WHY I QUIT ART SCHOOL
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- čas přidán 13. 06. 2024
- Why i quit art school is one of my most frequently asked question so it felt about time for me to elaborate on why it wasn't a good fit for me. I hope this can give some insight for people who are considering an art education but please keep in mind that this was my personal experience!
If you have any experience with art school PLEASE share down below so as many perspectives as possible get shown :)
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I feel you on this so much! Stuck out the full degree in painting, but FIGHTING to work representationally for 4 straight years was ROUGH. The culture is elitist and classist!!! So glad to see youre here on youtube. We gotta build a more informal and approachable art world for real humans
i’m so glad somebody can relate, i felt so bad over not fitting in and sharing other people’s love for it so thankyou for your comment!
Painter to painter, heart to heart, i couldn't agree with you more! The industry really sucks !!
I was lucky to attend an art conseratory for high school and squeezed all the sap i could out of my training there. But i couldn't justify indebting myself forever (in the States) to go to art school for university and be forced back into square one, drawing cubes and spheres in graphite. And deal with everyone in "the scene", which is really just a cool kid competition. The whole institution is so fanatical, ironically. So annoying.
I spent years working in entertainment instead thinking it would satisfy me creatively, but it didn't, and I'm finally returning to myself now. Painting again. I'm happy to hear you stay true to yourself and honor your creative voice. This is what we need!
What a great rant!
I taught myself to paint when I was 12 (in 1973), had my first teacher when I was 13 - just one summer, about 9 or 10 lessons. Entered my paintings in a group show at the end of that summer. Loved every minute of those early years. Always took art classes in high school and university (while studying other subjects). Supplemented my training at night at the School of Visual Arts in NYC. Had day jobs for years, painted and took extra courses at night in all kinds of visual art. And now, at 63, I teach adults how to draw and paint here in the Southwest of France.
What's the point of this story? Agnes, you are in control of your art - and your art training. Seek out training from people who will teach you what you want to learn, either from individual artists, or formal ateliers, internet, etc. The problem with art school is accreditation. To be accredited, a school must make you jump through all kinds of hoops to show that you are receiving a "well-rounded" education, which has f**k-all to do with what artists need to learn.
I feel your frustration and I encourage you to understand the difference between "art school" and seeking the training you need to achieve your creative goals.
Jim
I did a foundation year at Central Saint Martins. So excited. Felt like I was about to start my life. So many people I studied with become severely mentally ill and there was no pastoral care. One of the fashion teachers told my friend's class "don't eat, don't sleep, don't fall in love" to focus on developing art and she developed anorexia. We also did no technical training, so I felt very disillusioned. Sorry you didn't have the experience you wanted, you're not alone 💛
so real. so much of this was exactly what i went thru... i had a voice in my head that said that continuing with art school would likely cause me to stop enjoying the process of making art forever 🥲 after dropping out, it took many years for me to be able to make art regularly again let alone identify publicly as an artist. its been almost a decade of working through the traumatic and negative associations i had with making art and being an "artist". i truly believe that everyone should have access to art and have the opportunity to be inspired to create things that are meaningful regardless of external expectations. hopefully your video reaches all those who also feel ostracized by the traditional institutional art industry/scene and become encouraged to stay true, manifest their creative visions and build a supportive community ❤
This reminds me of Albert Camus’ Create dangerously in the sense that those people doing the opposite of what society wants is just as soulless as doing the same as what society wants and an artist should do what they resonate with.
I went to art college in California for 2 years in 1993. You make great points. I was also maddened by their love of abstract. Being an artist is great but going to school for it is ridiculous on all levels. Real art learning happens in work environments and personal projects. Art college had zero real effect on my skill or income. If a degree is all you want, get it in different lucrative field, then graduate and get literally any job doing what you makes you happy. I sound like a dad but that is my best advice.
YOU can create your own ART school...
1) paint
2) paint
3) paint
I hear many people go to art school simply to get their own galleries (it’s often necessary to have the diploma just to get people to care - yuck).
sorry for sounding a bit aggressive on this video😂 i still have trouble putting these last few years into words. But if you have any experience with art school, please share your experience in the comments so people can get a less biased understanding and expectations ❤ thankyou for watching❤
I had a similar experience and was isolated for most of my degree course. There were some really badly thought out projects that made me want to leave, but I stayed and fought. By leaving you have become a real artist and it's something to be proud of.
Absolutely the same experience. I am glad you quit when you realized you've had enough! I went through all the way and I swear I stopped drawing for a year after my graduation because of the amount of mental train these people's way of thinking had placed upon my relationship to my identity and the art, as art is an extension of the self, imo. And those people forced me to be them instead of me for 4 years straight.
Really glad you escaped timely and are currently pursuing your own interests + spreading your pov!!
Thanks!
It's so hypocritical to talk about the ambiguity of art and how there isn't a set way you have to do it, but then turn around and set a 'right path' and the 'right reason' to make art for students it's such bullshit.
this is very interesting. Personaly, i think you can totally be an artist without going to school, seriously, outsider art is the best kind of art. There are tons of artists who started of as anthropologists, architects, even jarnitors (like Henry Darger), and they still get recognized by the institution. Your classmates are very dumb for laughing at your art, there's no difference between figurative paintings and conceptual art, just because right now conceptual art and video art are trending and get paid more, doesn't mean figurative paintings are at "lower level", they kinda have a prejudice towards realistic painting. But you saying that his anti-art art was pretentious was also not a nice thing. At the end of the day, we are all artists as long as we create art, no matter which institution we went through.
In regard to point 1, I agree that it feels like a waste of time doing stuff you aren’t interested in, however at least for me the whole reason I went to art school was to take myself out of my comfort zone. Some people don’t want that and that’s ok! It’s really important to do a bunch of research as to what you’re getting into
lol me watching this when I’m going to art school in the fall😢but I’m glad you found your way in the end and stuck to your individual art style
dont worry! i think its entirely individual and i think for many artists it develops them immensly! Most of my friends there said it was the best thing they’ve done, and the only way you’ll know is by going. Even though i didn’t like it got to know a lot about myself as an artist so if you go with an open mind, while not forgetting to listen to yourself, i’m sure you’ll learn a lot!
I did a year of art college in the UK 22 years ago. It was an amazing atmosphere - it was the last few years of the UK non-corporate, old fashioned, grimy uni atmosphere really - grimy, smoky cafes, bars and flats cool of cool, intellectual people - so I'll never forget the atmosphere, but the course was a mistake. I didn't realise they expected you to have ideas for an abstract, personal set of work or personal style already. I thought it was going to be just the learning the history of art part while perfecting my style. And I wasn't really "into" art, I didn't go to art galleries on my own and stuff then - I was expecting to pick that up on the course- and the other people on the course were much more ahead of me in terms of knowing the current art scene and knowing galleries, local artists etc. I wasn't a total anti-intellectual, I was willing to pick up the philosophy side of it. I don't think they'd have been fights like the one described in this video either, we all liked each other and none of us wanted to criticize what the others were doing. Oh and... there was this really unstable guy who printed animal/bestial p*rn off the internet (which we were all new to then, this being 2002), and reproduced it painted in big. I think he wanted to top Jeff Koons. I don't remember if he got in trouble, his work was thrown out but i don't think he suffered any repercussions, even for inflicting that on non-consenting classmates (and that stuff is illegal here). It was surely a different time.
oh..by the way.. Daniel Clowes (the writer/artist of Ghost World) has drawn some funny comic strips about the art school experience. They were put in his collected book "Eightball". I don't know if it's hard to find that book now though, it's from the 90s. in fact,,,I think his "art school confidential" strip was made into a film. He even had a fantasy art classmate who only painted dragons.
7:52 crazy that a guy that puts trash together mindlessly and calls it “meaningful” even though the whole schtick surrounding his art is that it’s “all bullshit and anti-art” has the audacity to call anybody else’s work meaningless. Sounds like every other “edgy alternative” man trying to be relevant. He’s not special, neither is his rearranged garbage.
I am 19, I attended RISD for exactly a week. Now I do freelance art full time!
I completed my BFA in Painting and a minor in Sculpture from State University at Buffalo and the professors and lecturers gave space to ideas that weren’t aligned with their own. Everyone has their preference and bias but my artwork flourished in that environment and I created a foundation and built connections during this experience that are still paying off a decade after I graduated. I feel so bad that so many have been held back or even given up because of dogmatic lectures.
Hey, your art is really incredible and beautiful. I found your account yesterday and it’s my new favorite art channel. The world would be less beautiful if there was only one style of art. You were put on this planet for a purpose, and you are very deeply loved. Your eye for fine art detail sets you apart from conceptual art, and that’s not a bad thing. Lean into the art you love creating, and know that you have people who are watching your content and rooting for you. Everything is okay and everything will continue to be okay ❤
As someone who went to a folk high school myself to try out animation and as someone who has a vocational school degree in art, its important to know when applying to FHS that its not a school in the same sense as vocational school or university. Its a prep school for art school for people who want to try out new stuff and learn the basics for proper art school, so they arent out of their depth when they get there. It also isnt as personalised as real schools as everyone has the same courses except maybe one optional. Its a great place to go try out new things, but it really shouldnt be considered the same as real art school where you get your own study plan and can choose your courses and have enough time to do them. Courses in vocational schools were over two months versus in FHS where they are maybe two weeks or so. Also you will get no degree from there and they often cost money so you really have to think wether its worth it if you know what you wanna already do.
Well said- all of it! I hate “artist speak and attitude” I want to learn, I create out of love for the subject and beauty, to add more positive and beautiful to this already beautiful world
This was such a good video, thank you so much for making this! It’s really good to hear someone talk about our school for European perspective, as most of the videos are from American perspective. As someone who lives in the UK, I think our arts education system is similar, as we do a foundation course before university, that is also very experimental. As someone who also has a strong idea what I want to do, that’s more towards painting and illustration, I also feel the same way about doing a very experimental and unfocused course. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and experiences, it’s been really helpful hearing this!
I can relate to much of what you say. I enjoyed art school to a degree, but I also found it very frustrating and disheartening experience. If I'd known back then what I know now, I would have taken a very different route as, ultimately, every artist has to teach themselves anyway, through repeated practice, and trial and error.
älskar dig agnes!!!!
Jag älskar dig ❤❤❤!!!
I would've made a better experience at art school if I had an artistic voice to begin. I loved learning techniques, I have fond memories of art school, but I simply wasn't mature enough in terms of personal voice.
I was also disillusioned by how insulated the whole circle is, with their galleries for more people like them. I realized that I wanted to go in a different direction.
My mother in law is also Agness, and I went to art Schoole on Austin Texas back in the good old days 2002. There were no internet or phones, it was a nice time.
This is exactly what I expected from an art school and why I decided not to go there 😕
I am fortunate enough to go to a university where the tutors had similar experiences to this when they attended art school. While this has created a system that encourages us to challenge the university, it is still a pathway that is roadblocked by finances and right now it is incredibly expensive to live as a student in my country. I can relate to your experience, as although there are concept art degrees as well as fine arts and design etc., I have more of an interest in the artistic trades like jewellery, tattoo, smithing etc. I think we have forgotten about and are missing the importance of apprenticeships. I would be much happier there than in university.
Great video!
This is why I said 'Hell No!' to a Fine Art degree as a comic/concept art/ illustration girlie GCSE and A Level (Fine) Art was HELL. Never knew what the teacher or exam boards wanted for a high grade and it really made me depressed and anxious to create art. 😢
I'd much prefer an atelier to hone technical skills, and seek out tution from my favourite artists via (online) classes. Pity a uni degree is the only one you can get funded.
Hello, a former art school studet here. A few months ago I recently transferred out of art college. I realized how unnecessary some of the classes were. I started thinking "when am I ever going to draw, am i good enough. I have now transferred to a normal university. The weird part of art school was having to think non-representationaly. I wanted to dive straight into my career. Classes were long and some days I would have to build a structure and than sit their bored for the last 2 hours. I hated the classes too. I realized how pointless, 2d and 4d was. I found myself wanting to learn academically, I felt in a way "dumb". Dumb meaning I am taking these so called easy classes while my friends are expanding their knowledge at normal college. This is my experience at art college. Everyone has a different opinion and this is just my opinion.
To me your an artist whether you went to art school or not. The important thing is to be true to yourself about being an artist. Me I’m a beginner artist painting and drawing and some photography. I learned a lot about CZcams videos then I started painting and drawing. I never went to art school. Whether you choose to go to art school or not you still an artist. And I noticed your art works are fabulous and you are very good at it. Be true to yourself be free as an artist and enjoy it. I just subscribed to your channel. Cuz your videos are fascinating. See you in the next one. Cheers. 😎😎😎🔥🔥🔥☕️☕️☕️
Didn't you knew before, what to expect on this art school?
i suppose, but i had heard mostly good things! i think sometimes you like stuff in theory but when you’re actually there it doesn’t suit you ❤
I applied to Berlin's art school three times and wasn't accepted😅 so I took it as a sign that maybe it's not the way for me. I understand the frustration of feeling like u r wasting ur time
I haven’t watched the complete video (I’m at 5:19) but I see so many parallels to why I quit dance school - I felt ripped off because they did have quality training but they just gave no info beforehand and so it didn’t take me where I wanted to be - and i had that feeling they owed me because I gave up so much to move there and then they treated me like they didn’t care if I had no chance to make it. Why accept me then? The leaving the studio after 2 hours and not being able to paint/ (dance in my case) when you want/ need to. Ugh. Also that negative attitude and stuff - I relate so much, I mean you go there expecting to receive support on your career development because they advertise their school that way, but then it just doesn’t happen, and my stubbornness didn’t help me either.
When I reflect I absolutely made mistakes from my part which lead to me feeling not only the wish but the need to quit, but others made it hard for me too (students and teachers) from the start.
Dear, I think you knowing where you wanted to go and staying true to yourself and therefore seeming /feeling “stubborn” and negative might have just saved you from living according to other people’s standards and sabotaging yourself to do something you didn’t want to do.
You look very similar to Awkwafina the actress 😊
I would have had the identical issues. Noway!!
You had me at less shitty person 😂❤
❤!
Haha people saying that painting is so passé when painting is the stuff that makes like 70% of all art sales world wide, it’s well and alive!
I agree
oof all if not most art "Schools" in the US are shit, and just for drug addict, if you can get the Imperial academy of Art to notice your work and get a scholarship to go there, I think you would love it. thou its expensive and far away i haven't been there but some of my art friends that went there say it's the best place for art, the amount of improvement and stuff you learn u cannot find anything like it in the us
I feel like you should have taken evening class with a master.
I also love classic fine arts. Portrait drawings and skilled pencil work is what i like. True art is in fact a skill
The thing about art school that some former students feel contentious over, is that art is enforced to be this extension of oneself through the medium of creative expression. Because the subject matters are so often intangible and personal, many feel as though putting their art pieces through the wringer through constant critique is unfair and biased towards a system of capitalism, where how many pieces you’re able to push out makes a large part of your credibility as an artist. To an extent, that’s true. But that’s beside my point for now.
I think you were bitter about your experience, which is 100% COMPLETELY fine, valid, and normal for many others. However, it comes across like you may have expected more of a tailor-made curriculum, which isn’t possible for a university where the curriculum is based on teaching crowds of students simultaneously. I think your assertions about art school were unfair *only because* it sounds like you were expecting the kind of personalized education you should have gone to an atelier or a mentorship for. If my assumption is correct, you might not have researched the school, the artists they push out, or the kind of students who apply; and chose to enroll because of prestige. Art school is not meant to teach you what you *want* to know. Few students find that art school, like any other form of formal education, caters to their tastes. It’s meant to condition you to value art, create art, make connections, and follow the rules and foundations to break them when ready.
When I attended, one assignment was to make 75 drawing studies from life, in inks or watercolor, to be submitted in three weeks. It didn't feel fair because so few of us worked with watercolor and a couple were digital media students. But it was meant to teach us to work quickly, observe from life, and be less “precious” with how we treated materials and our processes. It wasn’t pleasant, but it helped us grow. Art school is not meant to operate in your comfort level - and I’m NOT JUDGING YOU FOR THIS AT ALL because I think the fault of the system and attitude around art to intermediate artists and below give the impression that art and its processes should always be enjoyable - which if you want to make art for yourself, sure. But art university specifically is meant to cater to people pursuing a creative career in competitive fields, like creating graphics for video games or storyboarding for a major movie production. You don’t get creative control “off the bat,” and you’re working with stressful deadlines and last-minute changes all the time.
If anyone reading this wants to attend art school to work for yourself, don’t. Just open a website. Be an art influencer. Rent a space and host a solo show. Don't go if you haven't considered what type of art career will benefit from having a formal degree.
Jag sökte också till östra grevieie!
jag kom inte in
4:54 Felt
Wasn’t hitler 7:25 the only true Art fascist? 😅
My gosh, I had the same experience in a small artschool in germany. I followed their style. Cricked wrong drawings with a lot of mistakes and illustrations. There was also a lot of envy, because most knew, that most wouldnt make it in the art scene. The problem is, that our societies are very left, which they sell us as normal. Everything that is right, like conservatism, is evil 😂 Wanting a secure life, working hard, liking continuity and tradition,, finding happiness in family life, not taking drugs, not partying all the time, politeness. There are also little academic schools. For example the petersburg academy of art or angel academy in italy. This experience destroyed my passion for art. The best thing would be to study academic art and then melting it in your personal artistic vision. Thats also the recipe for the "modern" european painters from 1890 until second world war, which are so high valued. Milan Art on youtube teaches also sbout sellability. I recommend
oh brother
I think you need to read war of art and quit being a amateur, right choice on leaving artschool tho, good luck
Your kind of mindset is the same reason she quit art school…amateur? Just because you don’t get to obtain a degree in this bullshit doesn’t make you an amateur..I’ve seen so many artist go into art school and make the same shit as others..nothing original comes out of there. They kill originality in these institutions.
@@Divineintervention333 I just said, getting off the art school was her only right choice, this bullshit of inspiration is amateur stuff. Do the work.
Sounds like to me you didn't do a lot of research
Skill issue
ok Lenn2 from 2 days ago
thank you for the video and I see your point, but do you consider this class an art school? I think the purpose of the course you took was to figure out what kind of art direction you want to go in, try something new and get help with your portfolio. Did you go to art school in the area that interests you? I think this is something completely different from your class. I see a lot of benefits from art school that can really help, especially having feedback from professionals in the exact field you want to work in and the community🫶🏼