Visual Arts at Northwest offers a wide variety of artistic experience to help young artists discover their true passions while preparing for transfer to the four-year college.
Click here for course listings and details (Major 405).
Courses
Full-tuition scholarships are available for intended art majors.
Students interested in applying for the scholarship must submit a portfolio of artwork consisting of 10 pieces of art, all neatly matted; high school transcript; list of art awards, achievements or recognitions; and two letters of recommendation, one of which should be from an art instructor.
After the portfolios are reviewed by the Northwest art faculty, those students who show the strongest potential will be called in for a personal interview. After all interviews have been completed, a decision will be made and the students selected will receive a letter of notification regarding their award. Contact Lawayne House for more information.
Education
Many colleges and universities offer programs leading to a bachelor's or master's degree in fine arts. Courses usually include core subjects such as English, social science and natural science, in addition to art history and studio art. Independent schools of art and design also offer postsecondary studio training in the craft, fine, and multimedia arts leading to certificates in the specialties or to an associate or bachelor's degree in fine arts. Typically, these programs focus more intensively on studio work than do the academic programs in a university setting. Those who want to teach fine arts at public elementary or secondary schools usually must have a teaching certificate in addition to a bachelor's degree.
What can I expect from a career in art?
Artists generally fall into one of four categories. Art directors formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual communications. Craft artists create or reproduce handmade objects for sale or exhibition. Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators, create original artwork, using a variety of media and techniques. Multimedia artists and animators create special effects, animation, or other visual images on film, on video, or with computers or other electronic media.
Artists held about 221,900 jobs in 2008. About 60 percent were self-employed. Competition for jobs is expected to remain high for both salaried and freelance jobs in all specialties because the number of people with creative ability and an interest in this career is expected to continue to exceed the number of available openings. Despite the competition, employers and individual clients are always on the lookout for talented and creative artists.
How much can I earn?
Median annual wages of salaried art directors were $76,980 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $54,490 and $108,090. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $40,730, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $154,840. Median annual wages were $80,170 in advertising, public relations and related services.
Median annual wages of salaried craft artists were $29,080. The middle 50 percent earned between $20,730 and $39,120. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $16,290, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $54,550.
Median annual wages of salaried fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators, were $42,650. The middle 50 percent earned between $29,230 and $60,650. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $20,780, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $83,410.
Median annual wages of salaried multimedia artists and animators were $56,330. The middle 50 percent earned between $41,710 and $77,010. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $31,570, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $100,390. Median annual wages were $65,600 in motion picture and video industries, and $52,530 in advertising and related services.
Reference:
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Last Updated Tuesday, August 02 2011 @ 03:28 PM CDT|1,064 Hits 