Art Careers

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What Can I Do with an Art Degree?

In addition to becoming K-12 teachers, art majors are employed by art museums and galleries, as well as by publishers, entertainment companies, fashion designers, and corporate marketing communications and public relations departments to create multimedia (print, illustration, photography, website content, etc.) for sales, advertising, and other creative projects. Art graduates are employed as art therapists by hospitals, nursing homes, community agencies, and rehabilitation centers, as well. And, especially talented, independent artists may earn their living creating and selling their artistic works through studios and art shows.

Whether or not our graduates go on to work in an art-related field, they bring their aesthetic sense and creativity to everything they do. While many employers may not actively seek art majors, they are looking for creative problem solvers — a synonym for art major.

Our alumni are professional artists, photographers, graphic designers, teachers, curators, architects and muralists. They are also lawyers, psychologists, editors and entrepreneurs.

  • The B.A. is recommended if you wish to pursue K-12 teaching certification. Students should consult the Education Department regarding additional Nebraska certification requirements.
  • The B.F.A. is the preferred credential for entry-level professional artist positions in design, advertising agencies, and studios.

Graduate Studies

An art degree can lead to graduate study in art, art history, art therapy, or other academic or professional areas.

The B.F.A. stresses intensive and specialized studio practice in the creative art disciplines, and is considered the appropriate preparation for study toward the Master of Fine Arts degree.

Job Opportunities

For detailed information about art career opportunities, see also Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Art.

Commercial Artists: Designers and Illustrators, Graphic Arts

  • Art Director
  • Cartoonist (print, motion picture, TV, etc.)
  • Commercial Designer
  • Creative Director
  • Fashion Artist
  • Graphic Designer
  • Illustrator, medical and scientific
  • Police Artist
  • Production Manager, Advertising

Environmental, Product, and Related Designers

  • Display Designer
  • Fashion Designer
  • Furniture Designer
  • Industrial Designer
  • Interior Designer
  • Manager, Display (retail trade)
  • Package Designer
  • Ornamental-Metalwork Designer
  • Set Designer (motion picture, TV, theatrical, etc.)
  • Stained Glass Artist

Fine Artists

  • Painter
  • Printmaker
  • Sculptor

Photography

  • Camera Operator (motion picture, TV, etc.)
  • Director of Photography
  • Optical-Effects Camera Operator
  • Photographer: Aerial, Scientific, Animation, Still, Finish, etc.
  • Photojournalist

Other

  • Art Teacher
  • Art Therapist
  • Audiovisual Production Specialist
  • Exhibit Artist (museums)
  • Quick Sketch Artist
  • Silhouette Artist
  • Supervisor, Scenic Arts (motion pictures, TV, theatrical, etc.)