Forty professional local artists joined the third annual Art Career Day Conference Saturday, April 6, to share their experience with students on how to achieve a successful career in arts.

“When you’re really young, it is so scary and so hard to talk to the professionals that you’re in awe of them,” said Julie McLeod, Art Without Limits founder. “This is giving them an opportunity to work with the artists.”

Twelve art organizations in Santa Barbara, including City College, the theater arts department and the Art Without Limits organization, sponsored this event in a response to budget cuts in arts education.

The conference took place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Business-Communication forum and classrooms on West Campus.

Film music composer Brad Fiedel was one of the speakers. He scored various movies including all five Terminator films.

“I’m in a time in my life where I’m doing a lot of things that I hope to give back to people… ” Fiedel said. “It feels really good to … be of service, especially to young people who are interested in the creative fields.”

Fiedel said although he ended up making a lot of money, his motivation was always his love of films and music.

“I love the amount of art and creativity and wonderful people who are willing to give in Santa Barbara,” said McLeod. “It is this kind of attitude that’s going to pull us through this economic crunch.”

The 40 artists provided answers to questions they had when they were young to approximately 100 high school and City College students.