Steve Rannazzisi, or as I know him Kevin MacArthur from the television series The League, fabricated an elaborate account of him nearly escaping death on 9/11. As I read this article, written by Serge Kovaleski, I did not think It would be useful for this blog but then an idea that was more important than this man’s lie; The struggle that is “making it” as an artist today. Elizabeth Day of TheGuardian reports that more than 90 percent of artists earn less than $10,000/year from their art alone. The arts are becoming less and less of a conventional choice because careers are not as stable as careers in other fields such as STEM or business, which many of us have chosen. Society as a whole is failing to support anything that does not equate to money gained.
This systematic subjugation is not an isolated incident, nor does it seem to be a temporary dilemma. Nationally, through the implementation of Common Core standards, focus on Science,Math and Reading is increasing but the arts and humanities are being neglected. My sister, who just entered Jr. High School, told me that the length of her Science and Math periods doubled. Her total time in school did not increase though, the double periods are taking the time of what used to be music and art. With the execution of all fields that are not neo liberal, students will eventually be competing for corporate positions starting in their first day of pre-kindergarten.
The colorful plane outside the window is flying “The Arts” banner, but the children are all being brainwashed into dull, test-taking robots
Except this IDC class that we are currently in, the last art class I was in was seven years ago in the sixth grade. When we analyze art in class I feel that I concoct a majority of what I say because I honestly do not know how to begin to understand art. I wish I did.
Arts such as dance and music and painting and film and photography and film are all essential aspects of developing our minds. A talented comedian should not have to fictionalize a story to become recognized, there should be a system in place to support people’s endeavors into the advancement of the arts. Steve Rannazzisi made a calculated risk the day he lied; I stand to gain more by telling this lie than I stand to lose through the humility of getting caught lying and this thinking makes me pity his situation. We need creative thinkers to remain creative. They should not be forced to work two to three odd jobs to get by while pursuing their passion.
I agree with a lot of what you said here. In the education system, there has been an increase of the encouragement of Science and Math and Reading. Our society has a fixed idea on what being “intelligent” is, and we are throwing creativity and innovation out of the window. As it is with your younger sister, classes and courses such as art and such is not being offered as often in elementary to high school because of the emphasis on the “more important” subjects.
“The arts are becoming less and less of a conventional choice because careers are not as stable as careers in other fields such as STEM or business, which many of us have chosen. Society as a whole is failing to support anything that does not equate to money gained.” This is true too. I have a question though, that I myself do not know the answer. How are we to encourage others to pursue their passions in art as a career when people who have occupations in art do not make as much money as other people with different jobs? Being financially stable and being secure in the future is something many many people think about.
“With the execution of all fields that are not neo liberal, students will eventually be competing for corporate positions starting in their first day of pre-kindergarten.” what you said here is funny and depressing at the same time due to how true it really is. I’ve seen kindergarden students stressed about how much science and math homework they have; their level of anxiety is truly concerning.
I agree that it’s so unfair how artists today are not recognized. Unfortunately, valuing the artists after their death has become a major trend. So while common core places more and more emphasis on the STEM subjects, kids are deprived of essential tools to development.
You brought up an extremely important lesson from an article that at first glance must’ve seemed useless for this assignment. I totally agree with your point that in this day and age, the world is putting less emphasis on the arts, and rather getting obsessed with the big-money fields. When you said, “Arts such as dance and music and painting and film and photography and film are all essential aspects of developing our minds”, I felt a philosophical, or psychological connection to the arts. I hope that in the future people will start realizing the benefits, and necessities, in preserving the arts. This can only be done one step at a time, and being in this IDC class definitely makes me feel as if we are trying to accomplish this.
It is very difficult to have grown up your whole life loving art and wanting to become an artist only to learn that in order to be ‘successful’ you have to have a job that pays the bills. Our society has entirely neglected the arts and people who have degrees in art history or liberal arts end up doing something entirely different because they can’t find a way to live without treating their degree as a hobby. It’s sad to know that in the past, society was so rich with art that the artists of the world became the aristocracy. Now you’ll find that so many people simply trying to follow their dreams of being renowned artists have to work two or three side jobs just to be able to pay rent. We can only hope that society will turn itself around and appreciate the arts more in the future.
As I was reading through your blogpost I can’t help but to nod along. Not only the education system is pushing the children to pursue careers in the STEM, business, or medical field but also their parents. Kids are told from a young age to grow up and become a doctor or lawyer. No one tells their kid to become an artist. It is so hard to make it in the world of art. You have to make it or break it. But if you use lies to make it, then you better be prepared to break it because once you become successful every single detail of your life will be carefully analyzed. Now that Steve Rannazzisi is exposed of lying, it will be harder for him to come back from that mistake.
You raise some interesting points in your article. However, I have to have to disagree with the solution you advocate for. When education systems and governments encourage art, they encourage their kind of art. For instance, in 1922 the Mexican government under General Álvaro Obregón began hiring artists to paint murals in public buildings, with the goal of promoting nationalism and social cohesion. Later, in 1933, the United States launched their version of the program called Public Works of Art Project (PWAP). In both instances, messages behind the art was obligatory. If we as a society create a system that pumps out art, then we will surely create a system where the messages behind the arts are structured, and I think that would suffocate the purpose of art as means of expression.
I completely connected with what you described in this post. For as long as I can remember, growing up, I loved engaging in all kinds of art- I think this is true for a lot of kids. Art class was always one of my favorites. Like your experience, though, art took second place next to STEM academics and since grade 9 I have not had any time for it. It is upsetting that our education systems are neglecting what should be such an important part of our everyday lives. Art opens up the eyes to expression and higher thinking, just like any other subject at school would; therefore, it should be taken seriously. Yet still funding is being taken away from art programs… I 100% agree that we need to bring the importance of art back into everyone’s lives because it is a valuable skill and appreciation to have.
Ahmed, your argument was completely in sync with the current economic and social landscape of America today. Kids shouldn’t allow their dreams just to be dreams. This current “American Dream” that people still idealize over is now, unfortunately an illusion. People should definitely start supporting the arts and take into consideration the importance of creativity in society to fuel innovation.
I liked the cartoon you chose for the children forced to act like machines, complete with flaps around the eyes like the horses carting people around NYC streets have. But when I consider the diversity in the world I realize that STEM doesn’t have to be a bad guy rivaling art. Some consider building computers or toying with chemicals just as much of an outlet as art and we shouldn’t undermine their expression either. But I realize this article is about testing stifling creativity and art losing value in education; this is becoming far more apparent as we grow up. Studying for AP tests didn’t help me think abstractly about numbers or colors or people. This is a conversation we should be having and it’s wonderful that a post about art brought us here.
Ahmed, when I read the topic of your post, I got very excited. A decision I, along with my artist friends had to make when applying to colleges last year was whether or not we wanted to pursue our passion as a career. Sadly, out of the dozens of musicians, sculptors, painters, and actors I knew, only six decided to follow their calling, the majority of whom had wealthy parents who could support them. In years past, certainly in other countries, people were more open to the arts, willing to patron and commission artists to show their support and approval. Nowadays, such support is rarely the case towards artists. The government does not appoint state composers as they once did. Churches do not commission Sistine Chapels. Millionaires don’t model marble statues after themselves. Instead people seem content with snapping a photo from their iphone and calling it a day. In such a hostile environment, can we blame artists for trading their love in favor of the security of a STEM job?
Sadly, what you have stated is true. The majority of artist now do not make enough money to live a comfortable life. Personally, I think being a successful artist is either a hit or miss because if you are a successful artist, you can support yourself adequately. However, if you are “unsuccessful” it can be really hard to get by daily. I think this is also the reason why many parents push for their children to get a STEM job. However, I am personally really thankful to all the artist in this world who have not given up their dreams of becoming an artist because going to school or work everyday can get dull and art brings inspiration. Art can really change a persons mood and without the artist in this world who knows what it would be like.
I think art has significant value as it is a way to present our thoughts, our ideas, and our creativity. It’s truly unfortunate that the arts are not heavily focused on in school. Our society has put more value in the conventional jobs than on the artistic ones. And I think the second cartoon you included really captures that message. The cartoon also made me think of society’s direction in general.. everything has become so tech-based and career-driven, that some people are hardly taking the time to enjoy the arts, enjoy the outdoor, or enjoy certain social interactions. I actually just saw in the NYTimes that a restaurant opened up in San Fransisco where the workers are all “behind-the-scenes” and there is no interaction between the workers and the customers (just an iPad to make the orders!) It just made me think about how some people are becoming so concerned with productivity then with tapping into their artistic and social surroundings.
Right, the system is not supportive of the arts. What do you intend, as a solution, to this issue? Many articles have established that art and creative classes are pushed aside for the neoliberal education. However, few have proposed a possible solution to the issue.
As much as I hate to say it, society has brainwashed the past few generations into believing the only way to make money is through a rigorous education in the STEM or liberal fields. I really don’t see how it’s possible to turn art into something that can earn the artist a living. Art, according to society, isn’t a necessity.
Excellent points Ahmed, i completely agree with you. I could especially relate to your argument with todays educational structure. It’s very upsetting to see the direction it is headed into, all that matter is that todays children keep their grades up. The educational system has almost forgotten the value of the arts and enjoying your education. What’s important these day’s is that the numbers look good and that there is no deviance from the current system. I’m not sure when everyone agreed on this system of compliance and focus on the fields of STEM, but we definitely need change and reform!
Let me start by saying I really enjoyed your corporate pre-k joke, although maybe in a few years it won’t actually be a joke. Is the argument about artists struggling for artists who paint, draw, etc.? Because I think that is the field of art that is struggling the most. I think it is difficult for those artists because of the advent of the internet. If someone wants to find a nice painting, they could just go online and print it out; it’s quick, it’s easy, and it saves money. The art of music and performing are different. Actually being there for a concert or a play gives a whole different, palpable feeling than just watching it online. This puts the visual arts at an extreme disadvantage, which explains why they might be doing so poorly.
I completely agree that we need to have a stronger emphasis on the arts in our schools. Study after study shows that the importance of art in child development, cultural awareness, inventiveness and academic performance. If STEM was interwoven with other modes of learning, I think that would be the most effective way to not only inspire students but to also invigorate them with a love for learning.
The real issue here is what our society values. At this point in time our society is becoming increasingly materialistic and greedy. When we look to history, the “Golden Ages” we learned in World History always involved an explosion of creativity in the arts, literature and philosophy. I believe society will once again return to such a Golden Age, it is only a matter of when.