What is art education?
For students, art education teaches different artistic expression levels, from pre-kinder to college. Children may begin their artistic abilities by finger-painting or coloring. As a youngster, talent is not a prerequisite to enjoy coloring books, painting with watercolors, drawing, or creating images through computer software. The expressive nature of art can display a child’s emotions, thoughts, and interests. The earlier the child starts – the better.
During these years, the child is most receptive to information that he/she forms the foundation for math, reading, music, writing, art, and more.
What is art?
Art comes in a variety of forms. One does need to be artistically inclined to appreciate and admire those gifted with talent. Some of the art expressions are music, architecture, sculpture, painting, drawing, digital media, photography, fashion, jewelry design, woodcrafts, dance, singing, and many more.
If only those endowed with artistic talent visited The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the attendance would not have been 6,770,000 in 2019. Unfortunately, there was an eight percent decline from the number of visitors in 2018 of 7,360,000. The most famous art museum in the world is the Louvre in Paris. In 2018, the site attracted a record 10.2 million visitors (Statista). More people visit the Louvre than any other museum in the world!
What about a degree in art?
We’ve established the importance of art at an early age and the premise that people love to view masterpieces. However, we’ve skirted the issue of needing a talent for art to earn a degree in the discipline. How necessary is artistic ability?
Depending on your major, it could be essential. For example, a bachelor of arts in music typically requires the student to play an instrument. The Bachelor of Arts in Music at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge offers seven concentrations:
- Academic Studies: Develop skills in multiple instruments or voice
- Arts Administration: Focuses on marketing, fundraising, economics, and management
- Church Music: Teaching, performing, leadership, and singing
- Intradisciplinary Music: Also involves playing instruments and/or voice
- Jazz: Requires participation in a jazz band
- Theater: Design, script analysis, and acting
The one specialty above that does not necessitate musical talent is – administration.
When art arises in conversation, many people announce that they have no artistic talent and can’t draw even a stick figure. These individuals may be a wizard on the computer where this talent could apply to game design, for example. Talent generally means an innate ability to master an art form, whether painting scenery, taking photos, or drawing landscapes. Another word in the world of art is skill. A skill is something you can learn with practice and perseverance. One does need to be born with the ability to play Beethoven, but you can learn how with lessons and years at the keyboard.
For history buffs, why not combine art with history? The University of Nevada in Reno has a Bachelor of Arts in Art History that covers art from medieval times through to the present day. The coursework teaches graphic design, typography, and 3D printing, as examples.
The University of South Florida in Tampa offers a Bachelor of Arts in Art History. Greek, Roman, Renaissance, Baroque, African, Asian, Islamic, Late Italian, and Contemporary Art are some of the subjects studied. Students can visit the Tampa Museum of Art, the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, and a Renaissance and Baroque Art collection at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota.
Another consideration is a degree in multimedia and animation, which may require minimal talent in basic drawing. The animator uses this ability to draw figures as part of the animation 2D and 3D design process. You can find other specializations in this discipline, for example, interactive art, video, motion design, and digital imaging. Although some of these concentrations do not require artistic talent, they will appeal to creative students. Creativity is not always synonymous with artistic talent. Interior designers need to be creative but don’t demand the ability to produce the finished product. They must use their creativity to manifest a particular look through color, arrangement, decor, and furnishings.
Conclusion
Many areas under the marquee of art do not insist on artistic talent. You can study art or write about art or any subject, all necessitating varying degrees of creativity.
Additional Resources:
Easiest Online Master’s Degrees
Can I Study Two Different Areas in Most Master of Studio Arts Programs?
Do I Need to Have a BFA in Order to Apply for a Master of Studio Arts?
Are My Undergraduate Grades Very Relevant When Applying for a Master of Studio Arts Degree?
I’m not very good at standardized tests. Do most graduate art education programs ask for GRE scores?
What kind of items do I want to put in my portfolio for an art education degree program?
Where Are the Best Paying Jobs With a Degree in Interior Design?
What Is an Interior Designing Degree?
10 Creative Careers that won’t require you to be a starving artist