Fine Art School Programs

At fine art school you will learn more about the field which is dedicated to creating and preserving beauty. A fine arts degree is a blanket term that is used to describe a variety of artistic and creative disciplines.

Fine Arts Degrees

These art and design degree programs were once only used to describe educational programs that taught classical art forms, such as painting, illustration, and sculpture. However, these programs now also involve digital design, including the creation of electronic sculptures, large and small-scale digital art installations, and even artistic expression through the Web. Students who choose to focus on the digital aspects of art and design tend to be in high demand, while those who study only classical art forms may have a hard time gaining employment with their skills.

Locate Fine Art Degree Courses in your area

Search for a Fine Arts Degree Online

In addition, you can request information from Penn Foster about creative and design programs.

Fine Arts Training and Education

The fine arts education that a student receives will depend upon the route that they choose. Students who choose to major in classical art forms will study the theories, histories, and practices of painting, drawing, and creating sculptures. Their courses may include color theory; the techniques of painting, sculpting, and drawing; art critique; pottery; and still life. They may also take classes in postmodern theory, Renaissance era art, abstract art, and contemporary art.

Students who choose a digital arts pathway will take courses including electronics for art making, programming, photography, and Web design. They will also be introduced to 3D and 2D animation, graphic design, sound design, and video production. Many programs also include a heavy theory element involving postmodernism, the history of digital technologies, and art as a social practice.

Fine Arts Careers

Careers for students with fine arts degrees vary greatly. Those who study classical art may be able to secure positions as illustrators, freelance painters, creating prints for publications, or gallery docents. Graduates who have taken courses in museum studies may also apply for gallery management and sales positions.

Graduates from more digital art programs have a wide range of careers to choose from, depending upon their areas of specialization. These fine arts programs graduates often enter into careers involving Web design, video game design, video or audio production, working as technology consultants and installers for museums, designing electronic toys, and those with highly advanced programming or electronic skills may enter into positions as product designers.

Students who wish to extend their job outlooks should pursue graduate degrees and they can do so in fine art degree online programs. These students can then become university level lecturers and professors. Another option that is highly appealing to many graduates from classical art studies is becoming a certified grade school or high school teacher who specializes in fine art.

Expected Salary and Projected Career Growth

Graduates with degree from a fine art school on average command an entry-level salary between $24,000 and $40,000. Graduates with technical skills tend to command higher salaries and also have a wider range of jobs to choose from than those with traditional art skills. Graduates who progress to high-level positions can expect their salaries to increase to somewhere around $50,000 and $85,000.

The job outlook for students who graduate from a fine art school with classical skills is not very optimistic. The industries that require these skills are not growing and teaching positions are dwindling. Students are encouraged to gain skills in graphic design, video production, 3D animation, Web design, and audio production. The digital visual design industries are growing, and graphic design alone is poised to grow by 13% within the next ten years.

Fine art school programs and painting classes