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[an error occurred while processing this directive] Career Opportunities for Majors in Visual Arts

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 Nonprofit 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

Game Designer

Sales Assistant
Cartoonist Graphic Artist Store Manager
Ceramic Artist Illustrator Textile Designer
  Interior Designer Web Designer



Types of Employers

Private & Nonprofit Organizations    
Apparel Manufacturers/Textile Mills Craft Guilds  Museums / Historical Societies 
Architecture/Engineering Firms

Elementary and Secondary Schools

Photo Agencies & Studios
Art Galleries Hospitals / Nursing Homes / Rehabilitation Centers Public Relations / Advertising Firms
Art Publications Independent Production Companies Publishing Houses
Auction Houses Libraries Retail Stores

Colleges and Universities

Media Organizations Schools / Colleges / Community Programs / Camps
Corporate Communications    

Government Agencies    
Commission of Fine Arts

National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs

Office of International Education
Cultural Affairs National Endowment for the Arts Peace Corps/AmeriCorps
Institute of Museum and Library Services National Endowment for the Humanities Smithsonian Institution
National Archives NJ Department of Education Travel and Tourism Department

 

  US Department of Education



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  
Art Critic, "Artscribe International" Fashion/Interior Designer, Norwood Oliver Design (Additional Training in Fashion)
Art Teacher, NYC Board of Education Freelance Artist, Self Employed
Art Therapist, The Lehman Center (Adv. Training) Gallery Director/Owner, Robert Miller Gallery
Artist, Kendall Center for the Arts Instructor, Parsons School of Design
Artist, Self Employed Owner, Plumstead Stained Glass Design
Artist/Curator, The Pumphouse Gallery Papermaker, Rutgers Ctr. for Innovative Printmaking
Asst. Contracts Manager, Harry Abrams, Inc. President, Star River Productions
Associate Editor, Daily Challenge Production Artist, 160over90
Associate Producer, NJN Public Television’s State of the Arts Professor of Art, Rutgers University
Chair, Art Department, UCLA Researcher/Recruiter, Career Management, Inc
Design Director, Creative Garment Sr. Editor, Modern Black Men Magazine
Director of Development, Tisch School of Arts Sr. Graphic Designer, Princeton Graphic Prod.
Director of Photography, The Peddie School Sr. VP/Editor-in-Chief, Black Enterprise Magazine
Drawing Instructor, University of Toledo Studio Artist, Institute for Contemporary Art Museum
Editorial Assistant, University of Penn. Press VP, Distribution Developer, for Various Distributors
Exhibition Designer, Yale Center for British Art  



Graduate Schools Attended

Georgia Southern University, MA, Education
Montclair University, MA, Art Education

Rutgers University, MA, Visual Arts
Western Illinois University, MA, Communication




Additionally, you may:




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Last Updated: 04/07/2011

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