i agree with deb on this 100%. its a powerful issue to me as i feel far too
much emphasis has been placed on masters degrees (and degrees in general for
the arts.) i think of the very best, most talented artists and curators of
art history - how many have been hung up on their MFA? or even had/have an
MFA? how many people who are/have done extraordinary things in the arts in
general have any degree? not that many.

i went to so-called 'famous' schools and had a 4.0GPA (which was the easiest
thing in the world to achieve) but found most of my arts classes, undergrad
and otherwise, to be a complete waste of my time, boring as can be, under
instructors who were basically failed artists. when it comes to the arts i
believe 'those who can do..those who cant teach." the entire college system
to me can be a solid manipulation, and a costly one at that which ultimately
benefits? the schools the most. administrators and executives at top schools
are taking home larger salaries than ever yet their multi-degree'd grads
can't find work! that is pathetic. making students believe that they 'have
to have' this or that degree is a joke. students are leaving college very
deep in debt, when i hear of some nearing six figures! it is really
shocking. do they think that is every going to pay off? at that rate they
wont have to wait years for a museum job. they'll be working three jobs just
to pay back the loans.

most people i know who are doing the most advanced creative work in the arts
are college drop outs. so yes deb you are right. there is no excuse.
education and job help comes in many forms; and with technology today is
available via many sources often for free.

j


james linza
managing director

thegentry.com project for contemporary art:
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----- Original Message -----
From: Deb Fuller <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, March 16, 2000 9:51 AM
Subject: Re: job help


> Standard response to people who are trying to get into the museum-field:
You
> will be competing with people who have a master's and years of experience
for
> entry-level jobs. You'll find something eventually but be prepared to look
> for months, even years at a time.
>
> In a message dated 3/16/00 6:37:00 AM Eastern Standard Time,
> [log in to unmask] writes:
>
> >  I can't find any design-related jobs that don't require extensive
> >  computer training (which I lack because of the philosophy behind a
liberal
> >  arts education).
>
> That is BS. I have a "liberal studies" theater degree and now work doing
> web-pages, CD-ROMs and other "computer stuff". Get access to the software
and
> learn it. Photoshop isn't that hard to pick up either.  Front Page is easy
> and there are plenty of good books on every computer program out there.
> Community colleges also have cheap courses on software packages as well.
>
> Deb
>
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