The fate of the starving artist is, unfortunately, a stigma often associated with creatives, and the high cost of specialized education and materials doesn’t help. Luckily, there are numerous opportunities to develop your skills at a low price – if at any cost at all.
Online resources have empowered artists to pursue their dream careers without the fear of going broke in the process. If you are worried that expanding your creative knowledge and awakening inspiration is expensive, think again because all it costs is a little bit of time and energy.
Online Learning
Despite what others might have you believe, you do not need to attend the most high-end art school in the country to have a lucrative career in a creative field. Many universities offer free online courses on multiple subjects.
There are also resources like Skillshare, an online learning community, that is subscription-based and offers up to a whole month free with premium workshop selections. They include free courses as well if you choose to end your subscription after the trial.
Similarly, you can use the endless tutorials on Youtube to broaden your education, and the videos are 100% free. It just takes a bit of research to find the content and channel that fits your needs.
Personal Touch
If online classes don’t work for you, meeting with people in person could be the route for you. Meetup groups could be a way to find others in your community who could provide peer-to-peer mentoring or, at the very least, is a great networking opportunity.
These groups allow mutual constructive feedback on each other’s work and create a productive learning environment to grow your skills while helping others in the process. Sometimes teaching is the best way to learn!
Barter Smarter
You might prefer a more one-on-one approach when it comes to learning, but in-person classes are out of your price range. Fortunately, there is value in your skills, so use them as your currency.
Perhaps you have an eye for marketing and want to learn an instrument. Visit a local music shop in need of some publicity that is willing to give you free lessons in exchange. Maybe an art studio needs cleaning as a trade for art supplies. Get to know the local businesses in your community, and you may find the resources you need for a little labor in return.
Practice Makes Perfect
Looking up videos will only get you part of the way to your goal – the rest is up to you. If you hope to be a valuable asset to the industry of your dreams, it takes a ton of practice to make yourself indispensable.
Carve out time every day to work on your craft. Every little improvement will bring you closer to your goal. Everyone starts somewhere, so be kind to yourself if you are unhappy with your results because there is always room to grow.
Set Yourself Apart
Odds are there are hundreds of other people who want the same thing you do, so it is imperative that you find ways to make yourself seen. You can find a niche and make it your specialty.
Become proficient in various programs and mediums, show versatility in your art style, learn different instruments. Anything that will help you stand out in the competitive market will be critical if you want to move up in your career. The beauty of being a creative is that everyone has a unique perspective and talent to offer, and there is someone out there who needs yours.
Tackle Your Finances
It may not be as fun as the creative side, but the best way to save money is to learn how to handle it. Take some time to budget your expenses and maximize your earnings. Learn the business side of your craft so you are better prepared to succeed in the future.
The goal is to be successful in a profession you love and are proud of, so understanding where your money goes will allow you to turn a dead-end hobby into a lucrative career. If you aren’t sure where to start, all the same resources above are available to teach you how to manage your finances.
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