A career in the arts is unlike other careers.
People have always held artists apart from other professionals. As the world changes, how people relate to art in the world is rapidly changing, too. Choosing a career in any art field right now is both exciting and terrifying.
When people choose a career in the arts, they may secretly dream of becoming rich and famous, but more likely, they worry that others will judge them negatively. Artists are often told they should get a “real job.” There is this idea that if you are an artist, and certainly if you enjoy what you do, if you create music, write, paint, or photograph, that you are somehow not really working. And, unfortunately, too many artists believe that.
To further that, author Neil Gaiman shares a problem with getting even a small amount of success. He says, “you have the unshakable conviction that you are getting away with something and, at any moment, they will discover you.” He calls it the “Imposture Syndrome.”
Being an artist is not an easy career. To create any kind of art and do it well, one has to be committed, driven. There is often more rejection than appreciation. There is more doubt than understanding. There is more effort than money.
In honor of graduates everywhere, I’d like to pass along some points from Neil Gaiman’s speech that he delivered to the graduating class at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia. (via Open Culture, with video of speech)
- Embrace the fact that you’re young. Accept that you don’t know what you’re doing. And don’t listen to anyone who says there are rules and limits.
- If you know your calling, go there. Stay on track. Keep moving towards it, even if the process takes time and requires sacrifice.
- Learn to accept failure. Know that things will go wrong. Then, when things go right, you’ll probably feel like a fraud. It’s normal.
- Make mistakes, glorious and fantastic ones. It means that you’re out there doing and trying things.
- When life gets hard, as it inevitably will, make good art. Just make good art.
- Make your own art, meaning the art that reflects your individuality and personal vision.
- Now a practical tip. You get freelance work if your work is good, if you’re easy to get along with, and if you’re on deadline. Actually you don’t need all three. Just two.
- Enjoy the ride, don’t fret the whole way. Stephen King gave that piece of advice to Neil years ago.
- Be wise and accomplish things in your career. If you have problems getting started, pretend you’re someone who is wise, who can get things done. It will help you along.
- Leave the world more interesting than it was before.