Online Fine Arts Degrees
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Many people have heard the cliché of the "starving artist." But although the life of a fine artist can be difficult economically and amazingly competitive, it is also a vastly interesting, ever-changing, and stimulating field. It is also intensely rewarding to produce work that is admired and treasured. Here you'll be able to find information on how fine artists make a living and see the different niches where fine artists work. Sixty percent of fine artists are self-employed, which allows for a great deal of freedom. However, it also requires discipline, artistic mastery, and business-savvy to maintain a sufficient income. Salaried positions are also available, but competition is intensely difficult.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, fine artists, like sculptors and painters, usually showcase their work in "museums, commercial art galleries, corporate collections, and private homes. Some of their artwork may be commissioned (done on request from clients), but most is sold by the artist or through private art galleries or dealers. The gallery and the artist predetermine how much each will earn from the sale." The art world is a particularly competitive field. Oftentimes, a freelance artists will work a second job as an art critic, columnist, art consultant, or teacher. Other artists work in museums or art galleries and attempt to advance towards the position of a fine art director, which involves planning gallery exhibits. Still others maintain fine art as a hobby.
Featured Accredited Schools Offering Online Fine Arts Degrees
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- Associate
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Certification
Learn more about American InterContinental University
What are some of the specializations within this degree program?
- Illustration: Illustrators create 2-D works for print publication (most commonly for books, advertising, or magazines).
- Sculpting: Sculptors create 3-D works using a wide variety of materials including glass, plaster, wood, clay, wire, plastic and more.
- Sketch (or forensics): Sketch artists use witness testimony to recreate faces of possible suspects in a criminal case.
- Painting: Painting is a 2-D medium within the fine arts. Painters use acrylic, oil-based, and watercolor paints in addition to other materials on a number of different surfaces (like canvas, wood, or paper) to create works of art.
- Restoration: Artists who specialize in restoration help to repair faded and damaged works of art. They reconstruct and repair damaged pieces by cleaning them, touching up areas, and by applying special preservatives to protect the paintings.
What degree levels are available?
- Associate Degree: 2 years to complete
- Bachelor's Degree: 4 years to complete
- Master's Degree: 2 years to complete
- Doctoral Degree: 4-6 years to complete
What are the educational and certification requirements?
A bachelor's or master's degree in the fine arts is especially encouraged for artists who seek salaried positions. Those who go on to obtain a doctoral degree in the fine arts will generally teach at the postsecondary level. Additionally, most bachelor's or master's programs will teach students how to put together and present their portfolio. Internships are another good opportunity for students to develop their portfolio. A portfolio is a collection of an artist's best pieces and are specifically chosen to demonstrate their specialties. These portfolios are an essential piece in applying for a salaried position and art directors and clients will request a well-developed portfolio before considering a contract with an artist.
There are no certification requirements for a freelance fine artist. However, it is recommended to make sure that your choice school is accredited by National Association of Schools of Art and Design. If you are interested in pursuing forensic art, you'll need to seek certification from The International Association for Identification.
What kinds of classes will I be expected to take?
Fine arts degree programs often include courses similar to these ones:
- Drawing: Students will learn techniques involving perspective, proportion, gesture, and foreshortening. Students will use modeling, line, and tone to effectively convey their artistic senses in the course.
- Painting: Students will work within both realism and expressionism as they attempt to learn the true painting process. Color schemes, different brushes, and value relationships will be discussed as well.
- Color Theory: Practical, theoretical, and visual approaches will be taught in order to explain proper color choices in the student's art work.
- Internship: For some advanced degree programs, soon-to-be-graduates will have a chance to intern and gain practical and important professional experience outside of their schooling.
- Thesis Project: For master's degree programs, graduation requirements will sometimes ask for a thesis paper from the student. An oral board will also be a part of the process, as the student will argue his or her findings to the professorial board.
If I pursue this program online, will I be required to complete any on-site training?
Many of the schools offering fine arts degrees will offer a fully online course of study for the student. Many online programs will offer an online interface that will allow the student to accomplish anything they could while on-site -- homework, professorial discussion, and testing -- through one easy to use tool.
One note: If internships are involved with your school curriculum, they will be done on-site. Students should check with individual schools for thesis presentation and internship information to find out if on-site travel will be necessary.
What are some other degrees that are related to this program?
- Graphic Design: Graphic designers seek to use the visual arts as a means of bettering communication. Graphic designers are generally expected to be highly skilled with computer graphic and design software, but the work is not solely technical. Graphic design is a balance of form and content, and it is up to the designer to figure out how to best communicate a given message.
- Multimedia Design: Multimedia designers practice creativity with all of their senses. They design pieces using audio, tactile, and visual mediums. Multimedia designers are expected to have a strong understanding of technology and be able to apply said technology in interesting and unique ways.
- Animation: Animators are typically employed in the film, television, and advertising industries. Technology is continually changing the field of animation and computers are increasingly being used to produce animated works. Thus, it is a good idea to obtain a degree to master the necessary technological skills.
- Interior Design: Interior designers use their knowledge in aesthetics, architecture, and technology to assemble attractive and functional spaces for living, work, and play. A bachelor's degree and a one- to three-year apprenticeship is usually required for those seeking a position at a design firm. Some states also require certification for interior designers.
