Column: Fine arts department deserves more recognition

I’ve loved creative writing since I was young. Everything about it: creating characters, fixing a plot, writing for hours at a time. Everything that had to do with being creative, I could find in writing.

But, pursuing that as a career, despite it being my dream and initial major, seemed impossible for me.

I’ve had one person I didn’t even know question my major, and I unfortunately took it to heart and decided to pick a major I thought would be more beneficial.

But that doesn’t mean other people should. I’m a believer in appreciating art, not only because it’s everywhere, but because of the people who do it.

The negativity and the “starving artist myth,” that goes towards art students is really unfair, because the time they spend perfecting and creating new work is amazing. People assume fine arts students are wasting their time, won’t be able to support themselves in the future and are just painting photos, playing instruments or reading lines on a page.

I was looking at some of the course requirements of the fine arts majors, and it’s just amazing how much they have to do to earn a degree. It’s incomparable to other majors, because it’s all creative. It’s not just papers and tests every week — it’s pure imagination, and I respect that so much.

Two of my really good USD friends are in the fine arts department, in theater and art, and despite all of the comments they make towards the lack of funding or the disinterest people have in fine arts, the main focus is just that: their art. They love what they do and they remain passionate despite the stigma people have against artists.

It’s disheartening seeing these friends of mine feel discouraged because their work isn’t being showcased, or because the fine arts department isn’t being funded like, say, athletics.

When I frequent plays at USD, I can feel the actors’ passion. I’ve been to shows that I’ve been sucked into and almost forgot I was watching college students on a stage because it was so good. Then I’d look into the crowd and get really upset that there weren’t many people there. Yet, the actors still performed with such passion.

I’ve watched so many people I know who are artists, actors or musicians struggle, yes, because it’s a tough and competitive field. But their main focus isn’t just making money: artists make their art because they love it.

While I’m not a good example of this, it still makes me proud knowing that I will be able to take time and write every so often. I wish I hadn’t given up on a creative writing degree, because I know it would have suited me, and I would be gaining a lot of experience from it.

Going to support a play, attending the musical concerts or attending art shows are good ways to support the fine arts department. So many people can benefit from going to these events and finding out what the department is doing.

The fine arts deserve much more recognition and support, because it’s a department filled with creative minds.