<p>There's not much movement on the art major board and I didn't see any posts relating to the arts on the job and internship board, so thought I'd seek some input here. Was wondering if any parents w/May BFA grads are employed in the art area (even if not in their exact field). Daughter will be an August graduate and since she didn't know for sure until 2 weeks ago the paperwork would be done in time (long story) she hasn't started the job hunt. </p>
<p>News headlines paint a very depressing picture for new college grad employment, and the arts are an iffy job prospect in good times. But daughter requested no negative or discouraging comments, only positive support. While I'm not a negative person so to speak, I am a very much plan for the what if? scenario. She does not think that way, she is not interested in trying to come up with a plan for if the job search fails, because she says she believes in assuming it's not going to be a problem. (as you can see we have two completely different approaches here). </p>
<p>It would be helpful to me to hear from some parents whose art major grads had luck in the search (or alternately didn't have luck so maybe I can do some behind the scenes groundwork, just in case). We're in Texas, where she wants to stay, however she wants a big town, Houston is her first choice, followed by San Antonio or Austin w/Dallas being her last choice. We did get some very helpful ideas about different places to look that we will be utilizing from an earlier post on the art board. </p>
<p>My S graduated with his BFA this spring. His emphasis was graphic design. He is working for a small graphic design firm as a graphic designer but not making a livable wage. Due to being a BFA his program was heavy on the arts but not strong in web design and did not include any marketing. He found lack of strong knowledge in web design to be a hindrance in the job search. He isn’t making much money but he is getting experience in a lot of areas including web design which should help him down the line.
A friend graduated with her BFA a couple of years ago and just completed her Masters and got her teaching credential for teaching art this spring. She was hoping to get a job at the HS teaching AP Studio Art and Drawing and Painting. She did not get the job she thought she was getting but did get a job as an elementary school art teacher. The job is full time and includes benefits. She is thrilled to have a job teaching the arts in this economy.
Another BFA we know has been successful selling her art online. Another is working at Restoration Hardware as a sales person.
For graphic design have her look joining AIGA. They list jobs and internships on their website.</p>
<p>My intern graduated this May with a decent portfolio and an internship under her belt and just landed a job a few weeks ago with a small ad agency (graphic designer).</p>
<p>To me, a livable wage is one that allows the person to pay rent, buy food, pay for health insurance, utilities, transportation, etc. An unlivable wage means that the recent grad is living at home!</p>
<p>How much that come to in a mid size US city? $800-900/month after taxes, or about $15k/year? That’s $7.50/hour, or basically slightly above the minimum wage. Does that tally with the actual numbers people are seeing in the field?</p>
<p>Well I don’t know if our city is considered a mid size US city (a little over 100,000) but $800-900 a month after taxes is not a liveable wage here. 1 bedroom apartments, and not the fancy, high rent district ones, start at about $475 a month, public transportation is almost non-existent in Texas cities, hence the need for a car and all the assorted expenses that go along with that. Rent and transportation costs (gas and insurance, not even counting maintenance and a car payment)around here would eat up nearly every dime of that $800.00. And if you’re not lucky enough to land a job with health insurance, a single person in their 20’s is looking at $80.00 to $100.00 a month for health insurance. I’d say closer to $1200 a month take home and that would not allow for any luxuries. In Texas, at least, I don’t believe it’s possible for a single person to live on a full-time minimum wage job, maybe it is in other places.</p>
<p>OK, so we are talking about $1,200/month after taxes, which is about $18k/year before taxes, or $9/hour, somewhat more than minimum wage. FA graduates are not even getting jobs that pay $9/hour!?</p>
<p>Obviously it depends on the location. We were talking about this last year before our oldest graduated and in our area a person would need a minimum of $1000 a month after taxes to live a modest independent life (eg no car payments, student loans). $20,000 a year would do it and still be able to put a few percent into a 401K. But a one bedroom starter apartment costs around $450 - $500 a month around here. If the kid didn’t have a paid off car they would need a roommate. I’m seeing starting wages for recent college graduates more around the $30,000 mark plus or minus a couple thousands which trends nationally so yes, a fine arts grad, getting an entry level graphic design position in our area could live on their own. That won’t work in NYC where a studio apartment would be more like $1000 - $1500 a month (as reported by our friends who have a college D in NYC. That said, that D is earning more more like a starting salary of $40,000 a year, has a roommate and is taking public transportation.</p>
<p>It’s a “given” that a recent college grad doesn’t need luxuries.</p>
<p>Salaries across the board have been affected by our current economy. For eg, both my s’s are STEM (engineering) kids. When older one did summer internships about 4-5 years ago he earned about twice per hour what younger s made this summer. It isn’t just the FA majors getting affected by salary cuts.</p>
<p>Not our experience with accounting. My d’s internship paid very, VERY well, and the job she has been afforded is 10% more than it would have been the previous year.</p>
<p>In NYC and DC new grads, including ones with pretty good salaries, routinely live with roommates. A living wage in those cities would mean one that could pay for a reasonable share (two in a 2 br, or 3 in a 3br) in a decent neighborhood.</p>
<p>Of course in a mid sized city living with roommates might not be as socially acceptable, and it might be harder to find college grad roommates.</p>
<p>Add Boston & parts of CA to that list, Brooklyn…dad. Even a few years ago, we couldn’t find studios for less than $1200, and 1400-1500 was the norm. </p>
<p>My friend’s son moved from Boston area to Tallahassee, FL. He could find a 1-bedroom for $600, but at $800, he has a terrific place with parking and amenities. </p>
<p>Ideally, I think rent should be no more than 25-33% of salary, if health insurance included in salary. Living in grad dorm, I think the worm still pays 50% of stipend.</p>
<p>IndianParent- I don’t think people are saying FA grads are making a living wage without a problem. It depends where you live. My S is bringing home about 900 after taxes, some months slightly more. In most areas of Ca that would not be a living wage.</p>