Author ORCID Identifier
Semester
Spring
Date of Graduation
2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MA
College
College of Creative Arts
Department
Art Education
Committee Chair
Terese Giobbia
Committee Co-Chair
Joseph Galbreath
Committee Member
Debajan Das
Abstract
This thesis examines the contrasting strategies and methods formally trained artists, self- taught artists, naive artists, and outsider artists used to influence their success in their chosen field. The study explored each of their educational backgrounds, available resources, and unique expertises that allowed them to achieve a successful art career. Every pathway has unique advantages and challenges (Langley, 2024). Formally trained artists and exhibiting artists typically have degrees in art from a university or post-secondary art school. My research highlighted the benefits of having a formal art education, a structured learning environment, access to resources, networking opportunities, and professional mentorship. The research was also used to further determine whether the success of a formally trained, self-taught, outsider, or naive artist was influenced by their educational background, skills, opportunities, personal drive, and available resources. To analyze success among artists I used a phenomenology approach to my conceptual framework and quantitative methods of online surveys, which I sent to 43 self- taught and formally educated artists. The qualitative data obtained from the surveys focus on the formal education, strategies, and motivation artists employed in their journey to success. The findings of my study appeared to show that access to these tools increases the likelihood of artists achieving success without the hindrance of building their career from scratch. My research also illuminated how these tools, however, may not be the universal solution to success. A lack of formal constraints allowed for self-taught, outside, and naive artists to develop unconventional techniques and perspectives that lead to more innovative and original artwork. This contrast created a unique understanding of what it truly means to succeed in the field of art.
Recommended Citation
Stolina, Anna, "A Comparison of the Strategies and Methods Influencing Success among Formally Trained Artists v. Outsider, Naive, or Self-Taught Artists" (2025). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 12824.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/12824