Fine Arts
Introduction
Pursuing a career in a fine art can be achieved in many different ways so it is important for students to understand their options when looking at postsecondary education. To start, what falls under the umbrella of a "fine art"?
- Visual arts: Painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, photography, and architecture
- Performing arts: Music, dance, theater, and opera
- Literary arts: Poetry, prose, and drama
- Graphic arts: Painting, drawing, design, and other forms expressed on flat surfaces
- Plastic arts: Sculpture and modeling
- Decorative arts: Enamelwork, furniture design, and mosaic
- Film: A modern form of fine art
- Video production and editing: A modern form of fine art
- Studio pottery and studio glass: Traditional forms of fine art made in a fine art setting
For more information on how to pursue a degree in these areas of interest, continue below or see the College Essay Guy's Essential Guide for Applying to Art School.
How to apply to art school: the essential Guide
Degree Types
Every student has a different path. For most of these art paths, a student can continue to engage in them, even major in them, at a liberal arts institution. Considering this, a student needs to ask themselves which degree type they want to strive for, a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree or Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree. A BA degree will typically be received from a 4-year college or university and will typically require the student to complete pre-requisite courses, outside of the major of interest (ex. philosophy, science, math, english, etc.). Considering the broad foundation a BA degree provides to students, it can provide greater career flexibility. A BFA degree places more emphasis on a specific career path and therefore will often not require students to take prerequisite courses in subjects such as science, social studies, english, etc. Click the button below for more information on the differences between these degree types.
If a student chooses to apply to a liberal arts university to receive a BA degree, then they will follow similar steps to their fellow degree-seeking students interested in a "core" subject. Please visit our 4-year college timeline for more information.
NOTE: Although it is called a "Bachelor of Arts" that does not mean all schools offering this degree also offer fine arts programming. Please visit the institution's website and talk with an admissions officer about your area of interest.
Postsecondary Institutions for Art Students
Students can receive an arts degree or certificate from numerous institutions. It is important to consider the amount of time a student wants to spend in school and the type of degree a student wants to graduate with (see above). Here is a list of postsecondary routes a student can take to achieve a degree or certificate in an art field:
- Liberal Arts College / University
- Visual / Performing Arts School
- Conservatory
- Community College
- Vocational School
Portfolios
If a student chooses to attend an arts school, they will often be asked to provide a portfolio. Click the tabs and the button below to learn more about portfolio creation.
Auditions
For students interested in pursuing a music or theatre career, they may have interest in a program that requires an audition. Before an audition, a student may be asked to submit a pre-screen video or tape to determine if they qualify for an audition. This tape is typically due early so please be aware of deadlines if this is a path a student wants to take. For more information on prescreen tapes and auditions, please see the resources below.