<p>Realistically speaking, my chances of succeeding in an art career are slim, however that is what I love to do! I'm thinking maybe going to college first, getting a degree and pleasing my parents, and after graduation attend an art college. I know art colleges are expensive, however I've found an "academy" which I'd love to attend and is considerably cheaper than any other college. Do you think this is a good idea? </p>
<p>All knowledge and experience gained from the art college would probably be used for my personal enrichment and pleasing. I could try and sell a few of my paintings on the side, but I'm planning on having a stable full-time job.</p>
<p>Why not get a major in a field that is interesting with a job that is enjoyable that may or may not incorporate art as a part of it? You could take some art courses in your college coursework and perhaps even double-major or minor in art. </p>
<p>We know a young man who majored in something his parents approved at a U they approved. He then went & got a 2nd degree in graphic art at an art school. He got a job working for the company that makes Tetris. Many folks we know with art training have to earn a living in another field, often teaching, marketing, PR or sometmes cinema. </p>
<p>Most Us do have art departments with varying offerings. Some even allow students to take the classes pass/fail or just experiment at their labs or do art on campus in a club. Explore & experiment. You might be pleasantly surprised by art offerings at the university that can be combined with getting your college degree.</p>
<p>Nothing wrong with your plan. Depending on what major you are thinking of for your 1st degree, you might consider colleges like Cooper Union or St. Johns (Annapolis, MD and/or Santa Fe, NM) and perhaps combine your two colleges into one.</p>
<p>Planning a double college education sounds exhausting. It also seems like it will be a long and expensive road. Have you considered any other options? There are other ways to think about this.</p>
<p>One idea is to get a technical education with a degree that will get you a decent job immediately. There are a bunch of schools that have what amounts to an an associates in science that will train you to get a skilled job after graduation. It will just take some time to look around and find what job you would like to do. Some of these programs require a basic 2 year degree, such an an AA and then will add their specialized classes to that. </p>
<p>The AA can go toward a wide variety of different degrees later on if you decide to go to art school later. There are positions such as ultrasound technology for one that can pay very well and even end up being part time hours that will allow for classes on the side.</p>
<p>Your parents are probably more concerned with you being able to gain employment more than anything else and a technical type of degree could be the best idea.</p>
<p>Have you considered a double major? Or even a minor in fine art with a major in your future field? It seems like going to one college and then finishing only to then go to another is a lot of work ahead of you. Some that might be simply unnecessary.</p>
<p>Without a doubt you will have the choice of electives and classes where art can be switched out for others. Maybe art history classes as opposed to world history or something such as that. There are probably many choices that you don’t even realize are available.</p>
<p>There is also the choice of taking extra classes. Although scholarships may not pay for classes that are out of your major or are not required, they are still an option. There is no reason why you can’t move ahead in learning about your chosen field and take many art classes along the way. this way you will be making your parents happy by moving toward something steady and making yourself happy by satisfying your desire to learn about art.</p>
<p>An art degree will not mean that you can make a living through art. It won’t mean that you are a good artist either. By taking a great variety of art classes though you will gain the skills that will allow you to express yourself successfully.</p>
<p>Studying art is something that you can do while working a regular job. One good idea would be to finish school with a major that you feel would get you a job that you will like and be fully capable of. After that there is no reason why you can’t study art as well. There is no reason to actually go to an art college full time though. Taking classes on a part time basis is something that most schools will allow.</p>
<p>One of the tough things about being an artist is without a doubt making a living. The problem that can come from selling your art to live is that you might be forced or even encouraged to change the way that you create in order to survive.</p>
<p>Being an artist means being creative about what you produce. It means to be true to what you feel about what you are creating. Changing that to make a living is not a fun way to be an artist. Depending on another, regular job, will allow you the chance to really fulfill yourself as an artist.</p>