art School at Uni?

As a fine arts graduate myself, I think I can proffer a valid opinion. If you are thinking about enrolling in art school at uni, I would suggest that you think about it two or three times before committing.

Now I know that you are going to ask me why? And I will tell you. First, think about the fact that your professors…for the most part and as a general rule…will not be functioning, professional artists. They graduated and entered the ranks of the docents immediately. They never worked their art as a profession. They exhibited mainly in university galleries. They do not know how to sell their work. And let’s face it, the job of an artist is to sell art. So how can these professors, with only academic, theoretical experience teach you how to live off your art as a pro? The reply is short and sweet, they cannot.

Two, most of the docent staff follows the pied piper that leads them to whatever is the flavour of the month, or of the year. Most of the time they try to steer you towards what they have been taught to like. For example, when I was in art school they would talk to me about the great surrealist painter Joan Miró and the great Frida Kahlo. I, naturally, thought they were right and for a while I actually admire those two whom I now know they are the worst artists I can think of. Why did not they simply open my mind to great art and let me decide who I like or who is good? They do not because they were taught that way. They follow the piper and sing his melodies, nothing more.

Three, they make you waste too much time on things that you might not want or even like. The art field is quite large and the artists choose which path, or which modality they want to specialise in. So why do they have to be wasting time with others that are not going to serve them well. Yes, I know, you will say that an artist should have knowledge of everything to be well rounded. And I agree, but spending one year (first year) drawing with pencil a classical form when what you want to do is create abstract oil paintings, to me is a waste of time. Why not guide students according to what they prefer. If I want to be a pastel painter I should be taught all about that medium, composition and colour theory, rather than teaching me how to mix oil paints.

Conclusion? I would look for a private academy, maybe even start with an online one. And one that would allow me the freedom to choose and develop as the artist I want to be. I do not want my professors wasting my time, especially with bullshit like conceptual art…

CHEERS