Can I open an art gallery after BFA ?

Q. I will be completing my BFA this year. I am not interested in becoming an artist per se. Is there an alternative glamorous career that I could pursue related to art? Since I come from a business family, money is not a problem. Would it be a good idea to open an Art Gallery?

Pervin Malhotra

Can I open an art gallery after BFA ?

Q. I will be completing my BFA this year. I am not interested in becoming an artist per se. Is there an alternative glamorous career that I could pursue related to art? Since I come from a business family, money is not a problem. Would it be a good idea to open an Art Gallery? — Tara Goel

A. Yes you can make `Art’ your business by opening an art gallery. Don’t get bedazzled by the glitz of the business. While it’s true that glamour sells, a serious art collector is not swayed by the décor of the gallery or the fancy wine and cheese openings.

To run a successful gallery you need to be really passionate and knowledgeable about art. Many swanky art galleries opened by bored / moneyed dilettantes have ended up shutting shop as the owners lacked sound foundation and in-depth knowledge of art and artists.

Many go into this business out of a genuine concern for conserving and promoting art and not just for commercial gains. It’s equally true that at the end of the day some are not able to break even in the initial stages. It would therefore be a good idea to do your homework before you venture into this field.

Gallery owners who’ve made their mark in the field feel that identifying and promoting new talent, prompt payment of artists, proper cataloguing & documentation are the essential pre-requisites for a good gallery. You must literally treat each artwork like a piece of art.

Besides a good location, you also need to network with the media and clients to promote talent and draw customers. You’ll also need to use social media (Instagram, Face Book etc) to market your offerings. A digital marketing professional /outfit could professionally handle this bit for you.

Alternatively, you could also consider opening an online gallery instead. There are several successful ones like Saffronart, etc to learn from. Try focusing on a niche segment or art form to begin with, and add on other genres after you’ve tested the waters, so to say.

Prospects for MBA after BCom

Q.What are my career options if I pursue MCom instead of MBA after completing BCom? — Raveena Gadhiok

A. While an MBA is a professional, job-oriented PG programme in management, an MCom is somewhat more academic & theoretical in content and approach.

After completing your MCom, the main avenues open to you those in Teaching, Accounting & Audit, Taxation, Finance, and Banking.

By adding a BEd to your MCom you will be eligible to teach commerce at the +2 level. Once you clear the NET exam, you can even teach at the college level.

MCom graduates can find suitable openings in financial research and analysis, taxation, stock market, insurance, financial planning and advisory, banking, financial services sales in all kinds of financial product and service providers besides those in accounting, financial processing/modeling and documentation as well as in KPOs.

You can sit for general competitive entrance exams such as the Civil Services or State Selection Commission. Your MCom qualification will also allow you to take the selection exams for the Income Tax, Customs and Excise Departments, Comptroller & Auditor General, Bank Probationary Officers.

Choosing subject for NET

Q. Please tell me if I can take the NET exam in a subject that is different from the one that I pursued at the master’s level? I have done my MA in history. — Yash Sobti

A. Candidates are advised to appear in the subject of their post-graduation only. In case your master’s degree is not covered in the list of 84-odd subjects, only then can you appear in a related subject.

I’m sure you’re aware that the National Eligibility Test (NET) is now conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of UGC for determining the eligibility of Indian nationals for

Asst. Professor or for Junior Research Fellowship & Asst. Professor in Indian universities as well as colleges.

Details: https://nta.ac.in

Should I go for BEd after BCA?

Q.Is it possible to do BEd after completing my BCA? — Urmila Senapati

A. Why not! Any graduate in any academic stream who has the requisite percentage of marks at the bachelor’s level, can do BEd.

However, if you want to be a school teacher, a BCA with BEd will restrict you for a middle school teaching position.

Hence it may be better to get an MCA as well, if you wish to teach computer science at the higher (+2) level where the salary is better. You can do this via distance learning, if you wish.

Moreover, it will leave other options open for working in the industry as well.

Also, you’ll get the opportunity to coach pupils privately in your free time or join a coaching institute alongside.

This will help supplement your income considerably.

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