The idea of a starving artist has been around for a long time. It’s a picture of someone who puts all their energy into making art, even if it means they don’t have much money or comfort.
This idea started to take shape in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Back then, people thought art should be made just for the sake of art, not for any other reason.
Some famous artists lived tough lives, which added to this idea. For example, Vincent van Gogh had a hard time with money and health. He’s now known for his amazing paintings, but he didn’t sell much during his life.
People started to think there was something special about being poor but still making great art. A writer named Henri Murger wrote a book about four artists living this kind of life. His story made the idea popular, and it spread to other types of art too.
Over time, this idea grew into a belief that to be a real artist, you had to live poorly. This includes all kinds of creative people – painters, writers, musicians, and actors.
This way of thinking has changed how we see creative people today. Some folks think being an artist isn’t a real job unless you’re super successful. They also think many artists only get famous after they die.
But it’s not fair to only think of artists this way. Lots of jobs don’t pay well, but we don’t call them “struggling teachers” or “struggling cooks.”
While being an artist might not make you rich, it can still pay the bills.
A writer named Jeff Goins says we’ve believed in this myth of the struggling artist for too long. We think artists have to be poor and live on the edges of society. But that’s not true.
A study found that while most people like art, not as many value the artists who make it. If we start to appreciate artists as much as their work, we might see them in a better light.
Artists are just like anyone else trying to make a living from their skills. They don’t have to struggle to be real artists.
The Truth About Artists and Money
Being an artist isn’t always easy. Many artists have day jobs to pay the bills while they work on their art.
It’s normal for artists to spend years getting better at their craft before they make money from it.
Artists often plan for the future. They might study other subjects in school as a backup. This helps them have options if their art career doesn’t take off right away.
Money can be unpredictable for artists. Some months they might earn a lot, while other months they might not make anything.
New artists sometimes work for free to build up their portfolio and get experience.
But it’s not all bad news! Artists have the chance to make a lot of money if their work becomes popular. A single successful piece could make an artist famous and rich very quickly. Most regular jobs don’t have this kind of opportunity.
Here are some ways artists can support themselves:
- Freelance work
- Teaching art classes
- Selling art online
- Working at galleries or museums
- Creating commissioned pieces
Artists face challenges, but they also have unique chances for success. With hard work and a bit of luck, an artist can go from struggling to thriving.
Breaking the Starving Artist Stereotype
Artists often earn as much as people in other jobs. A study from 1980 found that artists made about the same money as non-artists. They also tended to stay in their jobs just as long.
Most art school graduates find work. A big survey of over 13,000 art alumni found that 92% had jobs. Many of these jobs were in the art world.
Art skills are valuable in many fields. Tech companies and banks now hire people with art degrees. They like how artists think creatively and see things from different angles.
Business leaders think creativity is important. In a survey of 1,500 CEOs, creativity was seen as the top skill for the future.
The digital world needs artists. There are lots of jobs for graphic designers, writers, and photographers. These are some of the most in-demand jobs right now.
Art education matters. When schools teach art, it helps people see its value. This can lead to more respect for artists and their work.
Famous people have praised art too. Steve Jobs said that mixing technology with art and culture leads to amazing results.
