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Nurturing a PASSION FOR THE ARTS
By Laurie Higgins
f you are a high school student considering a career in the arts, there are plenty of things you can do right now to further your passion, even during a pandemic. Creative Kid College Coach Caillie Dick says the number one thing kids need to do regardless of which branch of the arts they are pursuing is practice, practice, practice. She recommends practicing by yourself and in classes, clubs, or with groups of friends.
“I don’t care what form it comes in, I just want them to be practicing as much as possible,” she says.
Lorraine Serra, founder, and director of Portfolio College Counseling agrees.
“Keep working on your art,” she says. “Set aside time each day or week. Create a dedicated space in which to work, if possible, where you can tidy up and leave your work untouched.”
It is also important to review the work you have already done, Serra says. Take a critical look at your art to understand what subjects and mediums emerge as most interesting to you. Your honest assessment can become the seeds for your
“Create a dedicated space in which to work, if possible, where you can tidy up and leave your work untouched.”
future actions. Ask yourself where you want to go from here. Maybe you will decide to take a deeper dive into one area of interest or try something new that you are curious about.
Serra recommends that artists start a visual journal, where they can collect references and inspiration. This can either be virtual or a hard copy. A visual journal helps you begin to understand your own reasons for creating artwork and helps you plan for future work you would like to try. It can also help you make meaningful connections between your work and your interests that help you create your own style.
“Colleges want a clear understanding of your personality, interests, values, and potential to succeed in a college program,” Serra says. “Students with self-knowledge present themselves well and can better explain who they are to admissions.”
One of the best ways to lay the groundwork for exploring the idea of attending an art or design college is to do plenty of research and develop a plan of action. Gathering information will lead to a greater understanding of the forms of artistic expression, the types of degree programs available, and possible career options, Serra says. The more you know, the more confident and determined you will become.
If you can swing it, Caillie Dick from Creative Kids College urges you to attend a summer program where you can immerse yourself in your chosen art. Both in person and online programs are available in Summer 2021. The type of program you should choose depends on how old you are.
“I really, really recommend if they are going to attend a program over the summer, especially if they are a junior or a senior that it be something that is offered by an arts institute because then they are learning directly from faculty members who teach BFA students,” Dick says.
“Camps are great for younger kids up until a sophomore year, but after that point I really want them to understand what it is like to be in an arts-oriented environment working at a college level because that’s how they really understand whether or not something like a BFA would be right for them.”
Students who attend programs at colleges not only produce better work, but they also have the opportunity to get to know faculty and find a mentor. It’s also a nice way to explore a possible college they are interested in applying to.
By the end of junior year, students should be getting serious about understanding the requirements to apply to various programs. They should be building a portfolio or prepping audition materials.
Since passion comes from inspiration, Dick recommends that students attend as many different programs in their chosen field as possible. Attend gallery events or performances to see what really speaks to you and how you want to develop your own practice of art.
If you can’t attend a summer program because of finances or family obligations, Dick recommends looking for free outlets for your art and things you can do on your own. The foundation of any visual arts practice, whether it’s a cinematographer, graphic designer, or painter, is drawing from observation. Draw your family, friends, pets, home.
If you are a performer, think about ways you can connect with other performers who are passionate about the same things as you are. Consider putting on an Instagram Live show or orchestrating a Zoom performance for family and friends. During the pandemic, some of Dick’s musician students have begun teaching their skills to others through the Nextdoor app.
“There are a lot of opportunities like that that you can do on your own,” she says. “You just have to get a little bit creative about it.”
“Students with self-knowledge present themselves well and can better explain who they are to admissions.”
STUDENT ADVICE:
How did you discover your passion?
Fine Art was an instinctive choice for me, ever since I was little my parents have fostered creativity and so I just found myself time and time again finding opportunities to create. It felt so incredibly natural that I pursued it and eventually felt that I wanted this as a career and not just as a hobby.
- Jillian, Norwich University of the Arts
My high school English teacher once told me, “You are so quiet in class but when you’re on stage you light up!” I am lucky that I found my passion pretty early in life and I’ve continued to pursue it every day.
- John, SUNY Cortland