Is it worth getting a BFA in painting?

That's a tough question. I have a BFA: CCAD '96 and an MFA: KU '00, both in painting. I think the real issue is if you want to teach or not afterwards in a collegiate setting vs. primary education. To teach art at a collegiate level art school you'll need a BFA and an MFA to work at the graduate level. If you want to teach up through high school you'll need a teaching certificate along with a BFA in most places, however you'd get paid more with the additional education of an MFA. Personally I like the idea of teaching college but have not been able to land a tenure track position. It is really tough out there...and painting is the most competitive of all art degrees. Personally I went on through the MFA for the experience in the studio...and have always wanted to make abstract art and find a place in the collectors market. That is probably harder to do than getting a teaching job. If you want to make it as an artist alone you very well could be looking at an additional 20 years after your MFA before anything of merit happens. That is where I'm at, never quitting always making art and applying for juried competitions. I'm 42 now and still no good news...but always working and trying. I'd not change anything at this point but keep in mind I've had to run my own business as a residential house painter for the last 15 years to make ends meet. It is most likely not a straight road, but a very crazy twisty and scenic one. Unless you have connections and are very hard working and brilliant, it's mostly who you know. There are a lot of hacks out there making art and making a living though...it just depends on where your passions lie and what you want to do. All the best on your journey. PS: I had basically full scholarships to both undergrad and grad school, and during grad school got paid as a GTA to teach drawing and painting. That was a nice time for sure. I had no student debt upon graduation and do not know of very many people in that scenario. If you are lucky enough to graduate without debt it might be a better option to just continue and work way harder than you think you are now. It never gets easier...only exponentially more difficult.

/r/Art Thread