What Can You Do With an Art Degree?

by Sarah Clark
sarah.clark@careertrainingdirectory.com
Career Training Directory Columnist

Art degrees can lead to a variety of careers from photographer to graphic designer. Here are a few of the most common art careers and the degree programs that prepare students for them.

It’s worth noting that the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that nearly all art careers require some postsecondary degree work. And while art jobs are expected to grow at a strong rate in the years ahead, competition for them is expected to grow even faster. That makes having the right training even more important to those interested in an art career.

Teacher

With a bachelor’s or master’s degree in art, you may be able to teach an art class in primary or secondary school. Some private schools make art classes a central focus of children’s primary school education. Art classes are also offered in public schools, particularly at the secondary level, in subjects such as pottery, drawing, and graphic design.

To teach an art class at the college level, you will need at least a master’s degree, but most likely a doctorate degree in an area of fine art (such as sculpture or painting) or art history. The BLS reports that postsecondary teaching jobs are expected to be among the fastest growing in the country in the coming years.

Photographer

Photographers often require a degree in fine arts with an emphasis in photography. A large majority of photographers work for advertising firms, magazines, graphic design firms, and portrait studios. Some also work on a freelance basis, shooting weddings and other celebratory events.

Designer

There are many types of designers—graphic designers create billboards, posters, Web sites, and brochures. Interior designers pull together furniture, textiles, art, and other decorative elements to create appealing residential and commercial interiors. There are also furniture and product designers. Designers typically attend a program focused on their areas of interest, such as industrial design, interior design, or graphic design.

Pursuing an Art Degree

These are just a few art careers that one might pursue. There are, of course, other art careers, such as filmmaker, novelist, and cartoonist, for example. You can learn more about them and the art degrees designed to prepare students to pursue them at the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Web site, www.bls.gov.

Start planning for an exciting career as an artist today!

Sources

The Bureau of Labor Statistics

About the Author

Sarah Clark is a freelance writer who specializes in postsecondary education and career development.