“Part of what made the Macintosh great was that the people working on it were musicians, poets, and artists, and zoologists, and historians. They also happened to be the best computer scientists in the world.
But if it hadn't been computer science, these people would have been doing amazing things in other fields.”- Steve Jobs, Founder and Chairman, Apple Inc.
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.”- Pablo Picasso, Spanish painter and sculptor.
Understanding Fine Arts
All forms of visual presentations for aesthetic and appreciative purpose are deemed as Fine Arts. Sculpting, painting, drawing, playing a musical instrument and singing, performing, writing poetry and architecture were broadly classified as Fine Arts since ancient days.
Writing, still and video photography, dance and choreography, advertising and fashion designing are included as Fine Arts in modern times.
People who study courses offered at colleges and universities that train students in any of these skills are Fine Arts graduates.
Making the difference count
Students enrolling for Fine Arts courses are formed of a different mettle. They wish to perfect their hobby or inborn skill to develop a career.
People pursue Fine Arts for purposes other than pecuniary gains. They do so to achieve a sense of accomplishment or dedicate themselves to a cause, regardless of whether the job pays richly or poorly.
Sailing through the doldrums
Sadly, Fine Arts features on top of the list of worst graduation degrees. Fine Arts graduates draw relatively lower salaries, are entitled to fewer perks, have little scope for a promotion and scant employment opportunities.
Unemployment rates among bachelors in Fine Arts range between eight and 12 percent. A Fine Arts degree is looked upon with some disdain by lay persons: they associate it with dreamers and fantasizers or even laggards.
These facts are sufficient to deter anyone hoping to study for a Fine Arts degree.
….but here’s why YOU should study Fine Arts
Regardless of the brouhaha, you can make a successful career in Fine Arts. The reason is simple: Thanks to all the adverse limelight, few students enroll for a Fine Arts course.
The cascade effect is, fewer persons qualified in various Fine Arts are available for employment. This includes sculptors, painters, musicians and singers, writers of all sorts, photographers and videographers, dancers and choreographers, fashion designers and advertising specialists, to name a few.
A look at professions where Fine Arts graduates are employed
Sculptors and painters: Required by museums, archeological societies, culture and heritage related organizations and governments. Sculptors and painters help restore ancient artefacts and monuments that are denuded over centuries.
Musicians and singers: Are in great demand in all entertainment industries. Renowned orchestras and theatres look for Fine Arts graduates skillful in playing specific musical instruments and vocalists either to play solo or accompany a performing star.
Writers: The Internet boom has vastly benefitted the news and entertainment media. Writers are employed as journalists, bloggers, copywriters at advertising firms, visualizers, concept and script writers for ads and movies and editors.Fine Arts graduates can make successful careers by becoming a writer.
Photographers and videographers: “Seeing is believing” is what media is all about. No news coverage, blog, ad, movie is complete without photos and videos.
And almost every industry requires excellent pictures and videos. Those with photo and video editing skills can go for career as professional photographers. Poets are required to compose songs for bands.
Fashion designers: Needless to say, fashion designers passed fashion designing courses will remain in demand till the end of humanity. All renowned fashion houses require designers to keep the brand active and attractive.
Dancers and choreographers: Required across all segments of entertainment and advertising industries. Making people dance to a tune, literally, is a vaunted skill worldwide.
Employee to entrepreneur shift
Sheer interest in arts propels students to take a Fine Arts degree. Unlike other professions, Fine Arts graduates actually get paid to pursue their hobbies.
You retain the flexibility to work for someone or launch your own business as a Fine Arts graduate. You are not required to learn complex technologies to remain in employment or business.
Time proofing your income
Fine Arts are timeless. A violin is a violin regardless of when or where it was made. A musician or singer, sculptor or painter, writer or photographer, fashion designer or choreographer is never outdated or short of creativity.
Modern gadgets may appear but you set of skills remains intact. This affords you a great degree of time proofing for your chosen profession or business in Fine Arts- meaning you are assured of employment regardless of era and age.
Development in all dimensions
All Fine Arts students experience unseen personality development. You will witness physical, mental and spiritual progress while learning Fine Arts.
Fine Arts students are dedicated about what they learn since it concerns something close to heart.
Physical progress: Before and after graduation, your physical activity will surge, resulting in fitness. Such work includes long hours at restoring a painting or statue, playing instrument, singing or designing some haute couture wear.
Mental progress: Intense dedication and zest to attain perfection plays wonders for the mind. Bachelors in Fine Arts are passionate about what they do. You will develop qualities including patience, dedication, appreciation for others and courage to display your art as graduate.
Spiritual progress: This is not related to any faith, religion or some esoteric divine power. Spiritual progress of Fine Arts students occurs when they learn to appreciate beauty and aesthetics. You will achieve such progress while creating and expressing your emotions through art.
The informal university of the world
Myriad and plentiful opportunities will present themselves in Fine Arts. This trait is peculiar to Fine Arts students and graduates.
You will encounter professionals from various parts of the world during study and work. Such fruitful exchange of information will help you stay abreast with various trends and styles worldwide.
Fine Arts graduates get ample opportunities to travel domestically and abroad.
Wide range of courses
Fine Arts cover a variety of specializations. Finding a course of your choice is thus easier. Colleges and universities worldwide offer Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) courses which is the one of the best career in mind of students.
In some countries, the course is called Bachelor of Arts but includes performing and other arts. Yet more universities categorize Fine Arts as science.
You can take a suitable Fine Arts course itself or as addition to specialized studies like engineering, medicine and law.
Happy people all around
Choosing a profession you love is better than doing a job for money. Extensive studies and research on the relation between work and mental health funded by World Bank, US government and other organizations reveal that creative people are happier working on what they love. Fine Arts is the only stream of studies that helps develop your hobby into interesting work.
Increased productivity and prosperity
As a Fine Arts practitioner, you will enjoy your hobby. You need not work forcibly. Enjoyable work leads to increased productivity.
This translates automatically into prosperity. Any hints that Fine Arts graduates never flourish is myth- evident from the number of successful musicians, writers, designers and others.
Lesser competition at colleges and universities
Faulty perceptions about Fine Arts have affected colleges and universities. Numbers of admission seekers for Fine Arts courses are declining.
You will most likely encounter a cakewalk in enrolling for Fine Arts studies. Scholarships are on offer too.
Fine Arts for persons with special needs
Fine Arts studies and practice has miraculous effects on people with special needs. It boosts their confidence and sense of self- worth.
Persons with special needs have excelled in Fine Arts around the world. Despite intense attention and labor, people with special needs are able to successfully complete Fine Arts courses and launch careers and businesses.
Tips before enrolling for Fine Arts studies
Remember, Fine Arts studies are not for everybody. A Bachelor of Fine Arts course costs as much as other graduation degrees. Assess yourself before enrolling for a Fine Arts course.
Find if you are willing to give wings to your intrinsic skill or hobby. Research into the types of course you wish to study.
Study whether your chosen profession in Fine Arts is useful and draw a list of possible and potential future employers. Look for latest study and job trends in your art.
Tweaks while studying
Fine Arts can be practiced almost anywhere. Form a group of people in your class and form performance and appreciation circles.
Learn the vital skill of writing critiques. Appraising yourself is fine but artists are rated by others. The skills you have acquired before entering a Fine Arts course are amateur.
Ask trainer, tutors and seniors for tips and suggestions. These are a great resource of informal information.
And finally….
Do not be deterred by negative publicity accorded to Fine Arts courses. Remember, there would be no Beethoven or Rembrandt without Fine Arts. A course can pave way for a great career or business. But your personal skill and interest holds the key.
