Is Education Need for Art if So What might it be?
To me it describes what I do, who I am. I see no difference in this approach than if was a lawyer, doctor, engineer, etc. and said so. I was saying the same when I lived in France. It is simply stating what I do, what my profession is. Being an artist for me is a full time activity. I studied to be an artist, I have degrees coming from these studies, it is my profession.
Alain,
This may be off-topic but the point you brought up is worth addressing here. Having degrees is not always relevant to actually
being an artist although it
might be relevant to a
particular person's growth, techniques and development as an artist.
I believe that education, in the formal sense, is neither necessary, nor even necessarily desirable. After all, in every city there are great libraries, sculptures and museums as part of our culture and influences. Art can therefore readily exist outside of formal academic influence. There's enough stimulation around us for the gifted anyway! The latter, with very little learning, above what's learned in public schools art classes, might excel whereas many college graduates do not make it! The latter is a fact. With natural talent and self-acquired skills, the art may already be important and I wouldn't want to see that damaged.
As a dedicated professional who runs a business as an artist with sophisticated self-promotion, you are an obvious example of where your higher education, vision, insight and dedication has paid off. Your work is valued, you have a following and your life is supported well as a consequence. It all fits together. However, that was
your path. Others may not be helped at all by the corridors of academia or find comfort with that way of life.
Some artists seem to come from no where, have all the business work done by a gallery. They, themselves, may even live a pretty haphazard life and still get a great output somehow to the finest galleries.
Success then, is to do one's art, have a mate, get paid well, drink the best wine and not end up being locked up in a sanitarium like poor Vincent Van Gogh!