<p>Hi guys,</p>
<pre><code> I'm a Studio art major (cons. Painting) contemplating where I'm heading next. I'm thinking about some of the typical paths - advertising, auction houses, art therapy etc....
However - I'm wondering - what else is out there? I definitely have ideas, but am curious if anyone has thought of a creative way to use this fabulous major! I'm really excited about the real world, but obviously have heard some pretty scary things about the economy and like...
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<p>Thank you in advance :)</p>
<p>become a teacher. pay bills</p>
<p>My daughter plans to be the next Simone Legno, creating a multinational brand that includes toys, art, clothes, and accessories. She's interested in entreprenurial art and design, not studio art. She's also considering being an illustrator with a signature character.</p>
<p>Fashion photographer! ;)</p>
<p>After college? Eesh I'm way more concerned with getting THROUGH college ;)</p>
<p>All joking aside, I plan to work part-time as a teacher and do freelance work. If I'm not too burnt out, I want to go straight to a masters program.</p>
<p>Teacher will require licensure, about another years worth of educational theories courses. At least for public school teaching. Although with a painting degree you'd be much better trained than most PS art teachers, who are often education majors with an art minor (if that). </p>
<p>College teaching is usually terminal degree territory, and very competitive. Many work as adjuncts. On MA,MFA be careful because the cost of these degrees is often well above the potential employability. And don't believe the recruiters nonsense about a collegiate teaching job just waiting for you to graduate. These jobs are scarce and very hard to get without experience. In many regards the main value of an MFA/MA is that it gives experience in manipulation of systems. If someone's gone to a good school for a bach they should already be functional in their media(s) and basic art history. It could be argued that the money spent for a grad degree could be better applied to starting an arts oriented business or keeping resources around until ones reputation is established. And good gods no, do not borrow extensively for a grad arts degree-those days are ending with very good reason. </p>
<p>Good places to apply an art degree are at art centers as support staff or assistant curators and enrichment instructors. Some charters and private schools do not necessarily require the teachers certification. Gallery work, and using your design and art skills to sell textiles, custom signs, and etc. One group out on the east coast actually started a comic wrestling foundation (art and theatre people) which is doing quite well. Even such as limnering is a possibility (painting custom designs on wood furniture. </p>
<p>Above all flexibility will be the asset to have. The arts have always been a tough career, but in our current economic debacle it will be more so. If an opportunity arises, take it although it may not be specifically within your track.</p>