Fine/Studio Arts, General

Creative artists find innumerable ways to express themselves when they become fine arts majors. In the major, students might choose to study more traditional fine arts, such as drawing, painting, or sculpture; more contemporary fine arts, such as textiles, photography, ceramics, or digital or graphic art; or a unique combination of the two.

Though education beyond high school is rarely required for a career in fine arts, artists may not have developed their skills enough to be successful without further education. Formal training is available at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. Courses take place in a number of settings and vary greatly depending upon the type of course taught; however, each classroom is appropriate for the subject matter. For example, a photography class would have access to a darkroom, a class in painting would likely occur in a studio, and a class in digital or graphic art might take place in a computer lab. 

Whatever area of fine arts students choose to study, they will take a variety of art-related courses that delve deep into their chosen areas. Students may choose to take more courses in an area in which they feel they are most confident or most skilled in order to further hone their craft, or they may take more courses in areas they want more experience with in order to expand their skillset. Coursework also involves learning how to create a portfolio, maintaining equipment, and even studio management.

It goes without saying that fine arts majors need to be naturally creative and talented in order to be successful. In addition, professors and students often critique one another's work as part of the learning process, so a very important trait of the fine arts major is the ability to give and receive feedback, both positive and negative.

Aside from a career as a fine artist, career opportunities also exist at many different types of organizations, including schools, museums, newspapers, colleges, motion picture/video production companies, advertising agencies, and public relations firms.

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Colleges

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Bay de Noc Community College, more commonly known as Bay College, is a 2-year institution with two locations in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Bay is home to eight career pathways consisting of over 80 degree and certificate programs. Utilizing its...

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I hear a lot of great news about Bay de Noc Community College and I am hoping to attend soon. My friends and other acquaintances tell me of how much success they are retrieving from their classes and can not wait to pursue more of an education there.

” – Jessica from Cornell, MI
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Originally founded as a night school, Terra State Community College is a 2-year institution in northwest Ohio. Terra State is home to academic divisions in Business, Humanities, & Industrial Technologies and Allied Health, Nursing, & Human Services...

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I love it! The instructors are knowledgeable. The curriculum is up to date and valid.

” – Catherine from Sandusky, OH
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Originally founded to serve the educational needs of a large group of returning World War II veterans, Ohio University Eastern is a regional campus in the OU system. OUE grants 13 bachelor’s and two associate degree programs entirely on campus as...

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Northern Vermont University Johnson is a public, 4-year institution established on a rural, 350-acre campus in Lamoille County. NVU Johnson offers nearly 40 major and minor areas of study, four graduate areas of study, and a variety of licensure and...

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Ohio University-Chillicothe is the original regional campus in the OU system and the first regional campus in the state. Ohio Chillicothe is home to more than 20 academic programs and foundational courses for degrees offered at other OU campuses. For...

Cumberland University

Cumberland University is a private university in Lebanon, Tennessee. The university was founded by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1842, and five years later a law school was added, followed by the school of theology in 1854. The Cumberland...

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If you plan on attending all four years, you will make friendships and relationships with your professors who all know you by name and really do want you to be the best you can be. Every professor is looking out for your best interest. One of our...

” – Kristen from Franklin, OH
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Established in 1967, Lakes Region Community College is a public, 2-year institution located in Laconia, New Hampshire. With over 60 associate’s degree and certificate programs offered, LRCC provides students with programs that are designed...

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This is my first time in college I have been to, and it has been a pleasant and easy experience so far. I appreciate all the help I get on the things that I don't understand from the teachers. I am looking forward to graduate from this school.

” – Alfred from Gilford, NH
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As the largest post-secondary school in the state of Nebraska, Metropolitan Community College is a 2-year community college serving Omaha and its surrounding counties. For students looking to transfer to a 4-year institution, MCC has reached...

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Metropolitan Community College is great for students starting out in college. The campus is very welcoming and it is very easy to make new friends. My experience so far at Metro has been so much fun that I wish I could extend my time as a student...

” – Aubrie from Omaha, NE
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Founded in 1962 using a grant from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Institute of American Indian Arts is a tribal college focusing on Native American artwork. Alongside bachelor degrees in creative programs like Studio Arts and Creative Writing, the...

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I have learned so much from this school. It is the ONLY Native American art school in the world! At IAIA, all students are equally assured of the best opportunities for critical, professional and cultural development provided from a Native...

” – Rose from Santa Fe, NM
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With campus a short distance from the White Sands National Monument, New Mexico State University in Alamogordo is a 2-year community college and a branch campus of the NM State system. NM State-Alamogordo is home to 19 degree and certificate-granting...

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The NMSU-A campus is a well-kept campus. Students and professors alike are dedicated to education and broadening horizons. When you're attending NMSU-A, you feel like your time there is well spent.

” – Josephine from Alamogordo, NM
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Established in 1987, Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College is a public, 2-year institution located within the reserve portion of Cloquet, Minnesota, with a satellite facility in Red Lake. The college offers over 30 academic areas of concentration...

CUNY Graduate School and University Center

CUNY Graduate School and University Center is rated as a Doctoral University with Highest Research Activity and set in Midtown Manhattan. The graduate school is home to several research centers and promotes interdisciplinary research and...

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Concordia University Nebraska is a private, Christ-centered institution established in the city of Seward and is part of the Concordia University System. The college’s 85-acre campus is home to over 20 academic buildings and residence halls, and...

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I am a Theology major in the Director of Christian Education (DCE) program here at Concordia and very much like the majority of the class I have taken thus far. I especially like the classes geared towards my two main areas of emphasis and the...

” – Nicholas from Broomfield, CO
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Just a few blocks from the Ohio River, Ohio University-Southern Campus is a regional campus in the OU system. OU Southern offers 30 degree and certificate programs available entirely on campus as well as the opportunity to begin classes in other OU...

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I am learning a lot in all of my classes so far, but I would have to say that the classes that I've learned the most in were General Psychology 101 and Math 102. The instructors made sure that EVERY student understood a topic before they progressed...

” – Brittany from Ironton, OH
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Quinebaug Valley Community College is a 2-year institution in eastern Connecticut and is home to over 50 academic programs granting degrees and certificates. The Quinebaug Valley Education division hosts a Pathways to Teaching program where students...

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QVCC is small and the teacher to student ratio helps you get a lot of one on one help, which is very important. The faculty will help students by being flexible around their work schedules. They will also be flexible when it comes to deadlines. The...

” – Stephanie from Ballouville, CT
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Named for the Thames, Yantic, and Shetucket Rivers, Three Rivers Community College is a 2-year institution in southeast Connecticut. TRCC is home to five academic departments offering associate degree and certificate-granting programs as well as an...

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the class sizes are small and the professors are extremely helpful and go out of their way to provide explanations and assistance. i found the whole school to be very friendly and helpful from president to security officer.

” – Nathanael from Bozrah, CT
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From its hilltop campus overlooking Vermont’s capital city of Montpelier, the Vermont College of Fine Arts is the only graduate school in America exclusively focusing on arts education. VCFA’s master’s degrees encompass a wide array of artistic...

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Ohio University Lancaster is a regional campus in the OU system located southeast of Columbus. OUL offers 12 bachelor’s degree programs on campus including Sport and Lifestyle Studies and Middle Childhood Education as well as the option to begin...

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I think the small class size is a great learning environment. I believe student will succeed in a room where they can speak one on one with their professor. The academic, as well as, athletic programs are very strong and are a great place for...

” – Mason from Pickerington, OH
Bethel College-North Newton

Bethel College is a private, liberal arts institution located in North Newton, Kansas, and is the only college in the state classified as a National Liberal Arts College. The first Mennonite institution founded in North America, Bethel has been...

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The teachers at Bethel are interested in teaching making it easier to learn. There are many majors with highly qualified teachers. There is a challenge to learn new things and people will sit down and help you reach your goal.

” – Orrie from Flagstaff, AZ
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Established in 1946, Ohio University in Zanesville is a public, 4-year institution located in Muskingum County and is one of seven Ohio University campuses and centers. OU Zanesville offers five associate degree programs, 13 bachelor’s degree...

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Middlesex Community College is a public, 2-year institution established in Lowell, Massachusetts, with a satellite campus located in Bedford. MCC offers over 70 degree and certificate programs, with classes available during the day, evening, weekends...

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The MOST AWESOME school experience. Just fantastic professors! Great student body and good learning environment.

” – Cale from Mont Vernon, NH
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With a main campus building created from a former hardware store, Eastern New Mexico University-Ruidoso is a 2-year community college and a branch campus in the ENMU system. ENMU-Ruidoso offers 16 associate degree and 14 certificate-granting programs...

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Established in 1998, Tohono O'odham Community College is a public, tribal institution located in Sells, Arizona. TOCC offers nearly 20 degree programs designed for transfer, as well as nearly 30 Direct Employment and certificate programs. As a member...

Hope College

Hope College is a 4-year liberal arts institute located in downtown Holland. Hope partners with the Reformed Church in America but welcomes students of all faiths, as well as those of no faith. The liberal arts curriculum at Hope is threaded through...

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The academics at Hope are outstanding. Yes, that means the classes can be difficult and a lot of work, but the professors are all excellent; supportive, encouraging, and willing to help you out at virtually any time. They genuinely want you to...

” – Dale from Grandville, MI
Bryn Mawr College

Founded in 1885, Bryn Mawr College is a women’s liberal arts institution in the greater Philadelphia area and part of the Seven Sisters. Bryn Mawr offers undergraduate degrees in 37 majors and was the first women’s college to confer a PhD...

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The campus is absolutely beautiful. The academics are rigorous.

” – Mary from plano, TX
Concordia University-Montreal

Concordia University in Montreal is the best university in Canada under 50 years old, according to the Times Higher Education Young University Rankings, and among the largest, with 50,000 students. Montreal is the number one student city in North...

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