Major Spotlight: Fine Arts

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 graduates earn a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.). The art institute is most appropriate for those students who truly wish to immerse themselves in art. Most art schools are located in big cities where students have easy access to the artistic community. B.F.A. programs train students for art-based careers; students may be preparing for a future in fashion, auto or interior design, videogame development, animation or graphic arts. Studio classes require hours of hard work and students at art institutes have little opportunity to gain the breadth of education possible at a liberal arts college.

“All fine arts 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.”

Many art institutes offer a broad, intensive introductory foundation year of studies, including 2- and 3-dimension design studio work and some art history. Art students will have an opportunity to focus on their area of concentration during the latter part of their college education. The emphasis of each art institute differs, even within the same medium such as painting or sculpture. Students need to carefully check each program’s philosophy before selecting which to attend. Art institutes do not offer the variety of extracurricular clubs, sports, and activities that most college students seek and expect. Also, dorms at some art institutes may be basic. Prospective students should arrange for an extended visit before making a final decision.

Students interested in focusing on art but wanting to explore other interests as well might want to consider pursuing an art major at a liberal arts college. Outside interests can serve as an inspiration for artwork and allow students to grow from exposure to a variety of issues and ideas. Career preparation is not the primary focus of B.A. programs. More than half of classes will be 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, with sculpture, painting, drawing and photography, as well as classes in history of art and modern art. Since upper-level students will concentrate in a specific medium, prospective students will want to check the course catalogue for breadth of classes in a preferred field. Although students in B.A. programs do not get the intensity of experience that B.F.A. graduates get, they benefit from the more rounded college-life experience available at a comprehensive institution.

All fine arts 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.Ds.

Fine arts majors may go on to work in a variety of art-related fields. The major provides the initial preparation for careers as commercial artists, art therapists, art editors, critics, museum curators, art educators, art restorers, architects and designers. Learn more about careers in the visual arts by using the Occupational Outlook Handbook found at www.bls.gov or by visiting the website www.collegeart.org.

Possible Career Paths for Fine Arts Majors

  • Advertising Photographer

  • Animator

  • Antiques Appraiser

  • Art Conservator/Framer

  • Art Critic

  • Art Gallery Owner

  • Art Historian

  • Art Restorer

  • Art Therapist

  • Arts Funder

  • Book Designer

  • Caricaturist 

  • Cartoonist

  • Commissioned Portrait Painter

  • Courtroom Artist

  • Custom Linens Designer

  • Glass Blower

  • Graphic Designer

  • Illustrator

  • Jewelry Designer

  • Magazine Art Director

  • Mosaic Artist

  • Natural History Artist

  • Packaging Design Director

  • Painter

  • Paper Artist

  • Pencil Artist

  • Photographer

  • Photojournalist

  • Police Artist/Fingerprint Technician

  • Product Designer

  • Sculptor

  • Set Designer

  • Stained Glass Artist

  • Toy Designer

  • Web Site Designer

  • Wildlife Photographer

Sarah DohlComment