Indiana University’s Strategic National Arts Alumni Project (SNAAP) reports that artists generally seem to be happy with a life in the arts.
From the blog ArtsJournal.com: “According to SNAAP’s survey of 36 000 creative arts grads, their unemployment rate is half that of the national average and 71% of bachelor’s degree holders in the arts and 86% of those with an MA are working or have worked as professional artists.” More at the Snaapshot site.
Having seen La Bohème and read George Gissing’s 1891 novel New Grub Street (and having accepted every word as Gospel), I believe that a life in the arts can be difficult. But I do think if you can work in a field that lets you use your creativity — or one that provides time to do art part time — you will be happier. Everyone, in fact, should have a creative outlet, I’d say.
Would love your comments.
Photograph of Timothy Callaghan by Mary Ann Hall, Quarry Books editor
My son is an alum of Indiana’s School of Music. He is happy with his career and is able to support his music making by teaching academics on the side.
We all know, however, that to be truly “free” to choose our path in life, we must live in a country that provides health care for all. Otherwise, many of us end up in jobs we don’t love because we need benefits. Musicians in Europe, for example, do get subsidies, though my son tells me that those will be going away fairly soon.
How drab our lives would be if people didn’t make the courageous decision to follow their hearts and become artists.
Great comment, Judith! I do think there is something to be said for having the other job (besides health benefits) — if doesn’t take up too much of your energy. It has to do with working out challenges that may provide a second perspective on life-in-the-arts challenges. Also, when one arena is driving you nuts, you can focus on the other for a while and let the opposite side of your brain recharge.
What’s money? A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and goes to bed at night and in between does what he wants to do.
-Bob Dylan
There is a level at which lack of money really matters, but I can’t help thinking that, in general, creative people get more satisfaction from their work because it is unique. When only you can bring those exact experiences, memories and impulses to a creative product, you know you are special.