Comments on: Part II of II: Are apprenticeships realistic in 2008?

By: Julie

Julie — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 00:59:33 +0000

I got lucky and learned a fair amount about construction and detailing while I was in school. Not a lot, not a lot at all, but we had to think through at least a couple details on each project. It helped.

But I also took it upon myself to intern at firms. Every summer and most winters, and sometimes a bit during school, too. By the time I got out, I really knew something.

At least about producing drawings. Now I’m over four years out of school, and have REALLY had an education in the hard stuff. Not just construction administration, but dealing with the client and mediating between the rest of the A/E team, the construction team, the badly-trampled design intent, and the client. Talk about eye-opening. Just like it always is, the more I know, the more acutely aware I am of my own ignorance.

I’ve also seen lots of people come out of art school with little-to-no technical understanding of their craft. As an architect approaching clay, I’m naturally intensely interested in both the materials and the product… kind of rare phenomenon.

By: Tim J.

Tim J. — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:21:06 +0000

Jim, your experience mirrors mine. My art education was heavily conceptual, with very little focus on craft or improving one’s skills.

I have to say, I got more technical help (craft) in my undergrad years than during my graduate work.

I would also be happy to work with some younger artists, but scheduling is the tricky part. I think there needs to be an element of mentoring in any respectable art program – someone who takes the time and trouble to learn about the student and help them discover what kind of artist they really are.

Most instructors just don’t have time for that. Or don’t take time.

By: pNielsen

pNielsen — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:42:10 +0000

That’s a good idea Jim, a direction I hadn’t thought of. I’ve also had a bunch of different jobs (painter, construction, pressroom grunt, mowing lawns, landscaping etc) though most of them at this point in my life had been summer jobs in between school years.

Being fluent enough in graphic design, I could possibly use this trade like the ones you suggested half-time. Friends of mine in NE are doing something similar which they explain here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nl-ZwXxM7mI

Shameless plug, that video is one I helped produce for the missions mobilizer I work with as we try to get our long-term mission website, PreparingToGo.com up and running.

By: Jim Janknegt

Jim Janknegt — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:30:52 +0000

I learned almost no craft in undergrad art school (University of Texas). Quite a bit more in grad school University of Iowa) in certain subjects, none in others. I always found this disconcerting. i am all in favor of apprenticeships and would happily work with younger artists to share my knowledge.

I also have thought it would be advantageous to teach artist a trade at the same time they are learning art skills. Who can make a living coming right out of art school unless you teach, and those jobs are far and few? If you could come out of school and work part time as a plumber or electricians assistant, or a locksmith, etc. Some job that paid a living wage. You could work half time making enough money to live and still have time and energy to paint half time. Instead most college art graduates end up getting a minimum wage job having to work their butts of just to barely make ends meet and paint in their spare time. That is really hard to do and most people finally give up. I have worked as a billboard painter, a dept. store window dresser, house painter, taxi driver, plumbing and hardware salesman, shipping clerk, offset press operator, purchasing agent and building manager. I have always worked full-time since I got out of school and painted in my spare time.