Art Majors: Satisfied with Their Jobs

See Strategic National Arts Alumni Project 2011 Snapshot.

The Strategic National Arts Alumni Project (SNAAP) I introduced yesterday is not just relevant for those considering art degrees as it also examines the satisfaction rates of artists and helps us consider definitions of success. 

Must artists work full time as artist to be satisfied? This research clearly shows not. Over 87% of arts alumni are somewhat or very satisfied with the job where they spend the majority of their time which may or may not be as a professional artist (see 2011 annual report page 16).

Meanwhile, 72% of art alumni still make or perform art in their personal time.

Interestingly, between 10% and 20% of all art students do not plan to pursue art as a profession as they begin their studies.

We should encourage artists, students and art educators to learn though this data, allowing us to demystifying futures in the arts and advocate for arts education.