Careers In The Visual Arts
Looking to make a career of your artistic talents? Being an artist doesn't mean you have to starve! There are actually many ways an artist can earn a living today, especially given advancements in digital arts and the Internet. According to the U.S. Department of Labor 63% percent of artists and those in related occupations are self-employed. While there is keen competition for both salaried positions and freelance work the opportunities are excellent for those with talent and a drive to succeed.
Degree Programs in Visual Arts
Training in visual arts is varied and almost entirely hands on. Typical coursework in a visual arts program will cover color and compositional theory, basic still life and figure drawing, as well as the professional application of visual arts. Through most programs you will be exposed to a wide variety of media including digital formats, painting in oils, acrylics, and watercolors. Some visual arts programs also include courses in art history, presentation, and framing.
Working As An Artist
Professional life as an artist can take many forms. You might find work as an art director, craft artist, or fine artist and you will find that in this field your earnings potential will vary widely as well. For example, the median annual earnings for salaried multi-media artists and animators in 2004 were $50,360, but earnings for fine artists averaged $38,060. You'll find that visual arts skills are applicable in a large number of corporate positions if you're interested in the more stable income that corporate life offers: graphic design, web design, and advertising are excellent career opportunities for artists with formal training. As an artist, even with natural talent, honing your technical skills through a visual arts degree program will help give you an edge over the competition when entering the professional world.
Sources:
Dept. of Labor
• Artists and Related Workers
