Artist and teacher : compatible careers?

Abstract

The researcher in this dissertation seeks to investigate whether it is possible or not to succeed both as an artist as well as an art teacher. Besides, the author aims to also investigate whether teaching art is one the only ways by which an artist can earn a living in Malta. The researcher also studies whether a teaching career may have a negative impact on the possibility of succeeding as an artist. This dissertation examines whether the hypothesis that teaching is in fact one of the few solutions to earn a living is only a local issue or a common situation in other countries. This research was followed by interviews with a number of art teachers who are currently teaching at a: Secondary, Post-Secondary or at University level in which the reasons which render teaching a popular profession is investigated. The researcher researched international recent literature on the subject matter. A number of interviews were conducted with art-teachers who have followed or are following both an artistic and teaching career. The researcher has also interviewed a number of present art student-teachers who chose this career path so as to gauge their opinion on the subject matter.