Why I'm Slowing Down

After more than 6 years and 220+ videos, it's time for The Art Assignment take a break, slow down production, and reassess what educational art content should look like in 2020 and beyond. Sarah Urist Green talks about what she's learned while making this channel and what she'd like to do next (after sleeping for a while).

Thanks to our Grandmasters of the Arts Divide By Zero Collection and David Golden, and to all of our patrons, especially Anthony Chivetta, Rich Clarey, Iain Eudailey, Tom Forwood, Patrick Hanna, Andrew Huynh, Eve Leonard, Audrey Mak Tung, David Moore, Jane Quale, Gabriel Civita Ramirez, Andrew Sheeler, Boris Silantiev, Josh Thomas, Constance Urist, and Roberta Zaphiriou. We are more grateful for you than you'll ever know!

[phillipbrown]

I'm pretty sure I've never commented on a YouTube video, and I'm not sure if you'll even see this, but I just wanted to say what so many are saying in the comments—this is one of my favorite YouTube channels, and I am consistently inspired by the wide range of content you've created. I so appreciate your thoughtfulness, self-awareness, nuance, (and humor!) when talking about art and art history. It has enriched my life. Sometimes it's hard to know if what you make and put out in the world matters—please know that it matters. Thank you for your years of effort. Enjoy your well-deserved break!

[JohnWilsonComicsGuy]

Don't be gone forever, Sarah. There needs to be a Crash Course: Art History and you need to be in charge of it.

[sixty]

I hope I speak for us all when I say that I eagerly look forward to whatever comes next for The Art Assignment. Good Luck!

[ArielBissett]

Good for you! YouTube channels shouldn't just exist in one way (permanent consistent output), you do you!! These videos are still here to enjoy and who knows what will come from this new era!

[davidschmidt]

I'm just surprised Sarah's bangs have lasted this long in the pandemic.

[Mariana-jrgh]

I have an art's degree and after the university, I was completely done with the art world. Its prepotency, its empty speeches and general vibe of "look how cool and smart I am". But finding you give me some fresh air about all that I knew and already liked. So thank you for reminding me that I don't need to be afraid/bored to talk or listen about art.
And this is the only channel that I would recommend to anyone that want/need to be taught about Art.

[sharanadonnanana]

Why is everyone quitting YouTube rn. I guess as we all have been at homes blowing our brains out, youtubers too have been working so much. I fully understand and appreciate your opinion. Stay safe, stay happy

[jingzheng]

I revisited this video throughout the past 2 years several times.

[anuel]

You deserve the break, you've done wonders to how i now think about art, i would probably cite you as the biggest influence to how I've now become so much more interested in the how of art, why does it make me feel this, how does it achieve, what is it in the larger context. Albeit I am doing that more so in music rather than visual art (although I stan Ivan Seal's work) lol.
Overall, thank you for 6 years of great content, and here's to your deserved break!

[eddieh]

I am 14 and back in 2019 I kinda just drew drawing ever once and a while. Then I came across your channel and I took a deep dive into art history. I got very inspired by art from 1960 to the present and you 100% got me there. I took art classes and drew every day. I pulled together a portfolio in about a year and now I am going to an art high school. I am happy and found my passion and how I want to spend my life. This would not of happened with out you and I want you to know how much this channel means to me. Thank you so much

[tteerreesaa]

this channel has taught me many things for many years and i am a little sad to see it slow down. however, im looking forward to the new, better content you will be putting out!!! thank you for everything in the past and in the future too. <3

[j.pocket]

Artist's Confession: The "necessarily incomplete" nature of this channel completes me out of necessity.
(I appreciate you Sarah and support staff. You've earned yourself some downtime. Enjoy!)
Cheers!

[bibobeuba]

I love The Art Assignment and I honestly think it is one of the most interesting channels on youtube. I have learned so much about art that I wouldn't have learned otherwise, and I especially appreciated the "The Case for..." videos as they helped me to think about some issues from another perspective. I also like the sound of your voice and find it somewhat comforting. And last but not least I want to give a huuuge thanks for putting subtitles on most of your videos, especially the latest ones. I think I don't speak just for myself if I say that this channel is also very popular outside the US, and us non-native English speakers ( I am from Germany) sometimes find it a bit challenging to understand everything that is being said. So thank you for this effort for us non-American folks out there! Greetings from Germany :)

[kabatakim]

this video makes me feel as if I have found a time capsule. I am sad that I wasn't part of the journey before, but I am glad that I can retrace the footsteps this community has made as I long for the return. And so we begin.

[roniguilherme]

I was not here for the 6 years, but I’ve been here for at least 4, and you people really made diference on my life.

Thank you,

A Visual Art student,
from Boa Vista - Roraima - Brasil 🇧🇷

[kateflorenososs]

You can definitely hear the shift in her voice when she said "I'm exhausted". Get your much needed rest, Sarah. We will be waiting for you. Patiently.

[annieroan]

i love you and your voice, thank you for everything.

[alexchancock]

The best art related channel I have found. Totally brilliant work. I predict a bright future for you in whatever you do.

[hmhegedus]

I enjoy the videos, I enjoy your voice, I enjoy your point of view, I enjoy your topics. If I "thumb up" for this video am I saying I'd like you to stop? NO! I pressed "thumb up" to support your decision, and for the fervent hope that you'll continue even it's every now and then.

[tkd]

I feel like I just sat through an "it's not you, it's me" breakup. The thing is that I knew how special these videos were as I listened through the years. Even if I took months long breaks, I would then binge what I missed and be comfortably up to date. I could sit here and make a list of what I like about these episodes, but I'd be left with just that I like them, tremendously. Thank you for the episode "I could do that". I've found myself coming back to that episode often if just for the reminder of how to really see art, and for the kickstart to get out there and make some art of my own.