Classified as a hobby

Kim Balmain · Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2010 9:17 am Post subject: Classified as a hobby

This is a subject I have dealt with for many years.
As a private artist/teacher of the Tonal Realism field I have seen many school age students pass through the doors of my studio. Some stay for years and eventually move on to tertiary education.
My motto over the decades has been "Assisting young artists towards professional exposure"
This does not mean they have to be artists. Studies at the studio provide a foundation to their knowledge within the arts and encourages them to seek careers that involve that knowledge.
But over the years, there have been many parents who's comments seem so unjust. They will say: John is doing so many other activities that we cannot afford the time or finances to cover everything so the HOBBY must go.
Now I ask - Should studies in Visual Art during primary and secondary school be classified as a hobby? or Should these studies be classified as a path to their future?

AvG · Joined: 17 Sep 2005 Posts: 1912

It is an essential part of every child's learning and development whether related to future employment or not.

Just as children do sport without expecting to become athletes, play without intending to become actors and dress up as super heros without being expected to save the world one day! Personally I don't believe there is such a thing as a 'hobby' for a child - there are simply 'interests' that evolve and change through their childhood.

My husband has been a primary art teacher for many years.
We are just starting private classes and have put some information on our website about the benefits of art lessons for children. Rather than repeat it all, if you are so inclined, you can read it here: http://creativeleapart.blogspot.com/p/how-art-classes-can-help-your-child.html

belle2 · Joined: 21 Jan 2010 Posts: 189 Location: Newcastle

Well said Amanda! Studying art encourages children to use their right hand side of the brain and become creative in all their thinking. It involves continous problem solving and should be as compulsory as mathematics where the answer is in the back of the book.

Kim Balmain · Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2010 8:57 pm Post subject: Re - Classified as a hobby

Thanks for the link amanda. Excellent reading and I agree totally. Regretably I do not have the benefit of educational certificates. I have always considered that I did not need a degree to say I can create but have now realized that there is more to it than just a piece of paper. I am hoping to return to school next year.
I was not intending to say that all young people attending the studio should or have to be artists. I am pleased to give them the opportunity to experience learning from a tonal artist.
For some the interest dwindles and they move on to other interests.
But for those who want to learn I find it a shame that their parents do not see their studies as more than a hobby.

serena · Joined: 06 Jul 2009 Posts: 34 Location: Sydney

Kim I agree with everything that has been said. I am the beneficiary of 3 years art school training myself.

Perhaps you could point out to parents that we live in an increasingly visual world, and that visual literacy is as important a tool for negotiating contact in our community these days as text literacy. To be able to understand, discriminate or even create images is a powerful tool these days. The workforce has changed so much that creative visual thinking gives builds an arsenal of skills for children that goes beyond the status of a pleasant but unnecessary hobby.

All the best with your venture Wink