Visual Art/Design
The University of Kansas School of the Arts, which is housed under the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers a BFA or a BA, as well as a MA in Visual Arts. The degrees are divided into eight specializations which are Ceramics, Drawing & Painting, Expanded Media, Metalsmithing/Jewelry, Printmaking, Sculpture, Textiles, and Visual Art Education. The undergraduate program also includes a Professional Activities Seminar that helps prepare seniors for gallery representation, graduate school application, and alternative career options. If students so choose, they may further their education and work towards a Masters in Fine Arts. Individuals graduating with a degree in art often are self-employed, may have multiple jobs at one time, and often teach at some point in their lives.
Sample of Related Skills
- Understand technologies utilized in the creation, dissemination, documentation, and preservation of works of art
- Demonstrate competence with the principles of visual organization, including the ability to work with visual elements in two and three dimensions; color theory and its applications; and drawing
- Apply knowledge of the principles of visual organization to conduct formal analysis of artworks
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of media, technologies and equipment applicable to their area of emphasis. This includes environmentally responsible practice
- Identify the major historical achievements in world art, ethical and formal issues, current processes, and directions of their area(s) of emphasis
- Integrate skills in studio practice, theory, analysis, media and technology to address a variety of art problems, independently and in collaboration with others
- Demonstrate through public exhibition the capability to produce work that embodies a coherent set of artistic and intellectual goals
Popular Career Paths
Art Education: Involves educating others, including children through senior citizens, on art techniques or history, often in a school, community, or healthcare organization.
Corporate Art: Includes assisting companies with corporate art collections and/or communications.
Entrepreneurship: Allows individuals to utilize their talents in art and business to start their own art-based business or organization.
Professional Artist: Involves using artistic talents to create and sell art for profit.
Freelance Work: Entails utilizing one’s network and resources to contract with individuals, companies, or organizations to complete project-based assignments.
Explore More Career Paths
- AIC - online career resources from a professional organization for those interested in the conservation of historic and artistic works
- Association of Teaching Artists - information for professional artists who teach or want to teach
- Makingthedifference.org - online resource for those interested in utilizing their art degree in the federal government
- National Association of Independent Artists - organization that serves to enhance economic well-being of those who exhibit their artwork at quality art shows
- National Portfolio Day Association - national organization for those in the art community who are needing assistance in their portfolios
- Strategic National Arts Alumni Project - annual online survey, data management, and institutional improvement system for arts gradates
- The Curb Center - a national policy center committed to research and teaching that challenges leaders to rethink the place of art and creativity in our world
Jobs to Consider
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Places to Seek Employment
Art Studios Art Shops Art Supply Shops Arts Administrator Corporate Communications Corporate Companies (corporate art collections) Digital Facilities Etsy Shop |
Fashion Houses Film Companies Galleries Jewelry Stores Libraries Local Historical Societies Museums Newspaper/Publishing Houses |
Open Galleries Photographic Darkroom Private Businesses Public/Private Schools Therapy Centers Universities Urban Planning Firms
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View specific employers by state.
Employment Strategies
- Identify areas of interest in visual arts so you can focus your academic and experiences towards these fields.
- Become familiar with the required professional qualifications associated with careers that interest you (i.e. advanced degrees, licensure and/or certifications).
- Consider starting your own business, doing freelance work, or working several part-time positions at once.
- Gain direct experience within the areas that interest you most through research projects, independent study, internships, part-time jobs, student organization involvement, or volunteering.
- Register for HireJayhawks.com and subscribe to the Internship Newsletter to receive automated weekly emails with specific internship information.
- Consider joining a professional organization related to your area of interest in visual arts/design, and if possible, attend local and or regional conferences to network with professionals working in your field.
- Earn a minor or take additional coursework outside your major when relevant.
- Maintain a strong GPA if you are considering pursuing graduate or professional education.
- Consider getting involved with a student organization at KU related to your area of interest.
Job and Internship Search Resources
- American Association of Museums - national job listings board for those interested in working in museums from a professional organization
- Americans for the ARTS - job bank with careers in the arts
- Apparel Executives - job listings for both internships and full-time positions in the apparel and fashion industries
- ArtistsRegister.com - list of excellent opportunities for competitions, internships, exhibitions, festivals and fairs, film, and public art
- ArtSchools - online resource for portfolio preparation for college and employment opportunities
- Creative Hotlist - online search engine geared towards career development in the art fields
- Coroflot - online resource for the "creative world at work" featuring job listings board, portfolio advice, groups, and general career advice
- Design Addict - resource featuring over 5000 links in all fields regarding visual arts/design such as museums, collectors, associations, and artists
- Incredible @rt Department - national job listings board arranged by state which offers a variety of art related jobs
- National Art Education Association - premier electronic recruitment resource for the profession, includes job listings
The quick link for this page is career.ku.edu/visualart.
Go back to Careers & KU Majors homepage.