Summary
This qualitative study used strategies for recognizing arts students’ dismissed voices, as
they sought an audience for their views, talents, and career choices, and endeavored to be
respected as artists in their own right. This enmeshed argument grew from several points of
view: a) a critique of standards-based policy (when it goes too far); b) a discussion of the
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importance of art education for student (and life) success; and c) research on the current practice
of merging art education with an art career path. To understand precisely how to improve the
learning experiences of art students, this research also sought to uncover more data on specific
curricular aspects: 1) How do art students describe a connection with their learning? 2) In what
way do art students take an active role in their learning? 3) How do the career dreams of art
students’ relate to the ongoing art career preparation and its expected or desired outcomes? 4)
What strategies do arts students use to pursue their academic course of study, and how does this
choice build the perseverance necessary for these students to achieve their artistic goals?
Participants in this study provided rich, real-world examples related to their art pursuits
during and after high school. One disturbing finding concerned the depiction of arts education in
comparison of other educational pursuits. Here, arts education fell by the wayside as other more
“academic” pursuits came to the fore. Because these students’ futures depended on their
becoming artists, giving arts education short shrift threatened these students’ futures.
Mulberry’s interview touched on the essence of the study. On her own she decided what
she wanted out of life. She was a student who could have pursued any career pathway with solid
grades, confidence, and a sense of determination to guide her. She stated that the “most
significant choice I made that affected my education was researching what I was going to do
when high school was over.” She did not dream about what she wanted, she got out there and
made it happen. She talked about researching “kind of jobs I might want to do that fit with my
interests and abilities.” Here, she found “all kinds of jobs that I didn’t even know existed” like so
many other creative students would discover, if given the chance.
Mulberry respected her family and wanted them to support her goals even though she
knew “they were a little apprehensive.” She decided on her most desirable occupation “accessory
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design” and she began “researching schools.” While doing this research she continued to work
on ideas and practice her craft at home and high school. I will never forget the little hand-beaded
bag she created in class. It was so intricate, and well crafted––as if it came out of the nineteenth
century couture salon in Paris. Mulberry finally found “one program for accessory design. It was
the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.” Her parents still wanted her to stay in
Michigan; “they really wanted to know” and be “sure that was what she wanted.” Her adventures
in New York and going to FIT was her “favorite part of my education, but also the most difficult,
but I loved it!” and if she “hadn’t researched everything available, I may have never ended up
there.”
Her determination and follow-up gave her the opportunity to make her dreams a reality—
a career in fashion design. Many students have similar dreams to follow an art career pathway,
but struggle to overcome the lack of support found in this research. Ultimately, these findings
suggest that, as the world looks for new ways to reinvent thriving industries and embrace new
successes, a fresh look into the opportunities of the Arts should ensue