Paper short abstract:

This paper explores how a group of recent fine art graduates conceptualise themselves as artists and understand their creative practice, as well as the labour involved in maintaining the trajectory of becoming an artist.

Paper long abstract:

A prospectus for a degree in fine art at one of Scotland's largest art schools tells us that a degree will make you able to: produce work of art to a professional standard; manage your own projects; develop good time management and self-reflective critique. Yet, a degree is rarely enough to make an artist, in the sense of ensuring continued artistic practice after art school.

To what extend does the art school prepare students for life after art school in an environment where the designation 'fine artist' is more often found in calls for unpaid internships than job advertisements? How do recent graduates deal with the seemingly default-mode of artistic-labor, juggling earning a living and creative practice?

This paper looks at how recent graduates seek to maintain their practice and identity when leaving the relatively sheltered environment of an art school. It takes as a starting point a group of recent fine art graduates that have chosen to stay in the city where they studied. The paper explores how they conceptualise themselves as artists and understand their creative practice, as well as the labour involved in maintaining the trajectory of becoming an artist.

The paper will further discuss the continued presence and influence of the art school on its graduates who choose to stay. It will highlight the importance of other graduates' DIY initiatives, and the professional and personal friendship networks created during art school, all crucial for recent graduates to maintain connected to the city's creative community.