Make Good Art.

I recently watched a wonderful video of Neil Gaiman’s commencement speech for The University of the Arts class of 2012, which you can view here. Gaiman discussed the hardships and benefits of pursuing a career in the arts, which as a student in the arts and liberal arts program at my college, I can definitely relate to. 

After my first year in college I met with an advisor to discuss the classes I had taken up to that point and the direction I was headed in for pursuing a degree. My interests have always been all over the map, but one thing I’ve known is that despite my indecisiveness to choose a major I’ve always known I wanted a degree in an arts major. However, when I met with my advisor he seemed less than willing to help me with that. He tried to persuade me that if I wasn’t interested in a  business or medical major, I wouldn’t be able to find a job or make a decent living. After assuring him that whatever he said wasn’t going to change my mind, he reluctantly reviewed the arts and liberal arts majors with me.

It’s disappointing but the reaction my advisor gave me to wanting a career in the arts is rather common. It’s a shame that arts profession are looked down upon in the way that they are. I understand that a career in the arts may not be as stable as a lawyer, doctor, or accountant, but that doesn’t make it any less fulfilling. An arts degree prepares a person to be critical, creative, and understanding in a way that no other degree really can. Whether you’re painting, writing, designing, dancing, whatever, an arts degree can prepare you not only for a career but life. 

Although, I haven’t yet had the opportunity to really prove to my advisor that a degree in the arts can result in a successful life, considering I’m still in the progress of obtaining my degree - I like to believe that one day I’ll be able to. I think that if you major in art or anything for that matter, as long as It’s something that makes you happy then you’ll be successful and live a full life.