Stop Painting Art Degrees with Broad Brushstrokes

Alexandra ArmasTHE SANTA CLARAApril 24, 2014[dropcap] A[/dropcap]ll too often when discussing my future career as a dancer, I get asked the same question: “Yeah, but what are you going to do?”It is a widespread stereotype that an art degree is not as valuable as other degrees in the workplace, but that is not necessarily true.In June, I will be a graduate of Santa Clara. Upon graduation, I will be pursuing my passion: the art of dance. Yes, I will have a degree in communication (another major that is not given the credit it is due) but just as important to me is my minor in dance. It reflects my lifelong passion, and there is no reason why it should be treated with any less esteem than other career pursuits.Art degrees are worth just as much as other degrees. The lessons that artists learn both in and out of school offer many appealing characteristics to employers.In fact, art and design degrees are growing in popularity. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the number of bachelor’s degrees in the field of art — which ranges from visual to performing to designing, and even encompasses writing — has increased steadily since 1999 with more than 75,000 degrees conferred in the 2009-2010 school year.Additionally, 1,750,130 people are employed in the field nationwide, with an annual mean salary of $54,490. California is the state with the second highest annual salary for art careers at $72,920, just below Washington D.C. and above New York, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2012.There has been a push in the last few years for science, technology, engineering and mathematics classes. Many of these “STEM” supporters, including President Barack Obama, argue these careers are essential to the national economy. Neel Kashkari, a Republican candidate for the governor of California, suggested this week that free tuition be given to STEM majors who would reimburse the state with a percentage of their annual salary.All this indicates a bias for STEM degrees and against dance because those non-artistic majors are somehow better. This could not be further from the truth.The image of a starving artist is proving to be a common misconception. CBS News reports that visual and performing arts are actually tied with engineering and industrial management at 9.2 percent unemployment. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 19 percent rise in jobs by 2020 for artists and designers, compared to 17 percent for STEM careers.If STEM majors are so valuable and yet remain unemployed, perhaps there are too many STEM majors.More to the point: What good is a society without art?Art teaches discipline, persistence, passion and determination — especially in the face of skepticism. With these traits under their belt, art majors can find a place in the workforce.Attending Santa Clara and “just” getting an art degree is no less satisfying and valuable than pursuing any other type of degree.Artists work hard — we study, we commit endless hours to our talent, we take just as many classes and we work for a broad liberal arts education as well. In the future, artists will have a career that we love. Following our dreams to a career that is rewarding and joyful is nothing to be ashamed of. The world needs artists — after all, Earth without art is just, “eh.” Alexandra Armas is a senior communication major.