My History with Art by Emily

My History with Art by Emily - February 2024 Scholarship Essay

Ever since I was five I've loved art. My father was a comic book artist. While I loved this, and I found his job incredibly interesting, it was hard for me to watch my parents struggle to pay bills and make sacrifices to keep us well fed. I decided early on that I was never going to be able to pursue art, no matter how much it meant to me.
As I furthered my education, I was trying to find alternate careers that would interest me. I considered teaching, maybe elementary, maybe english. I thought about becoming an architect, or a screenplay writer. I didn't hate the idea of any of these professions, they were all perfectly acceptable; But none of them felt like me. I wasn't passionate about any of this. I continued to draw and paint, to get as skilled as I could in art.
Eventually, I decided I would become an English teacher. I made this decision rather early on in my high school career. I was fifteen. The summer after my sophomore year, I took a summer course in Art History. It was easily the most interesting class I had taken. I had always had an interest in different cultures, religions, beliefs, this was all of that in one. Understanding how art shapes humanity, and humanity art, was so incredibly fascinating to me.
My junior year, when I took AP US History, I became sure in what I wanted to do. Watching my teacher lecture, and seeing how engaged the students were was so important to me. My teacher and some of the students were able to form such a connection over their love for history. I craved that connection. All I want is to be able to introduce a student to a subject that they can fall in love with.
My plan is obtained my doctorates in history of art so I can teach it at a college level. I want to be able to engage with students who are taking this course not because they have to, but because they have a genuine interest in the arts. Art has always been such an incredibly important part of my life, as I grow into an adult it'll mean so much to be able to carry this love with me.