Helpful Suggestions/Strategy for Newly Minted Fine Arts Graduate

Parents Forum
1

<p>Well, I've browsed the internship/employment forum and the visual arts forum but I'm not finding much (really any) information on how new graduates in the Fine Arts field are doing finding jobs and/or internships. I found the parent forum very helpful during the college search for my son last year. I apologize for the length of the post in advance. </p>

<p>I will have a newly minted August graduate. She originally thought she would not graduate until December, hence the reason we are not really prepared. The advising in her program, heck actually the whole university, is very poor. She has followed her degree plan to the letter, the thing is, everytime she went to get advised, they modified the degree plan. Part of the problem was that her major had to go through 2 schools, both the School of Fine Arts and the Education School, which necessitated approval from 2 deans. However upon her last visit, and on this one I went along, just to make sure the December graduation would happen, (as she took a full summer 1 & 2 load one year, to try and graduate in May, which then still did not count). So she scheduled an appointment with the dean, I went along and upon review, turned out she could have graduated in May. They apologized profusely, but of course it was too late. She had to file for August graduation. She just got the call yesterday, saying her final degree plan had been approved and signed by everyone except her, so she's making a trip down there tomorrow. </p>

<p>So of course, not knowing for sure, meant most of this summer was a waste when looking for jobs and/or internships as she had no way of knowing if she'd be back at school or not, so we're starting behind as it is. Her degree is a BFA in Printmaking - Education, which is essentially a double major in printmaking and all-level education. She took and passed the TEeXS EC-12 exam which is the content exam for art education in Texas. </p>

<p>She wants to teach or work with children and art, though not in the public school system. She has a decent resume with some relevant experience in that area, plus summer work experience w/children (though not in the art area) work study experience in the business office for several years. She was a finalist in a content related undergrad research symposium, had volunteer work and leadership tied to what she wants to do, a decent GPA, (graduating through the School of Honors). She'll have good references if those are needed. Her resume has been tweaked and re-tweaked by the HR department of my brother's company. That said, I well aware she doesn't have awesome credentials, I'd place her in the top 30%. She will interview well, so that's a plus. </p>

<p>Art is a hard field to break into even in the best of times, and now is not the best of times. She wants to end up in Houston. She may be interested in grad school in another year or two, so she's not necessarily looking for a career at this point, just the experience. 5 years ago, when she was looking at colleges, many parents at her private HS, asked me how I could allow her to study art, after I had paid private school tuition for 13 years. (Our hs turns out tons of business, pre-med, pre-law, a history or English major or two, but few arty types. (Yet we have an awesome, awarding winning art program, but it's viewed by the parents as a hobby, not a vocation. My son's graduating class this year probably has the most students venturing into unconventional majors in the whole history of the school). I knew going into this, that she was probably not going to be completely self-supporting right away when she got out and with this economy, it's not going to be any easier. I have told her, if she gets a part-time job or two, or a part-time job and unpaid internship, or a low-paying job and selling artwork at shows on the side, I will be willing to help out at least for awhile. (I want to see her go on to grad school, but right now she's not up for that, so I'd like her to consider things that would look good on a grad school app, not just to pay the bills, even if it means I have to help out. </p>

<p>The US head at her old HS, told her to send him her resume and he would send it on to other members of the school's association. He would recommend her, no problem. Of course most schools have hired all the teachers they need for fall, she might can substitute some. It's probably a little late for fall/winter internships, though maybe not. Which is pretty much leaving part-time work in an art related field, leaving her a chance to explore other options, participate in some shows, that type of stuff. </p>

<p>Any thoughts on what industries might have opportunities in an art related field for a new grad? She's looking into some after-school art programs, but again, much of the education art field related work is going to be already filled. </p>

<p>Anybody have any graduates that have found work in the fine arts? Any suggestions on where to look, or a good strategy? Art can be really different at times, so things that work for other fields might not work as well. She tells me she's well aware of how screwed up the economy is know, it's really depressing, so what she needs is a positive attitude, to hear some success stories and any good practical helpful suggestions about things to try. </p>

<p>Thanks in advance.</p>

2

<p>Congrats to your daughter for finishing up her degree.</p>

<p>Exposure is one of the most important areas for an artist.</p>

<p>Suggest she get a webpage together and a facebook page for her artwork.Then she can print up some business cards to hand out to people.</p>

<p>My artist kid got a job in a coffeeshop and draws the boards for advertisements of the latest offerings. Hundreds of people a day end up stareing at this work. Has picked up lots of freelance work through this exposure. Is now employed p/t with one of the companies doing all sorts of art related work and expected to go full time with health benefits soon. Has also been offered a job teaching kids at the local arts school. No interest here though.</p>

<p>All the above work brings in much needed money as artisit kid has formed own company and has created an awesome website with merchandising.</p>

<p>It’s all about hard work and never giving up.</p>

<p>Good luck!!!</p>

3

<p>To get exposure and her name around she should offer to be a docent at art museums, especially ones that have school programs. It might not pay but it will be resume building and give her something productive to do with her time and might lead to paid work. She might be able to work at art programs that run after-school sessions, they often don’t hire until closer to the start of their programs.</p>

<p>These aren’t necessarily career goals but they certainly can start her going and perhaps give her some ideas as to what she might want to do as a career because I didn’t see any ideas she might have based on your posting. Good luck!</p>

4

<p>Cross-posted with amtc, above!</p>

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<p>The following brainstorm is to tickle some new ideas that you and your daughter may not have already considered. Some are paying, others volunteer. If she finds no pay offered, I still think the experiences, even a day/evening/weekend while doing other things for pay – is worthwhile. Her goal is not to find a job as much as to allow someone to let her work under their roof. These can be thought-provoking, deep and someday noteworthy on a grad school application:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>MUSEUM EDUCATION, entry staff work. My first job out of college with an Art History major was a desk job with the Curator of Education at a small art museum in a major city. They wanted to call me secretary, but I had them to change the name to Administrative Assistant for same pay. There was a lot of scheduling of tours with public school teachers, all administrative/phone work. Also support for meetings/events for the museum’s volunteer docents, who do specialized gallery talks for visiting groups or the general public. Things began to develop for me, as I demonstrated some skill conducting those tour groups with demographics the docents found worrisome, specifically: schools from high-risk/disturbed populations. After a while, I’d see those coming into scheduling, pick them off and do them myself. Everyone was relieved. FInally, though, I concluded that museum work didn’t pay enough to support myself independently, in those days. So I left after a year. The experience away from the scheduling desk was quite interesting. </p></li>
<li><p>MUSEUM EDUCATION, volunteer hours. Find out if area art museums are starting up their docent training program. It’s unusual for them to hear from young people who want to volunteer. The problem may be that they assume full retirement hours, and schedule training sessions during the daytime when she’ll want to have other (paying) options available. But maybe there’s a way to get around the scheduling dilemma. </p></li>
<li><p>CRAFTS PREP, REGULAR PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Call school principals now to see if there’s work in their building as a teacher’s aide, specifically for the school’s art teacher OR the special education programs. Art work in schools is very labor-intensive, especially at younger grades. There’s much cutting and preparing of craft lessons that teachers find tedious and do at home for many hours to make the day sessions work. Some teachers delegate this craft-prep work to parents, but parents are getting busier and busier these days. If your daughter could be the “go-to” person for the school for all art/craft prep work, left in advance, a principal might like this idea and let her either volunteer or get her a teacher’s aide position just to do that work once weekly. Watch out only that the teacher’s aide work doesn’t preclude her from also working as a per diem school substitute, which pays better.</p></li>
<li><p>CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. Within every school district are programs for children with special needs, either mainstreamed or in separate learning environments. Find THOSE teachers, or their district-wide supervisor, and propose the idea to them of helping them with the art elements of their work. </p></li>
<li><p>HOSPITAL, especially children’s hospitals - talk to the Occupational Therapy Department to see if they need a set of paid (hopefully) or volunteer hands. </p></li>
<li><p>NURSING HOME, Senior Center, Continuous-Care Campus with Active Independent Living Units… same idea as #5 but with senior populations. Teaching is teaching. Even if not working with children, if she can conduct or assist in just the art-related activities, she might like the work somewhat. Once she gets past looking at all the wrinkles, she’ll soon discover that seniors still express their inner child. They engage in art work with the same range of personalities as children exhibit; some cranky, some wonderful. Teachers understand the concept that “all teaching is teaching.” The difference is, while young adults are ardently desirous of working with children, there are fewer trying to gain entry to work with seniors. It’s worth a thought. Contact the Programs Administrator. Look especially for a continuous-care campus, where some seniors live in independent units, assisted living, and then finally in nursing homes. There’s quite a range of people there.</p></li>
<li><p>REGIONAL/COMMUNITY THEATER, Set Design assistant, costumes, props management…if she comes home to live, help her gain access to other creative people working (all without pay) on local show productions. Typically, these span a two-month rehearsal period. Don’t expect a penny from this arena, but it’s important to her spirit to pal with other people who understand the creative process, no matter what else she’s doing.</p></li>
</ol>

5

<p>Could she start a private studio teaching kids? I know the music kids take on beginners and start their own teaching studios. Maybe in a good school district that has cut out a lot of the arts due to testing. Check private schools, too. They do not have the same certification requirements. There was someone in the kids nursery school that am around once a week and did more art work with them. Time to be an entrepreneur.</p>

6

<p>Our PTA runs afterschool classes for kids and they often hire local artists to teach a class.</p>

7

<p>I graduated in May with a BA in Visual Arts and Art History, and I’ll tell you it’s tough out there, not just for art majors but for everyone of my age. There are simply very few jobs right now, especially those that are full-time, with benefits, and pay enough to live even meagerly on. Coffee shop work is what many I know are doing, but inevitably in most places it does not pay rent and student loans.</p>

<p>If your daughter is in a position to work either freelance or in an internship, I would highly suggest that she apply to a museum and work with the education department, either as a teaching artist or as an intern in the education department doing more administrative work. Unfortunately, the only people I know who are getting jobs now seem to have three or four internships under their belt. I also have one friend who graduated with a combined BA/MA in art education and was for a while substitute teaching. None of these things pay much, but they are great for building a resume, and will help build your daughter’s chances for a higher paying job.</p>

<p>And, above all, GOOD LUCK. I’m having a really hard time right now, as is everyone I know! Just make sure your daughter knows she is not alone in this, despite the sticky graduation issues.</p>

8

<p>I assume theres a substantial homeschooling community down there. At least where we are, the homeschoolers are a significant market for all kinds of enrichment programs. Find the websites/message boards they use, and offer some kind of activity, class, one shot program, whatever. </p>

<p>that could be done during the day, and could combine with an after school program aimed at public school kids.</p>

9

<p>Our community has a couple of afterschool arts-oriented programs and they routinely employ local artists to teach classes. She would need to be available in the late afternoon/early evenings, however. </p>

<p>There are free newspapers for parents in the area which often have listings of classes as well as want ads that might inspire some entrepreneurial ideas.</p>

<p>Along the lines of the homeschool class idea, how about contacting religious organizations that might want to incorporate some sort of arts component into their curriculum, perhaps as a special workshop?</p>