Les Crimp on sun 4 jan 98
Somewhat in line with the Art v.s. Craft string, I was having a discussion
with a small group of potters from around here. One of the things that
came from the talk was what graduating students take away from school to
help them survive "out there".
One of our group was quite adamant that a number of schools may be
teaching"ART" and telling the classes that they can make it in the world,
but are not giving any advice on "REALITY". How do you start a business,
keep it going and earn a good living ???
Is it true that you can not live on "ART" or "LOVE" ?????
Les in Nanoose Bay, B.C.
Melanie Williamson on tue 6 jan 98
Hi Les,
I'm not qualified to talk about any school except the one that I
attend, so this is just personal experience talking. At the University
of Central Arkansas students in the BA & BFA programs both have to take
a series of classes that teach us how to do just that. They are listed
as portfolio classes, but in them we learn MUCH more than just how to
prepare our portfolio. We learn about studio safety, (OSHA, etc.)
marketing ideas, jobs in the art field, (for money to support us on this
quest to being artists) and many other important things.
The BA program requires 3 portfolio classes and BFA program
requires 4 portfolio classes with the addition of a professional
orientation class, and an internship which REALLY teaches you what it's
like in the real world. (This is the step that I am at right
now--trying to line up an internship for this semester.)
As to your other question, "Is it true that you can not live on
"ART" or "LOVE" ?" I can't answer unequivocally, BUT I do know that
is almost impossible to live without them!
Hope your day is happy and full of beautiful clay things!
Melanie Williamson
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MGibb21521 on tue 6 jan 98
Les
I think there deffinately is some truth to the statement you refer to, can you
not live on art (or love)
You can't live on anything that you don't nuture, observe, refine, and meet
the demands of thoses who you expect to assist you in "living". This most
certainly includes making a living doing art. I teach at a "design" school,
one of the biggest problems that I see is students thinking that their talents
alone will make them rich - even comfortable is a mistake in this thought
process. Unless you understand how to "sell" yourself, your work, your
"product" you will end up with a house full of stuff!!
I constantly feel very lucky that I happen to be an artist with 15 + years of
retail background. Even though what I sold for 15 years was clothing, it gave
me a very real understanding of how consumers act and react. How to
"advertise", sell, and educate about a "product". I try at every opportunity
to pass this important element of "making it" on to my students, some of them
hear me, some of them don't.
IMHO, I stongly feel that anyone who desires to sell, NEEDS to understand how
to market, even if you are one of those lucky people who generate enough
income to pay someone else to market for you, you need to know enough to
understand if they are doing their job well.
So much for my 2 cents!!
Marie Gibbons
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