I’m deviating from my usual summer subject matter to bring up a line of thought that is always in the back of my mind: the arts as a career, is it worth it? The main reason I’m rethinking the whys and wherefores is that my children are both artists, and for their generation it’s even more challenging to contemplate a career in the arts than it was in my youth.
Many people, some of my colleagues included, have actively dissuaded their children from pursuing careers in the arts, even to the point of refusing them music lessons as children. I realize they feel they’re doing what’s best for their children, and perhaps they’re right. The trouble is we have no way of knowing the future, more’s the pity. Those who have already chosen to lead their kids away from the arts have basically said, “Don’t do it, you won’t make any money”, or “You’ll be unhappy, forget it!” Maybe this is because of their own experience; they’ve been frustrated or several of their friends have been frustrated, poor and unhappy as a result of the decision to pursue an artistic career. Yes, the number of people who get a degree in music is far more than the number of musicians who actually make a career out of music. But, is it fair to tell a child who loves music and who passionately wants to devote their life to it, that they should not do it? These days, there’s no guarantee that a job in almost any field will be forthcoming, so why not at least give it a try?
My daughter (for example) is a singer and a very good one. Her father and I have been encouraging her to keep singing since she was in diapers. How could we suddenly say, whoa! We weren’t serious, you can’t really make a career out of it!? She is a talented, smart woman who, if singing doesn’t “pan out” as we say, will be able to find a path and make a career for herself somewhere; but if she gave up now, wouldn’t she always wonder what might have been?
Whatever path you choose, whether the practical “sure-fire” money-maker (if there is such a thing) or a life in the arts, the only way to enjoy life is to take it day by day. You don’t know what will happen, but if you take the opportunities life puts in your way and work hard at what you love, at least you can say, “I tried my best,” and perhaps there’s some peace to be gained in that if the career you envisioned just doesn’t materialize. I believe that time devoted to practicing an art is never wasted. How can you monetize feeding your own soul? Or assess the cost of starving it?
Yes, being poor and struggling sucks, but I know plenty of people who are relatively rich and still miserable. It’s not about the money, it’s about time well spent. At some point along the trajectory, my daughter may find herself earning a decent living, mostly or completely by practicing her art; on the other hand, she may wake up one day and say, “I’m sick to death of this struggle, I’m going to become a dental hygienist”. Either of these scenarios are possible and both completely legit. She’s an adult and has to make her own choices now. On our end, we can’t kick ourselves for encouraging her wonderful talent. We’re idealists! We’d like to see her making the world a better place by singing for people. However, she can also make the world a better place by cleaning people’s teeth. We’re okay with that too. She’ll still be a terrific singer and as long as she’ll always sing for us, we’ll be happy.
This song is an emotional out-pouring of how art pierces the soul and inspires. Roberta Flack (again) and “Killing me Softly”…
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