Thesis
C.R.E.A.M.: capitalism ruins every artistic maker?
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Jun 2022
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00001314
Abstract
The American workforce gives little credibility to creative economy jobs. This research seeks to explore the hesitancy for pursuing creative vocations as a financially stable career amid the capitalist principles emphasized in American public schools. The research uses a lens of racial capitalism to evaluate American schools and economics; artists of identities underrepresented in creative fields were prioritized. Ten individuals working professionally in a creative field answered questions about their economic upbringings, their parent/guardians' view of the arts, their first remembered arts experiences, and reflected on how well equipped their schools were to support the arts. Overall, participants reported early arts exposure influencing the trajectory of their careers. The participants from self-described middle-class families felt more comfortable pursuing their arts careers and noted familial or financial support to fall back on; the interviewees without this safety net reported taking fewer risks in their careers. Economic class proved to be an equal or larger barrier to participant's financial stability in the arts than all other factors. Almost unanimously the participants cited no support from their school counselors and career services regarding arts after high school. Likewise, interviewees shared anecdotes of gawking, irreverence, and disrespect from family, strangers, and peers about their arts career. These findings hold insight about arts educational policy, early childhood development, and intersections of race, culture, class, and labor.
Metrics
67 File views/ downloads
102 Record Views
Details
- Title
- C.R.E.A.M.
- Creators
- Danielle Kristen Bunch
- Contributors
- Andrew Zitcer (Advisor)Pamela Yau (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- vii, 47 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Arts Administration; Arts and Entertainment Enterprise; Drexel University; Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design
- Other Identifier
- 991019104705704721