Online Associates Degree in Fine Arts

In the art world, education can be as important as inspiration; both creative talent and technical ability are valued. Associate degrees in fine arts offer targeted training in a multifaceted field. You might choose a generalist degree in preparation for a bachelor's degree in fine arts, or you could choose to specialize in fields like these:

1. Fashion design
2. Graphic design
3. Photography
4. Printmaking
5. Studio art

Coursework for associate degrees in fine arts will vary based on your specialization. For example, a studio art program spans figure drawing, color theory, painting and so on. With a graphic design focus, you're likely to study typography as well as computer design hardware and software. Art programs often incorporate technology. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that multimedia and animation artists need to be familiar with the electronic tools used in products such as computer games, movies, music videos and commercials.

Fine arts job outlook and salary

Employment options in the fine arts world are as varied as your imagination. With a high-tech graphic design associate degree, you could seek employment as a webmaster or entry level graphic designer. A photography degree could lead you towards photojournalism, wedding photography and other career paths such as scientific or aerial photography.

The BLS lists the following 2010 mean annual wages for careers related to fine arts degrees:

1. Fine artists, including painters, sculptors and illustrators: $53,080
2. Graphic designers: $48,140
3. Multimedia artists and animators: $63,440
4. Photographers: $35,980

Employment prospects vary widely by career.

Careers in the arts

For the 2010-2020 period, the BLS projects slower than average growth in employment for graphic designers, fine artists, and even multimedia artists and animators. The BLS also reports that a bachelor's degree is a typical qualification for entering these art careers. In the competitive art world, education and technical abilities can be valuable bargaining chips.

Your training won't be the only thing potential employers look at on your resume -- your creative portfolio will also have a significant effect on your chances. For this reason, many aspiring artists choose to pursue more education in the form of bachelor's and master's degrees. Earning a degree in fine arts online can be your first step towards a lifelong dedication to a creative career.

In the art world, education can be as important as inspiration; both creative talent and technical ability are valued. Associate degrees in fine arts offer targeted training in a multifaceted field. You might choose a generalist degree in preparation for a bachelor's degree in fine arts, or you could choose to specialize in fields like these:

1. Fashion design
2. Graphic design
3. Photography
4. Printmaking
5. Studio art

Coursework for associate degrees in fine arts will vary based on your specialization. For example, a studio art program spans figure drawing, color theory, painting and so on. With a graphic design focus, you're likely to study typography as well as computer design hardware and software. Art programs often incorporate technology. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that multimedia and animation artists need to …