Introduction
Students in Visual Arts are guided by accomplished artists/teachers to pursue their goals in ceramics, graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and film/video. A solid background in art history and contemporary critical analysis, as well as core liberal arts courses is provided. This educational approach enables students to graduate from the B.F.A. program with the variety of skills necessary for a career as a creative artist.
Generally, visual artists fall into two categories, "graphic artists" and "fine artists," depending on the artist's purpose in creating a work of art. Graphic artists put their artistic skills and vision at the service of commercial clients, such as major corporations, retail stores, advertising, design, or publishing firms. Fine artists create art to satisfy their own need for self expression, and may display their work in art galleries, museums and homes. Some of their work may be done at the specific request of clients. Fine artists work independently, choosing their mediums and subject matters as they see fit. Often, they specialize in one or more forms of art (i.e., painting, sculpting, or printmaking). In many instances, visual artists work in more commercially connected endeavors, while pursuing their "fine arts" goals.
A Sample of Related Occupations
| Advertising Artist | Cinematographer | Jewelry Designer |
| Animator | Corporate Curator | Landscape Architect |
| Appraiser | Costume Designer | Layout Artist |
| Architecture Model Builder | Courtroom Sketcher | Muralist |
| Archivist | Curatorial Assistant | Non-Profit Administrator |
| Art Teacher | Display/Set Designer | Photo Journalist |
| Art Therapist | Drafter | Product Designer |
| Arts Administrator | Engraver | Production Assistant |
| Arts Conservator | Exhibit Designer | Public Relations Coordinator |
| Arts Critic | Fashion Coordinator | Publications Assistant |
| Book Illustrator | Filmmaker | Restorer |
| Buyer | Freelance Artist | Retail Store Art Director |
| Calligrapher | Graphic Artist | Sales Assistant |
| Cartoonist | Illustrator | Store Manager |
| Ceramic Artist | Interior Designer | Textile Designer |
Types of Employers
| Apparel Manufacturers/Textile Mills | Craft Guilds | Museums / Historical Societies |
| Architecture/Engineering Firms | Federal, State, Local Government | Photo Agencies & Studios |
| Art Galleries | Hospitals/Nursing Homes/Rehab. Centers | Public Relations / Advertising Firms |
| Art Publications | Independent Production Companies | Publishing Houses |
| Auction Houses | Libraries | Retail Stores |
| Corporate Communications | Media Organizations | Schools/Colleges/Community Prgms./Camps |
Jobs Obtained by Rutgers Graduates
| First Jobs of Recent Graduates | |
| Adult Training Specialist, ARC | Manager of Photo Studio, Photo Corp. of America |
| Freelance Graphic Designer, Self Employed | Self-Employed Artist |
| Layout Coordinator | Slide Librarian, Rutgers University |
| Jobs of Experienced Alumni | |
| ArtCritic, "Artscribe International" | ExhibitionDesigner, Yale Center for British Art |
| ArtTeacher, NYC Board of Education | Fashion/Interior Designer, Norwood Oliver Design (Additional Training in Fashion) |
| ArtTherapist, The Lehman Center (Adv. Training) | FreelanceArtist, Self Employed |
| Artist,Kendall Center for the Arts | GalleryDirector/Owner, Robert Miller Gallery |
| Artist,Self Employed | Instructor,Parsons School of Design |
| Artist/Curator,The Pumphouse Gallery | Owner,Plumstead Stained Glass Design |
| Asst.Contracts Manager, Harry Abrams, Inc. | Papermaker,Rutgers Ctr. for Innovative Printmaking |
| Chair,Art Department, UCLA | President,Star River Productions |
| DesignDirector, Creative Garment | Professorof Art, Rutgers University |
| Directorof Development, Tisch School of Arts | SeniorVP/Editor-in-Chief, Black Enterprise Magazine |
| Directorof Photography, The Peddie School | Sr.Graphic Designer, Princeton Graphic Prod. |
| DrawingInstructor, University of Toledo | StudioArtist, Institute for Contemporary Art Museum |
| EditorialAssistant, University of Penn. Press | VP,Distribution Developer, for Various Distributors |
Graduate Schools Attended
| GeorgiaSouthern University, MA, Education | RutgersUniversity, MA, Visual Arts |
| MontclairUniversity, MA, Art Education | WesternIllinois University, MA, Communication |
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Last Updated: 04/24/2009
Last Updated: 04/24/2009