Art Major

• What is Art?
• What are Some Specializations Within this Broad Major?
• What Kinds of Students Major in Art?
• What Courses Do Art Majors Take?
• List of Art Jobs
• What is the Median Salary Range for Art Careers?
• College and University Departments to Consider

What is Art?

An arts program focuses on an individual's development of their imagination and creative thinking processes through one or more artistic means of expression. It helps students express themselves aesthetically and imaginatively by using the language of visual form and symbolic expression. It nurtures creative discovery and provides an understanding of art and artists in an historical context. A major in art is for those who are interested in becoming professional artists, teachers or scholars focusing on artistic media such as painting, sculpture, film studies and photography. Art is an important means for creating and relaying ideas, thereby affecting our culture.

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What are Some Specializations Within this Broad Major?

Various specializations related to a major in Art may be offered by colleges and universities. These specializations may be of greater or lesser interest to you. A few of these specializations related to this field include, but are not limited to:

Sculpture	Art Conservation Design
Art Education	Art History
Art Therapy	Arts Management
Ceramics	Creative Writing
Dance	Drawing
Fashion Design	Film
Fine Arts	Graphic Design
Illustration	Industrial Design
Museum Administration	Music
Painting	Photography
Print Making	Theater

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What Kinds of Students Major in Art?

Art as a major encompasses many topics. Therefore, there is a wide range of individuals who will enjoy taking art as a major. Artistic individuals are able to draw, paint write or design are primary candidates for this major. They may also have a keen sense of music and know how to play an instrument. Hobbies for art students may involve playing music, painting, attending plays, attending the theater, analyzing movies, writing creatively, drawing, or reading.

Is Art the right major for you?
Take the MyMajors Quiz and find out if it is one of your top recommended majors!

What Courses Do Art Majors Take?

The required and elective courses you would take for Art majors vary considerably among institutions. Courses are listed here that are illustrative of the breadth of topics you are likely to experience were you to major in this field.

Ceramics	Drawing
Foreign Languages	Graphic Design
History of Art	Painting
Print Making	Sculpture
Visual Arts	Water Color
Western Art

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List of Potential Jobs in Art

These professions and professional organizations illustrate the types of positions you might qualify for if you complete this major. Some majors are more directly related to employment than others, however. You should consider the likelihood of employment after graduation carefully, if you do not plan to go on for graduate work in a field. Even with the completion of graduate work in some fields, however, employment is difficult, so you should determine what the prospects are for this or any major. Employment possibilities are often enhanced by the selecting employment-related courses and by the enrollment in second major or in a minor.

Advertising	Animation
Art	Art Teacher
Business Law	Desktop Publishing
Illustration	Special Effects
Web Design

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What is the Median Salary Range for Art Careers?

U.S. Median Salary(starting):$35,800

U.S. Median Salary(mid-career):$62,400

Note: These numbers are national averages so you could make more or less than these amounts. Actual expected salaries will vary depending on your chosen career path, experience, and even your geographic location. Are you interested in detailed information about the forecasted demand for a particular profession? Are you interested in the estimated salaries such positions are likely to pay? This government Web site allows you to search on a particular job, whether listed here or not, to give you this information.

Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Colleges and Universities offering majors in Art

MyMajors complete list has 2,051 schools in the USA with a major in Art.
-View the national listing!

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For information on options available to campuses wishing to see their programs listed on MyMajors, contact for details.