The Advantages To Earning A Fine Arts Degree
Earning a fine arts degree offers creative students the theoretical knowledge, technical skills, and educational background necessary to express ideas in multiple mediums and career options. Fine arts degree programs give students a versatile education based in the liberal arts, art history, and art theory, with specialized training in: drawing, illustration, painting, printing, sculpture, photography, and the visual arts. Many fine arts degree programs also offer students concentrated studies in animation, film, printmaking, graphic design, interior design, and other methods of artistic expression. Fine arts programs combine classroom studies with studio projects based in painting, sketching, sculpting, or restoration projects necessary to advance to a variety of employment options.
Many colleges and universities have recognized the increasing demand to extend instruction beyond campus borders as many students manage work and family obligations while completing their degree. Online programs provide students with virtually the same educational experiences as their traditional, on campus counterparts. Online degree programs also offer added benefits like increased flexibility in class scheduling and 24 hour access to course materials. Online classes are generally smaller than traditional, on campus classes, and usually consist of groups of 25 students or less. Online courses also give students a more personalized degree and feature increased interactions with other classmates and instructors through one on one Internet chats. Many students find online programs are one of the most convenient and affordable means of advancing personal, educational, and professional goals necessary for success.
What Students Learn Within A Fine Arts Degree Program
Fine arts degree programs offer students the fundamentals of general education combined with specialized training based upon design concepts, the development of personal artistic style, and the many forms of artistic expression. Most fine arts degree programs offer students means of developing technical expertise and professionalism paired with means of developing, marketing, and promoting talent. Fine arts programs consist of general education training, art history and theory courses, and fundamental knowledge of specialized methods of creating art. There is no formal educational requirement for artists and other professionals in the field of fine arts though many students begin training within associate degree programs. Courses at an associate’s level include: still life painting, metal arts and jewelry, printmaking, welded and fabricated sculpture, introduction to anatomy, the art of moldmaking and casting, fine arts heads and hands, ecorche, sculpture, head and figure sculpture, analysis of form, figure drawing, color and design, figure modeling, introduction to painting: figure, ceramics sculpture; English composition: persuasion and argument, perspective journalism, composition for the artist, Western civilization, college Algebra, designing careers, art history through the 15th Century, and art history through the 19th Century. Graduates with associate’s degrees may advance to employment or continue studies within higher degree programs.
Bachelor degree programs offer students the ability to gain an expanded knowledge in art history, theories, and techniques with specialized training devised upon cultivating creativity and talent. Bachelor level courses include: digital media: photography and imaging; English composition: narrative storytelling; English composition: creative persuasion and argument; perspective journalism; designing careers; Western civilization; U.S. history; urban sociology; art history through the 19th Century; history of industrial design; American art history; topics in world art; history of animation; history of gaming; history and technology of VFX and computer animation; genres of film; history of comics; art history through the 15th Century; art history through the 19th Century; 20th Century art; survey of traditional and contemporary architecture; history of American illustration; history of fashion; history of aesthetics; history of graphic design; photo history and concepts; natural phenomena; college Algebra; geography and museum cultures; printmaking; still life painting; introduction to anatomy; the art of moldmaking and casting; fine arts heads and hands; sculpture; head and figure sculpture; metal arts and jewlery; printmaking; welded and fabricated sculpture; figure sculpture; ceramics sculpture; analysis of form; figure drawing; figure modeling; color and design; composition for the artist; designing careers; and introduction to painting. Graduates who complete bachelor degree programs may gain employment or continue studies within master’s degree programs.
Master’s degree programs offer students the skills and technical knowledge necessary to specialize training and advance to a number of employment opportunities. Courses within master’s degree programs include: introduction to critical practice; still life painting; portrait painting; head drawing; chiaroscuro; professional practices and communication; the Renaissance art world and its classical origins; the art and ideology of the 20th Century; art and ideas of the Enlightenment; renovating tradition: art and ideas of the 19th Century; anthropology: experiencing culture; crossing borders: art and culture in a global society; cultural narratives; research methodlogies; moving image; realization of research and practice; historical and critical perspectives in the visual arts; and an internship experience. Graduates from master’s degree programs often advance to employment or may continue studies within doctoral degree programs.
Doctoral degree programs offer students the ability to be considered experts in the field of fine arts. Courses at a doctoral level include: historical and critical perspectives in the visual arts; music in contemporary context; historical and critical perspectives in theater arts; historical and critical perspectives in music; theater arts in contemporary context; history of aesthetics; contemporary aesthetics; studio practice; social practice workshop; dialogues and practices; fine arts seminar in art history; contemporary art history and theory; dissertation research and writing; and an internship. Graduates who complete studies in doctoral programs often advance to employment as lead instructors or researchers at facilities and universities.
Prospective Jobs For Fine Arts Degree Graduates
Graduates who complete studies within fine arts degree programs generally qualify for a variety of positions within many organizations. Employment for fine arts degree graduates is based upon factors like level of education, area/s of specialty, work experience, and reputation. Graduates who complete associate’s degrees often gain employment as craft artists, fine artists, sketch artists, illustrators, cartoonists, or sculptors. Graduates who complete studies in bachelor degree programs often gain employment as multimedia artists, fine artists, craft artists, illustrators, cartoonists, sketch artists, sculptors, printmakers, art critics, or painting restorers. Some bachelor degree graduates advance to teaching positions within elementary or middle schools with additional training and licensing.
Graduates who master’s degree programs often work as commission painters, art gallery owners, museum curators, art critics, high school or secondary school instructors, portrait or gallery artists, muralists, art directors, or artisans or crafts persons. Graduates who complete doctoral degree programs often work as professional artists, art historians, art directors or administrators, museum directors, art gallery owners, or university instructors within vocational schools, colleges, or universities. As with most design occupations, graduates who complete formal degree programs, gain hands on experiences through internships or employment, and, most importantly, distinguish their reputation through creative, distinct work often find increased employability.
Salary Range For Graduates With Fine Arts Degrees
Graduates who complete fine arts degree programs have earnings which vary tremendously and are dependent upon several factors. Most graduates earnings are based upon area of specialty, level of education, reputation, organization of employment, and geographic location. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports artists’ earnings range from $29,230 to $60,650 annually. Graduates who complete associate or bachelor degree programs and work as craft arts generally earn $20,730 to $39,120 annually. Graduates who complete bachelor level studies and advance to employment as salaried fine artists, painters, sculptors, or illustrators earn from $29,230 to $60,650 annually. Master’s degree graduates who work as art directors generally earn $54,490 to $108,090 annually. Graduates with doctoral degree programs who work as art professors within colleges and universities earn $45,010 to $85,330 annually. Graduates who work as self employed artists generally have low earnings until they establish their reputation and client base and then often have earnings equal to or greater than salaried artist’s salaries.
Career Outlook And Advancement Opportunities For Fine Arts Degree Graduates
Fine arts degree graduates are expected to find ample employment opportunities in a highly competitive industry. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports job growth for artists and professionals with fine arts training is expected to grow by 12 percent through 2018 at a fast as average rate in comparison to other occupations. Due to the number of qualified applicants in comparison to the number of salaried and freelance positions, competition for jobs will be increasingly difficult for graduates who are not established. Despite competition, graduates with fine arts training will find plenty of job opportunities in related fields, like digital and multimedia design, advertising, computer graphics, and animation. Graduates who complete associate or bachelor degree programs often begin entry level employment within firms working closely with more experienced artists and advanced projects with less supervision upon gaining skill.
Many craft, fine, and freelance artists hold full time jobs in addition to their art until they establish their reputation and client base. Graduates with master’s or doctoral degrees often begin employment as art administrators and advance to jobs with greater responsibilities and higher salaries. Many also advance to freelance or teaching positions upon gaining necessary training, establishing a reputation and acquiring funding. Graduates who adapt to changing industry trends and technology while constantly refining their skills often establish rewarding careers as artists within a dynamic field.
