Don’t discount value and difficulty of the arts, especially at competitive schools like UCLA

It seems that college, while loads of fun, can also be the final burial ground of dreams for a great number of students. No group is hit harder than the artists. At some point in these four years, they must decide if being a poet, painter or photographer is worth the pauper lifestyle. Yet, aside from monetary incentives, sadly, it seems there are many who simply believe that art doesn’t play an important role in society, and that artists are far from as valuable a commodity as a doctor, businessman or lawyer.

In light of this, I’d like to write in defense of the artists who feel that it is worthwhile. Yes, the commercial value of art (besides blockbuster movies) is drastically low, marking it a hard career path in a capitalistic country. But its intrinsic importance cannot be overstated, for it challenges traditional thinking and provides us all with a shared sense of humanity.

For example, in times of a tough breakup, listening to music or reading a story about heartbreak can often be the only effective alleviator. Art is ultimately the essential reminder that no man is alone in his thoughts or emotions.

And although there is no monetary reward for thinking, it seems only logical to consider it a procedure worth practicing. Just as we study the stars solely for the knowledge of it, we create and observe art to become smarter people. Today it seems we associate value with a tax bracket, a critical flaw in vision that seems to grow with every episode of MTV’s “Cribs.” Consequently, the eloquent nobility of pursuing a life in art has lost much of its grandeur.

Now, clearly the life of an artist is not an easy one, wrought with studio apartments and Top Ramen until the age of 35. Yet, this obvious fact is made no easier by the never-ending barrage of “What are going to do with that major?” usually asked by economics and pre-med students whose arched brows and disgruntled eyes cast an air of detached fascination. I often hope an art student will answer with an “I don’t know, but at least I won’t be in a cubicle my whole life,” but alas, this response hardly ever comes.

What’s comical about the arrogant nature of art skeptics is that, in reality, art students at UCLA generally have the most difficult time gaining admission.

Programs such as music and theater have incredibly difficult admissions standards and generally represent the best talent in the nation. First-year art student Mallory Norblad said, “I don’t understand why anyone would look down on an arts major. My major is very, very competitive.” For example, in 2008, only 9.1 percent of transfer applicants were admitted to the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture, with the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television only accepting a dismal 6.1 percent.

Additionally, while the work of a science or math student can be quite visible and very rigorous, the course load of an arts student can be just as strenuous. As third-year Design | Media Arts student Susan Wang said, “I can’t go one day without my friends joking about how I don’t have work. But I do; it’s just a different type. I don’t have written exams during midterms or finals, but I still have a very difficult course load.”

To the parents out there telling their aspiring artist kids to hang up the paintbrush and pick up an LSAT practice test, try to understand the importance behind your child’s passion. As the author Thomas Merton once said, “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” I’ve never seen a proof that could do that.

If you want to start an artistic revolution, then e-mail Bromberg at mbromberg@media.ucla.edu. Send general comments to viewpoint@media.ucla.edu

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