Art’s Spectrum of career opportunities

introduction

My primary 4 teacher once told my parents that I wasn’t very good at art because I always coloured outside the lines...true story.

Maybe I just didn’t want to colour in someone else’s lines? Maybe I wanted to create my own lines with my own imagination?

Art is often misunderstood and undervalued. How many times have we heard, ‘What’s the point in art?’' or ‘Art is just a free period at school?’

Such comments can be frustrating because they overlook the immense value and potential of a creative education.

If a child is creative and wants to explore that path, it’s never a wasted choice.

*“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist when we grow up.”*

Pablo Picasso. Spanish painter and sculptor.

Decisions, decisions

This month welcomes the end of the exams for our teens in school. For many, they have planned what the next chapter is, and for others, they are undecided what path to take yet, and that is ok.

I was lucky enough to have lots of encouragement to follow my heart and study art, but unfortunately for many, that is not always the case.

My guidance teacher at school for example, tried to get me to take another path. He had no idea of the opportunities that were available to someone creative.

“In addition to giving our children the science and maths skills they need to compete in the new global context, we should also encourage the ability to think creatively that comes from a meaningful arts education.”

Barack Obama. Former President of the USA.

breaking the mould: creativity versus conformity

From early on, school systems often discourage imagination and creativity. Educational systems teach us to follow instructions rather than think differently.

Stick to the rules, use your brain to remember and regurgitate, rather than use your imagination to create.

“Imagination is the source of every form of human achievement. And it's the one thing that I believe we are systematically jeopardising in the way we educate our children and ourselves.”

Sir Ken Robinson. Author, speaker and international advisor on education in the arts to governments, non-profits, education and arts bodies.

a rapidly changing world

The world is changing so rapidly now that just learning a specific skill set and following it exactly won’t get us very far.

What prepares students for life beyond the classroom is learning how to be more creative, which includes flexibility in perception and execution of tasks.

We all need to think outside the box sometimes. Encouraging creativity helps this.

*“Art is the only place you can do what you like. That’s freedom.”*

Paula Rego. Portuguese visual artist.

the value of art eduction

There are countless opportunities in the creative world, and any of these qualifications can complement technical design studies and graphics.

Art isn’t all about painting pictures. It contributes to overall intellectual growth and emotional well-being, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

*“Everything is design. Everything!”*

Paul Rand. American art director and graphic designer.

design is everywhere

Beyond the paintings and images on your walls by painters and photographers, all your textiles, carpets, tea towels, bedding, clothes, etc., have all been designed by someone with a background in textile or fashion.

*“Design is not for philosophy it’s for life.”*

Issey Miyake. Japanese fashion designer.

Every part of our cars, aeroplanes, bikes, smartphones, laptops and other everyday items have all been designed by creative professionals.

Furniture design, graphic design, architecture, industrial design, interior design, fashion design, illustration, textiles, silver smithing and jewellery, fine art, art history, printmaking, animation, theatre design, costume design, art therapy, ceramics, glass art.

The list is endless.

*“Thinking about design is hard, but not thinking about it can be disastrous.”*

Ralph Caplan. American design consultant and writer.

art and mental health

Art also plays a massive part in mental health. It has been proven that art therapy has significant benefits.

Art can be a release for many and it can also be used as a way to communicate when words fail.

My final year dissertation focused on art’s impact on mental health, and it was fascinating to see firsthand how much it helps adults and children with learning difficulties and mental health problems.