magpin

Thanks so much for your detailed response!! (I definitely I know one of Penn Law students you mentioned, too.) I hadn't thought of looking into certificates and I am actively looking to get involved with the YFPA, so thanks for making those suggestions. I'm currently in the middle of trying to sort through several related-but-different interests of mine to see is the most realistic and well-suited pivot for my career. I would love to hear more about your experience, so I'll follow up with a direct message

This sums up my thought process fairly concisely! There isn't a huge market in Philadelphia for a steady boutique art law practice, so I currently practice business/IP law and do art law related work on the side. I know some people here who have started solo art law practices, but it's rough sailing to say the least. (I also have hours' worth of opinions about how a traditional law practice fundamentally cannot respond to the needs of the specific art market that exists in Philly, but that's neither here nor there.) In my heart of hearts, I know that I need to be working more directly with art instead of merely facilitating business activities that just happen to involve art... so I think I'd like to eventually move away from the traditional practice of law and toward something a little more stimulating and creative. I had originally been applying to PhD programs instead of JD programs back in college, and my largest concern was one of flexibility (which is an even larger concern for me now). I would definitely be looking to work within a commutable distance from Philadelphia, and, given that limitation, I'm concerned that it would limit the utility of the degree. That would be many years down the line, of course, but I guess what I'm saying is that I can't just up and move across the country for a job anymore, and it makes me wonder if that makes diminishes my prospects enough to render the whole effort useless.

I currently put my applications on hold because I'm trying to figure out the best approach to my career as a whole. I also work full-time and already have an advanced degree, so I want to be sure that going back to school actually furthers my career (rather than putting me further in debt for no discernible reason). The degrees I was referring to specifically in this post was UPenn's historic preservation or city planning program, but my heart (and academic background) leans more toward art history, so I'm currently in the midst of that existential crisis haha Because I'm only considering applying to schools within commuting distance of Philadelphia, there is less risk for me terms of traveling expenses for schools/programs I'm uncertain about. If you are unsure of your chances at your top choice, I would maybe visit the others just in case you ended up having to choose between them? Basically, if you think visiting would change your mind or bump up your chance of admission for any reason, it could be worth it but it depends on the time and resources available to you. I'm mostly nervous about whether visiting a school while I'm still figuring out whether I'm interested in pursuing the degree will impact my chance of admission. From a logical standpoint, it seems to me that people should be encouraged to visit a department/program to investigate whether it's a good fit for them, but, realistically, I imagine that programs may end up putting far more stock into students who were decisive and confident? Or maybe it doesn't matter.

I wholeheartedly agree with this. I am pretty well-connected when it comes to the blue chip art scene in Philadelphia. The only problem is that they know me primarily for my legal work and less for my art history acumen. I think you're right to say that this is something I should be able to convey in conversation, and I'm sure they would let me know if they would prefer to work with someone who has stronger, more pointed art history background. Thanks!

Hi! No, unfortunately I haven't, and it remains something I debate fiercely with myself every day. I would love to hear about your thought process as you make your decision! I'm mostly anxious about taking on loans and an uncertain career trajectory, so my decision ultimately comes down to whether I want to take the leap. I know many attorneys who did an MA or a PhD in Art History and History before going to law school, but that typically lends itself to a very different career path.

Hi guys, I'm in need of some general advice. I graduated from Bryn Mawr with a degree in History (GPA: 3.64), but focused all of my research, including my thesis, on art history. Instead of continuing down the academic path and accepting an offer to pursue an M.A. at Boston College, I turned it down to go to law school instead. (The choice was made easier by the fact that I essentially got a full ride.) Most of my research in college had dealt with images of Modern European nationalism, and I thought that I could advocate on behalf of artists with first amendment problems, intellectual property issues, etc. I interned with my local Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, the Barnes Foundation, and worked in wealth management to learn more about legacy planning for artists and collectors. Everything was great! I have since graduated from law school and work at a firm that specializes in business and intellectual property. Surprise, surprise, I have never felt further from the arts, and I have never felt less like I am supporting the industry that I wanted to work in. To add insult to injury, my job doesn't really support having outside interests, and, aside from having been invited onto the local Art Law Committee, I don't have the time to offset this terrible career choice with interesting and engaging hobbies. I have discovered that 85% of lawyers have an active distaste for culture, and I am very anxious because I see less and less of a space for myself in this field, especially because I don't (and can't) live in NYC (though Philly is fairly close). While the prospect of taking on more debt by going back to school makes me sweat, I am trying to figure out if there is a benefit to going back and pursuing an M.A. in Art History. I have considered doing Arts Administration, Historic Preservation, and the like, because I really want to have a career that allows me to be on the front lines of the arts community in my city. As much as I love doing research and academia, I think I am happiest when I act as an advocate and/or get involved with a cultural organization that I believe in. Is going back to school worth it, or should I just try to make do in the arts with the credentials that I currently have? I am concerned that programs would ask why a lawyer would want to go back to school to pursue art history, but I think I would be able to justify it. I guess I'm just nervous about making another wrong turn...

I graduated from college with a degree in History (but had focused all of my research, including my thesis, more on art history). Long story short, I could have gone to graduate school to continue down the academic path, but chose to go to law school instead, exactly because I thought that art law would be an ideal amalgam of my skills and interests. I had all the right internships and currently work at a firm that deals with IP, but I have to say that I have never felt further from art/art history. Law is, above all, about business. I don't feel intellectually stimulated and I don't feel that many lawyers value culture and well-roundedness. I am in the middle of trying to figure out my next steps because my current situation is unlivable from a mental health standpoint (all tips appreciated!). I always hated when people tried to talk me out of law school, so let me just say this: if there is a way to get to where you want to go without putting yourself through the experience, I would do that instead. Law and law school is a very unpredictable journey that is pretty heartless. Everyone I knew who had a passion for something got it beaten out of them pretty fast, and now they're robots at big firms. I don't know if I would go so far as to say that I regret it, but, like I said, I have never felt further from the arts.

Ah right, I forgot that I should probably wait until the current application is over. Thanks for your feedback!!

I am currently considering applying for a program that would begin in Fall 2018. I already have an advanced degree and am in the workforce, and my largest concern is really whether or not plunging back into school is worth it (financially, professionally, etc.). Under the circumstances, this would likely be the only school I would apply to, so it is really important that this particular program is a good fit and is beneficial to my career. Basically, I want to figure that out before going into the application/GRE/letters of rec process and getting too too excited, but I feel kind of silly asking to tour 1.5 years before I would even attend? Thoughts?

Thanks for your feedback!! I'm torn because I would love to get the Master's to get a comprehensive overview and understanding of the field, but I also would love to save the money by finding a way to go directly into HP law. My biggest concern with not doing the Master's is that, if I work at a law firm, I get the impression that I would be far more likely to have to work for whatever client comes through the door (who may or may not actually want to *preserve* the space; the people who can pay lawyers at these firms are often the kinds of companies seeking to bypass preservation efforts). I guess I just want to be sure I'm on the "right" side of the effort haha

Hi all! I am tentatively considering going back to school for historical preservation (particularly preservation planning). I have a BA in History from a Seven Sister college (with an emphasis on political art history/nationalism) and a JD. I went to law school because I was interested in the law surrounding cultural institutions and the protection of art/artists and cultural heritage. I've interned at museums, auction houses, private banks, and pro bono arts organizations. I also have a background in tax and trusts & estates. I took two bar exams over the summer and, for the past six months, I've been practicing business/intellectual property law in Philly (where I would like to stay). I am not at all devoted to the idea of being a practicing lawyer forever, but I suppose my biggest fear is that my current set of credentials is not enough to demonstrate a true commitment or background in preservation. I have been looking at Penn's HP program and am in love with the course offerings.... I just don't know if I'm the kind of person that this field is looking for?