Creative sector jobs are driving our economy and offer a viable career path for today's youth.
Careers in the creative sector offer flexibility and security. Why then are more young people not seeking them out? Because they believe the myth of the starving artist, which conjures up images of penniless writers and artistic bohemians. The myth leads families and some educators to discourage young people from choosing a path they would love in favour of more secure fields. Years later, they could come to regret that choice.
Mark J. Jones, Dean of the Faculty of Animation, Art and Design at Sheridan College, one of the top post-secondary schools for creative arts and animation in Canada, shows that the persistent belief in the starving artist myth is not just costing young people the opportunity to explore satisfying careers, it is also costing our economy in terms of lost opportunity. Through their education, artists, musicians, writers, media makers, designers, actors, and others have come to understand how to reach their audiences and customers, and are perfectly poised to contribute to the global creative market.
In The Starving Artist Myth, Jones erases any remaining doubt of the opportunities in the creative economy by getting at the underbelly of the stereotype and answering the what, the why, and the how of achieving career goals.
By:
Mark J. Jones
Imprint: Dundurn Press
Country of Publication: Canada
Dimensions:
Height: 228mm,
Width: 152mm,
Spine: 25mm
Weight: 297g
ISBN: 9781459753846
ISBN 10: 1459753844
Pages: 312
Publication Date: 31 October 2024
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Introduction Part One: Why the Starving Artist Myth Needs to Go on Permanent Holiday 1 An Economic Moment 2 Penniless Artists: Origins of the Starving Artist Myth 3 It’s an Industry, Get Over It 4 The Big Tent Industries: Film, Television, Games, & Internet 5 Design a New World 6 Political Tug o’ War: Arts Funding in Creative Career Strategies Part Two: Preparing for a Life in Culture 7 What Is a Career? 8 It Takes More Than Passion 9 Doin’ It for Yourself: Business, Branding, Platforms, and Taxes 10 Artificial Intelligence and the Future of the Creative Industries 11 Post-Secondary Education: Leap First, Look Later Part Three: The Creative Career Guide Part Four: Bridging the Divide 12 Navigating the Starving Artist Myth 13 Do Something Acknowledgements Notes
Mark J. Jones is the Dean for the Faculty of Animation, Art and Design at Sheridan College and the previous chair of the School of Creative Art and Animation at Seneca College. He holds an M.A. in Culture and Technology from Toronto Metropolitan University, and a B.A. in Theatre from York University. He lives in Toronto.
Reviews for The Starving Artist Myth: Bust the Stereotype and Find Success in Creative Careers
A thoughtful and comprehensive exploration of the opportunities available to anyone aspiring to a career in the broadly defined cultural industries. * John Haslett Cuff, award-winning documentary filmmaker * Mark Jones has written a classic. Accessible and erudite, laden with facts about the economic impact generated by 'creative clusters' and peppered with insights from diverse creators, this book shatters, once and for all, the myth of the starving artist. * Ana Serrano, president and vice-chancellor, OCAD University *
