Are Careers in the Arts Still Relevant in the Information Age?

Updated on September 25, 2019

We are currently several decades within the Digital Age or the Computer Age. This period in our history is also called the Information Age. The immense speed with which we can access data and events from anywhere at any time is astonishing. 

We can get the meaning behind the word euouae from our smartphones. We can view videos about the protests in Hong Kong in real-time. 

We are learning about old and distant things as if they are immediate. We can experience total immersion in a virtual tour of ancient Greece, for example. 

An Internet search for the phrase ”arts college North Carolina” will have courses in VR/AR in some of the results. The technology of Virtual/Augmented Reality touting total immersion is becoming a standard tool in the classroom. 

A Partnership of the Human and the Machine

Computers and digital media have become partners with careers in the arts and design. When the economy has become dependent on information technology, jobs related to arts and design also made use of technology, engineering, and computer programming. 

The dichotomy between computers and the humanities has been proven false.

A quick scan of course contents in an arts program from the search results for arts college North Carolinawill include many subjects related to the use of computers and digital technologies:

  • Interactive Websites
  • Computer games/video games
  • Animation
  • Audio production
  • Sound and visual effects
  • 3d design
  • 3d printing
  • Photography
  • Digital film making (films in digital media)
  • Interior Design
  • Interactive media 

Arts and design are part of the humanities — the study of culture and human society. Through an exploration of the humanities, we study how we process our experience. We learn to ask questions, we learn to reason, and we learn to think critically. We learn to think creatively.

The Need for Creativity

The world needs the arts and design workers to help keep human society human. The world needs the creative expressions of the arts and design workers.

Creativity is a skill developed in art schools, together with hard skills like the ability to use computer programs and to work with various art materials. Any endeavor benefits from the ingenuity and imagination of the artist; therefore, all employers in any business seek workers who possess creativity. Creativity runs across all careers.

Going to an art school will help prepare you for a successful entry into the mainstream world. Your first entry-level job will help you sharpen the skills you earlier gained. You continue learning throughout your job experience. After school, you may also go to online learning institutions to specialize or to widen your knowledge.

Outlook for Arts and Design Careers

Arts and design graduates may be employed in businesses manufacturing consumer products like sportswear and apparel. TV and movie industries also hire many art school graduates.

As global society also depends on digital communication, various non-profits and social and civic organizations need people familiar with using digital media for their campaigns and promotions. Digital Media is also widely used in marketing and public relations. More serious digital media practitioners may gain enough experience and training to assume supervisory and managerial positions.

The BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) project a career outlook of only 3% growth for arts and design occupations. Most of the new employees will be hired in the movie, television, video games, and smartphone industries.

+ posts

Senior Outlook Today is your go-to source for information, inspiration, and connection as you navigate the later years of life. Our team of experts and writers is dedicated to providing relevant and engaging content for seniors, covering topics such as health and wellness, finances, technology and travel.