I know that the decision of whether or not to do one's masters in art is extremely personal. My own journey of art-making, specifically ceramics-making, has been 17 years long. I've had numerous instructors and been to countless workshops, spent hours and hours learning a variety of techniques, while developing my own in the process. I feel as though I've already come up with my own voice in the medium. I also feel as though my time away from the academic realm has been rather refreshing. I've had time to really decide what is important to my practice and have had time to listen to customers, rather then getting caught up in rhetoric. So there's a big part of me that wonders what I would accomplish for myself by doing my Masters. Not to mention the cost. Or the time involved (=time away from my family).
On the other hand, I do see that there is a level that is reached by people with their Master's that may take me that much longer to reach. And there is that little voice inside my head that is telling me perhaps I could teach if I got tired of the business side of things. So while I haven't made up my mind about it, and I really want to aim towards doing a residency for a month (perhaps next year??) before I even think about applying for a Masters' program, it's in the back of my head every now and again, and I thought I'd talk it out on my blog. I would be curious to hear what you think too- not necessarily about me and whether I need/don't need my Masters, but perhaps you have a reason you went for it or not.
9 comments:
great blog Heather! I'm really enjoying it.
For me, my MS was necessary for what I wanted to do for a career as a physical therapist. It was the entry level degree at the time. I toy with the idea of going back to get my transitional DPT at some point. But, like you, I consider the time away from my family and the cost as huge drawbacks. It would not change my pay rate, so it would really just be for me. And I still couldn't teach with a DPT (other than the one on one clinical instructing I already do!). I would need a PhD for that! Good luck making your decision... it's not an easy one to make! I think a lot would depend on schools in your area and whether or not there would be someone more skilled than you to learn from...
Yes Anne, it's a huge decision. There aren't any recognized Masters programs for ceramics (or Art for that matter) in Vancouver, so it would need to be a move to a city with a better program. That's probably the hardest part of this decision, sorting out how I'd up-root my family for 2 years while I got my MFA.
My dad did his Masters when I was little- we all moved to California for 2 years while he was in a program but I was 4-5 yrs old, my sister was 2-3 yrs old. It was a great experience for me as a kid and our family became friends with other families who were also in the program- we all lived in a housing complex together.
Wow! That would take a very adventurous spirit to do that! I guess I'm spoiled... my PT school is right here in town (VCU/MCV). If the APTA (our professional organization) has its way, all PT's will be required to have a DPT by 2020. Then I wouldn't have a choice but to go back.
So excited for you to see your work at Anthropologie! That's fantastic! :)
I think as hard as it is, try to for a minute not think about the greater outcome and the effect this decision may have on your family. Maybe write a very honest pros and cons list about why YOU want to do it for YOURSELF. Obviously if you keep coming back to this, theres got to be a good reason for it.
My life mantra of late has been "what is meant to be will find a way." So if the MA is meant to be, you will find a way of balancing it all.
In the meantime I think doing a short residency elsewhere would be great. An escape from the routine is always great to clear the mind. It might also make you realize that you don't want to leave your home in Vancouver even for a short time. Or maybe the opposite. Who knows? Good luck!
fruzsi
PS: On a more personal note about children and moving - boy will they adapt! When I was 7-8 years old my parents and I moved from Hungary to Holland for dad's job for about 1.5 years. We now look back on that as some of the best time's we've ever had as a family.
We then moved to Australia (even further away!!) where we still reside and love it. All I can say is, travel and living away from 'home' (but what is home? it may change like it did for me) will make you all bond together like nothing else!
Thanks for commenting Fruzsi! Yes, I too moved in my teens across Canada and it felt very tough and 'un-fair' at the time (I was 14), but in the end it was a great experience for me. I made so many friends, met my future husband and have settled here, even though I went back to Winnipeg after high school to live in my old neighbourhood just because I needed the closure. So yes, the boys will be fine.
Thank you too about the concept of embracing what is meant to be. I too am a firm believer that the seeds of ideas get planted and then wait to grow until the right time.
The MFA question is a big one! My friend Michelle who is also a potter always thought she'd do her mfa shortly after her undergrad. However, she has built up a very strong studio practice with a good following and teaches from her studio, too. It could be a big risk to put all that on hiatus, when in fact she has already found some of the success she was hoping for. That being said, she'll need to do it if she wants to teach at a University. Myself, if I had the money I would do it just for the artistic growth and inspiration it would bring...are you kids adventurous in spirit? Ah, big decisions!
Every person's situation and reasons for the masters decision are different. Here are my thoughts on my personal situation: I completed my MFA in 2007. At the time, I thought I wanted to be a professor, so I needed the masters for that. Now I know that I enjoy working for myself and teaching the occasional workshop more than working in academia. (And in the States, university teaching positions are very few and far between and you have to be willing to move wherever indefinitely. I thought I could do that, but now I'm glad that I'm not.) I don't regret getting my masters... I met some dear friends, had a lot of time to focus on my art, and learned that I could really push the content in my work if I wanted to... But when I look at my student loan bill each month or think about what it would have been like to start SSP 2 years earlier, I don't think that I would do the MFA over again if I could go back in time. That's just me and my situation, though. Everyone's is completely different.
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