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Why artists should study math?


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This is for those parents whose kids insist they don't need to study much math because they are interested in the arts.  My homeschooling friend's daughter is an aspiring film maker who resisted doing much more than the minimum amount of math needed to pursue her craft.  Ultimately she was admitted to NYU film school, and while there was intrigued by a dual MBA/MFA program they offer, specifically to teach artists about the business side of their trade.   Sadly, she didn't bother to apply, though her parents encouraged her, because she just didn't think she could hack the math classes.  

 

I'm posting, hoping that others don't miss out on opportunities they may not have anticipated.   I wonder if there are similar examples out there?  

 

ETA:  Consider this an invitation to post your own stories either pro or con for a strong math training.  I'm giving a presentation at a local homeschooling conference about teaching math, and I need some motivations for the parents attending!  

Edited by daijobu
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Great topic for a conference presentation! 

 

I have a story about the need for math for an animal lover. My dd wants to start her own dog walking, pet sitting and dog treats business. She got the opportunity to apply for funding from an investment company. For her business plan, she needed to have a start-up costs plan, flow-chart for projected costs and profits, figure out exactly how much it cost to make the dog treats (including packaging), all of which required math. These are some the requirements of anyone starting up any business, and the math continues as cash comes in with sales, and goes out with expenses. 

 

I'm sure this all seems obvious for those people who have been involved in their own small business, but it was all new to dd. I know that in the homeschool world, many families are very supportive of entrepreneurship for their children, and math is certainly key in a business, no matter how small.

Edited by wintermom
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Another story would be my ds's youth theatre group. They have a budget for their production, which has to cover costs of scripts, props, set materials, paint, tickets, programs, promotional posters, theatre rental, and even the rights/permission to produce the musical/play. 

 

A lot of similar costs occur with my dd's violin ensemble for their rehearsals and concerts (costs for accompanist, hall rental fees, tickets, programs, extra sound equipment rental, etc.). Setting ticket prices to try and cover the costs, and figuring out how many tickets need to be sold to cover costs.

 

 

 

 

Edited by wintermom
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DD#2 has to do math (proportions, scale) when she's painting with her art teacher. Drives her batty as she HATES math. 

 

So far, everyone has made it clear to artistic DD that she'll have to keep doing math . . . for life. So, I'm  :lurk5:

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We had DH's colleague over for dinner. His wife is an art historian who wanted to get a job at an art museum in 2010. Not a good time to get a job with the financial melt down and all. Well, he taught her super basic programming (the sort that a bit of logical thinking like you learn in Geometry and above enable). When she applied for jobs, the people interviewing her were blown away.  
 

"You mean you know a way to enter the data into a spreadsheet that we've been copying and typing in?"

 

Yes, they didn't know you could write a script to enter data in a spreadsheet. And, in 2010, that art historian got a job at an art museum and was put to task on data, in addition to her normal job. But it got her in the door and set her apart from the bundles of other art historians who were unemployed at the time.

Emily

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A year or so ago, we did a panel of homeschool graduates (some in college, some working, some with their own businesses)--they unanimously agreed that no matter how much math they had done at home, they all found they needed more as they moved on, and wished they had done more math.

 

You really can't even comparison shop without understanding percents, and sometimes some basic algebra. Basic construction projects involve a lot of geometry. Higher level math helps students to develop logic and thinking skills (it's exercise for the brain like running or push-ups for the body). 

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My degree plus math and programming has gotten me in so many doors.

 

Math is hard work that few want to do. That is why it's valued. I tell my kids, you don't have to like it, you just have to do it. Yes, it's hard. That's why it is called work.

 

Sorry about your friend's daughter. I would let her know it is never too late and you can always pre-take a class (audit) then take for credit. I and one other man did that for the stats pre-req I took after 17 years of no math. Never say die. Ever. :)

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My degree plus math and programming has gotten me in so many doors.

 

Math is hard work that few want to do. That is why it's valued. I tell my kids, you don't have to like it, you just have to do it. Yes, it's hard. That's why it is called work.

 

 

This is a really good message.  I also like the "you never know what the future will hold" message, whether it's an MBA, an accounting degree or something else unexpected that requires quantitative skills.

 

Keep the stories coming!  These real life anecdotes will help me drive the point home.  

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We had DH's colleague over for dinner. His wife is an art historian who wanted to get a job at an art museum in 2010. Not a good time to get a job with the financial melt down and all. Well, he taught her super basic programming (the sort that a bit of logical thinking like you learn in Geometry and above enable). When she applied for jobs, the people interviewing her were blown away.  

 

"You mean you know a way to enter the data into a spreadsheet that we've been copying and typing in?"

 

Yes, they didn't know you could write a script to enter data in a spreadsheet. And, in 2010, that art historian got a job at an art museum and was put to task on data, in addition to her normal job. But it got her in the door and set her apart from the bundles of other art historians who were unemployed at the time.

Emily

 

This is a great story.  Thank you!  

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My SIL works for a state/county gov agency helping farmers apply for grants in order to make their farms more efficient and environmentally responsible.  I don't remember what her degree is specifically but something to do with the environment.  She says she wished her degree required business classes and a few engineering classes as most of her work (and most of the jobs looking for those with the same college degree) is approving or improving grant proposals and being in the field doing surveying and calculations for projects.  

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I read an article in SciAm years ago about archeologists using computer models (read: math) to figure out why some Native American civilizations (I think the Anasazi?) collapsed - I'm thinking it might be this article, maybe your library can let you read it for free:

 

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/simulating-ancient-societ/

 

Archeologist hadn't exactly been on the top of my list of "careers for which math is useful", but there you go.

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Because maths is art 😠You know the golden ratio and music is all based on maths too ...

 

I know that's not what you're looking for, it's just what sprang to mind.

 

Honestly though as art becomes more digital maths becomes a part of it. Also there are art type careers in presenting science and math information in an accessible way - but you have to understand the math to be able to do it.

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