Do you have a passion for painting, drawing or designing but feel unsure about how you can turn your love of art into a career? Bachelor’s programs in fine or visual arts or in design can help you achieve your goal of a fulfilling career. Students interested in the visual arts may choose to pursue their passion either at a specialized art institute or as an art major at a more comprehensive college. Art schools generally award a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree, while liberal arts college grads earn a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.). The art institute is most appropriate for those individuals who truly wish to immerse themselves in art. Most art schools are located in big cities where their students can have easy access to the artistic community. B.F.A. programs train their constituents for art-based careers; students may prepare for a future in fashion, auto or interior design, videogame development, animation or the graphic arts. It’s important to consider, however, that studio art classes require hours of hard work and students at art institutes have little time or opportunity to get the breadth of education that is possible at a liberal arts college.
At the art institute, you’ll generally start with foundation courses such as basic design and history of art, and will have an opportunity to focus on your area of concentration during the later part of your studies. The emphasis of each art institute differs, even within the same medium such as painting or sculpture. You’ll want to check each program’s philosophy before committing to attend. Art institutes do not offer the variety of extracurricular clubs, sports and activities that many college students seek and expect. Dorms also tend to be pretty basic so try to come for an extended visit before making a final decision.
If you’re interested in focusing on art but still want to have opportunities to explore other interests, consider pursuing an art major at a liberal arts college. Often, it is your other interests that serve as inspiration for your art work. The exposure to a variety of issues and ideas will help you to grow and mature. Career preparation is not the primary focus of B.A. programs. Over half of your education is in areas other than art, with substantial study in the humanities, social sciences and physical sciences. Typical programs for studio art majors include foundation courses in the arts including work in sculpture, painting, drawing, and photography, as well as classes in the history of art and modern art. Since upper level students concentrate in a specific medium, you’ll want to check the college catalogue to see the breadth of classes offered in your preferred field. Although students in Bachelor of Arts programs do not get the intensity of experience that B.F.A. graduates have, they do benefit from the more rounded college-life experience available at a comprehensive institution. You might even find yourself developing a passion for another field outside of art.
Careers for Art & Design Majors
All art majors should seek out internships in galleries or museums, apprenticeships with working artists or employment in architectural or design firms in order to gain real-world experience. Both the B.F.A. and B.A. programs prepare students for graduate programs in the arts. A master’s degree is generally required for those hoping for employment in museums and galleries or for teaching at the high school level. Museum curators and directors, and college professors may have Ph.D.s. Art majors may go on to work in a variety of art-related fields. The major provides the initial preparation required for careers in commercial art or other areas such as art therapy, art editor, critic, museum curator, art educator, art restorer, architect or designer. You can learn more about careers in the visual arts by using the Occupational Outlook Handbook at www.bls.gov.
Fastest Growing Jobs for Art & Design Majors
Animator— typically works as part of a team to develop and produce a film, visual effect or video game.
Art Director—dictates the visual style of newspapers, magazines, movie and television productions and other media.
Fashion Designer—designs and creates original clothing and accessories.
Film Director—creates motion pictures, television shows and video productions from script to finished product.
Graphic Designer—uses computer software to create visual concepts, such as images, logos or brochures that deliver a message chosen by their clients.
Interior Designer—designs and oversees the construction of interior spaces that are functional, safe and attractive.
Landscape Architect—plans and designs land areas for parks, highways, college campuses, airports, and other private, commercial or government properties.
Photographer—uses technical skills and knowledge to capture images of an event or tell a story visually.
