Where to start your journey in art?

Art is not one direction

Every journey starts with exploration. Explore all the possibilities – contemporary art is wonderful because it is not only historical forms of creative activity, but also the opportunity to realize oneself at the junction of different disciplines.

What formats are the most popular:

• art;
• arts and crafts;
• architecture;
• the photo;
• music;
• literature;
• choreography;
• theatrical art;
• cinema art;
• culture and art history.

Each direction is a set of options for self-realization and creativity. For example, arts and crafts is different in that it is also a utilitarian direction that satisfies the needs of people. It involves many techniques, materials and interesting possibilities – from embossing, working with wood and stone to embroidery, creating jewelry and designing clothes.

New opportunities and modern professions

Contemporary art also includes all sorts of methods of self-expression through the digital space, for example, blogging, illustration, design and direction of stories and videos for Instagram and TikTok, crypto art and NFT design, game design, audio directing and acting for content creation and podcast performances. , djing or tattoo.

Sasha Masyuk, the founder of the SASHATATTOOING studio, Masha Vivo, the creator of VIVOTATTOOSTUDIO, and others are doing great work in this direction.

Many contemporary artists choose an interdisciplinary approach that allows them to achieve success faster through originality, innovation and greater interest from the viewer. However, to become a pro, you still need to get an education. It is thanks to him that the horizons expand and a creative environment and opportunities for promoting talent appear.

Choosing an educational institution

Education affects the abilities and capabilities of an artist, the price of his creations and the entire image of the author in the professional community. Being self-taught is not bad, but it significantly limits the creative path and adds obstacles.

For musical, choreographic and fine arts, it is advisable to start learning from childhood. You can start learning the basics of ballet even from the age of two, but experts advise professional training from the age of seven, when the child can already demand success from himself. Becoming a professional ballerina on your own will not work, you need to work with a choreographer and experienced teachers. Children 9-10 years old go to the first ballet class, where serious preparation for the school and dance career begins.

Music schools, dance studios and art schools for children are available to children throughout the country. In large cities, the choice is amazing. There are also special courses for adults. Of course, you won’t become a professional ballerina at the age of 30, but it’s easy to become an artist! You can get a second higher education in the field of art, for example, become a cultural or art critic.

There are areas in which you can do without higher education, for example, the work of a make-up artist or makeup artist – in this case, it is the portfolio that will play a big role, but to find a job, you will have to work hard, sending it out yourself and using social networks for promotion. By learning and interacting with experts, moving in a creative environment, the development of an artist and an artist flows more smoothly and logically.

This also applies to the blogging industry, and all fashionable creative professions – from game design to the leading corporate parties and stand-up comedians. You can choose short-term courses and improve on them, attend special traveling schools, camps and master classes – all this helps to immerse yourself in the environment and gain unique knowledge.

After a general education, such as a music or art school, you can go to study at a college or college. In order to become a jeweler or get another specialty of an arts and crafts nature, a secondary specialized education will also be enough. There are good colleges in every major city.

Higher education is the best option for becoming in the field of art. Universities and academies allow you to fully immerse yourself in a creative atmosphere, find like-minded people, useful contacts and your own unique path. Only in Moscow there are more than 230 programs in various fields of art! Experienced teachers will help you pay attention to details that are easy to miss, put your hand, voice, work out important skills and charisma, as well as practice and organize the first exhibitions or find a part-time job.

Increasing the possibilities

Social networks are a great opportunity for promotion, but not the only one, and most importantly, the digital space, unlike the physical one, does not always increase the value of created art objects. But exhibitions, competitions and grants in the arts help to do this.

Contests allow you to disseminate the ideas and projects of an artist to a wider audience, gain new experience and open doors for further growth. All merits at such events become part of the portfolio, which increases the importance of the creator in the field of art and the cost of services. Also, many curators and organizers of exhibitions are guided precisely by the track record and experience of participating in competitions when choosing applicants for a new exposition.

Grants should also be noted separately – it is very important to apply for participation. At a minimum, this is also experience and a line in the portfolio, at the maximum – a serious amount that can be spent on an exhibition, creating new works of art, renting a workshop, premises for work and life, transport, tools and new materials.

It is important for any novice creator to keep track of grants and competitions, for example, the Tavrida art cluster holds them regularly and helps young talents to advance faster. Competitions are systematically organized by the British Higher School of Design, Strelka Institute, AIR (Art.ITMO.Residency). Many associations and clusters, for example, Winzavod, have an excellent residence for working on creative projects.

The path in art begins with the study of one’s talents and opportunities for their manifestation. Often teenagers want a creative profession, but do not know their strengths. In this case, all possible options can be explored with the parents. It may turn out that a person studied for ten years at a music school, but a closer sphere for him is arranging and working as a DJ. Contemporary art is full of opportunities and perspectives. The main thing is to try and push the boundaries!