Visual Art

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.

KU School of the Arts Website

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.

Jobs to Consider

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

Explore More Career 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

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

National Art Education Association - premier electronic recruitment resource for the profession, includes job listings

Cultural Heritage - 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