Fine Artist (Painter, Sculptor)

Career Overview

Fine art is a visual art considered to have been created primarily for aesthetic and intellectual purposes and judged for its beauty and meaningfulness. This can include paintings, sculptures, drawings, or any other type of art.

Education

Although a college degree isn't necessary to do this work, it will likely lead to more success. A four-year bachelor’s degree in fine arts or a related field will likely be very helpful. A master’s degree in a similar field, which would likely take about two-three additional years to earn, would be even more helpful.

Future Outlook

Overall employment of craft and fine artists is projected to show little or no change from 2019 to 2029. Employment growth for artists depends largely on the overall state of the economy and whether people are willing to spend money on art, because people usually buy art when they can afford to do so.

Work Environment

Many artists work in fine- or commercial-art studios located in office buildings, warehouses, or lofts. Others work in private studios in their homes. Some artists share studio space, where they also may exhibit their work.

Recommended High School Courses

Psychology
Art
Business
Communication
Graphic Arts
Marketing
Photography
Videography

Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Communications and Media - Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Fine Arts - Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Arm-Hand Steadiness - The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Far Vision - The ability to see details at a distance.
Finger Dexterity - The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Manual Dexterity - The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Visual Color Discrimination - The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Develop artistic or design concepts for decoration, exhibition, or commercial purposes.
Build models, patterns, or templates.
Construct distinctive physical objects for artistic, functional, or commercial purposes.
Arrange artwork, products, or props.
Draw detailed or technical illustrations.
Collaborate with others to determine technical details of productions.
Prepare materials for preservation, storage, or display.
Present work to clients for approval.
Send information, materials or documentation.
Conduct research to inform art, designs, or other work.
Coordinate logistics for productions or events.
Maintain records, documents, or other files.
Estimate costs for projects or productions.
Perform marketing activities.
Research new technologies.
Collaborate with others to prepare or perform artistic productions.
Apply finishes to artwork, crafts, or displays.
Monitor current trends.
Operate still or video cameras or related equipment.
Teach classes in area of specialization.
Determine technical requirements of productions or projects.
Create computer-generated graphics or animation.
Entertain public with comedic or dramatic performances.

Schools

Abilene Christian Univers...

Academy Of Art University

Adelphi University

Agnes Scott College

Albion College

Alfred University

Allegheny College

American International Co...

American River College

Angelo State University

Anna Maria College

Antioch College

Appalachian State Univers...

Arcadia University

Arizona State University

Arizona Western College

Arkansas Tech University

Artcenter College Of Desi...

Asbury University

Assumption College

Auburn University

Azusa Pacific University

Ball State University

Bard College

Barry University

Baylor University

Belmont University

Beloit College

Bemidji State University

Bennington College

Berea College

Bethany College- Lindsbor...

Bethel University

Biola University

Birmingham Southern Colle...

Bob Jones University

Boston College

Boston University

Bowdoin College

Bowling Green State Unive...

Bradley University

Brandeis University

Brenau University

Brescia University

Brigham Young University-...

Bryn Mawr College

Bucknell University

California Institute Of T...

California State Universi...

Carleton College

Carnegie Mellon Universit...

Carroll College

Central Arizona College

Central New Mexico Commun...

Centre College

Cerritos College

Colby College

College Of Charleston

College Of Dupage

College Of Saint Elizabet...

College Of St. Benedict A...

College Of The Holy Cross

College Of William And Ma...

College Of Wooster

Connecticut College

Cooper Union

Cornell College

Cypress College

Davidson College

Delta State University

Denison University

Depauw University

Diablo Valley College

Dickinson College

Dickinson State Universit...

Dominican University Of C...

Drew University

Drury University

Durham Technical Communit...

East Central University -...

East Stroudsburg Universi...

Eastern Illinois Universi...

Eastern Michigan Universi...

Eastern University

Eastern Washington Univer...

Eckerd College

Edinboro University

El Camino College

Elon University

Evangel University

Everett Community College

Fairmont State University

Fashion Institute Of Tech...

Fayetteville State Univer...

Flagler College

Florida Atlantic Universi...

Florida International Uni...

Florida State University

Fontbonne University

Fordham University

Framingham State Universi...

Fresno City College

Friends University

Furman University

Gadsden State Community C...

Georgetown College

Georgia Southern Universi...

Georgia Southwestern Stat...

Goucher College

Gustavus Adolphus College

Hamilton College

Hampden-sydney College

Hampshire College

Hanover College

Haverford College

Henderson State Universit...

Hendrix College

High Point University

Hiram College

Hobart And William Smith...

Hollins University

Hope College

Humboldt State University

Illinois Wesleyan Univers...

Immaculata University

Indiana State University

Indiana University Of Pen...

Indiana University- North...

Indiana University-east C...

Jacksonville State Univer...

Jacksonville University

Jefferson State Community...

Judson College

Juniata College

Kalamazoo College

Kennesaw State University

Kentucky State University

Kentucky Wesleyan College

Kenyon College

Lake Forest College

Lakeland University

Lansing Community College

Lawrence University

Limestone University

Lindenwood University

Lock Haven University

Louisiana State Universit...

Louisiana Tech University

Lubbock Christian Univers...

Macalester College

Manhattanville College

Marietta College

Marlboro College

Maryland Institute Colleg...

Marymount Manhattan Colle...

Mcpherson College

Messiah University

Middlebury College

Mills College

Millsaps College

Minneapolis College Of Ar...

Minneapolis Community And...

Minnesota State Universit...

Minot State University

Mississippi College

Missouri Southern State U...

Montclair State Universit...

Moraine Valley Community...

Moravian College

Morehead State University

Morehouse College

Morningside College

Mount Holyoke College

Muhlenberg College

New Mexico State Universi...

New York University

Nicholls State University

North Central University

North Greenville Universi...

Northern State University

Notre Dame University Of...

Oakland Community College

Oakton Community College-...

Oberlin College

Occidental College

Oglethorpe University

Ohio University

Ohio Wesleyan University

Olivet Nazarene Universit...

Parsons School Of Design

Pennsylvania State Univer...

Pfeiffer University

Pikes Peak Community Coll...

Pitt Community College

Pittsburg State Universit...

Pitzer College

Portland State University

Pratt Institute

Prescott College

Providence College

Randolph College

Red Rocks Community Colle...

Reed College

Rhode Island School Of De...

Rhodes College

Ringling College Of Art A...

Ripon College

Roane State Community Col...

Rochester Institute Of Te...

Rogers State University

Rollins College

Rutgers University- New B...

Sacramento City College

Saint Anselm College

Saint Joseph's College -...

Saint Mary-of-the-woods C...

Saint Mary's College - No...

Saint Mary's University O...

Saint Olaf College

Salem College

Salisbury University

Salve Regina University

San Antonio College

San Bernardino Valley Col...

San Diego State Universit...

San Francisco State Unive...

San Jose State University

Savannah College Of Art A...

Scripps College

Siena Heights University

Skidmore College

Smith College

Sonoma State University

Southern Methodist Univer...

Southwestern College- Mai...

Southwestern Oklahoma Sta...

Southwestern University

Spelman College

St. Lawrence University

St. Mary's College Of Mar...

Stephen F. Austin State U...

Sterling College

Stonehill College

Sul Ross State University

Suny Adirondack

Suny At Albany

Suny At Binghamton

Suny At Brockport

Suny At Cortland

Suny At New Paltz

Suny At Old Westbury

Suny At Oneonta

Suny At Oswego

Suny At Potsdam

Suny At Purchase

Suny At Stony Brook

Suny Corning Community Co...

Suny Dutchess Community C...

Suny Finger Lakes Communi...

Suny Genesee Community Co...

Suny Herkimer County Comm...

Suny Jamestown Community...

Suny Monroe Community Col...

Suny Niagara County Commu...

Suny North Country Commun...

Suny Onondaga Community C...

Suny Plattsburgh

Suny Rockland Community C...

Suny Ulster County Commun...

Suny Westchester Communit...

Susquehanna University

Swarthmore College

Sweet Briar College

Tabor College

Tarleton State University

Taylor University

Temple University- Main C...

Texas A & M University- C...

The New School- Nyc Campu...

The University Of The Sou...

Thomas Nelson Community C...

Towson University

Transylvania University

Tulane University

Tuskegee University

Union College- New York

Union University

University Of Alabama- Hu...

University Of Arkansas- L...

University Of California-...

University Of Dallas

University Of Florida

University Of Hartford

University Of Houston

University Of Houston- Do...

University Of Louisiana-...

University Of Louisville

University Of Mary Washin...

University Of Maryland -...

University Of Maryland- B...

University Of Massachuset...

University Of Memphis

University Of Michigan- A...

University Of Minnesota-...

University Of Montana

University Of Mount Olive

University Of Mount Union

University Of New Haven

University Of New Mexico

University Of New Orleans

University Of North Carol...

University Of Northwester...

University Of Oklahoma

University Of Redlands

University Of Richmond

University Of Saint Mary

University Of Sioux Falls

University Of South Alaba...

University Of South Dakot...

University Of South Flori...

University Of St. Thomas

University Of Tampa

University Of Tennessee-...

University Of Texas- Dall...

University Of Texas- Tyle...

University Of The Arts

University Of The Cumberl...

University Of The Incarna...

University Of Utah

University Of Wisconsin-...

Upper Iowa University

Ursinus College

Ursuline College

Valley City State Univers...

Vassar College

Virginia Commonwealth Uni...

Virginia Wesleyan Univers...

Wabash College

Wake Technical Community...

Walla Walla University

Washington And Lee Univer...

Washington College

Washington University- St...

Waubonsee Community Colle...

Wayland Baptist Universit...

Wayne State University

Webster University

Wellesley College

Wells College

Wesleyan College

Western Washington Univer...

Westminster College- Penn...

Westmoreland County Commu...

Wheaton College- Illinois...

Whitman College

Whittier College

Willamette University

William Woods University

Williams College

Winthrop University

Wittenberg University

Wofford College

Yale University

York College Of Pennsylva...

Alberta College Of Art...

Algoma University- Sau...

Banff Centre For Arts...

Brandon University

Coast Mountain College...

Dawson College

Durham College- Oshawa...

Emily Carr University...

First Nations Universi...

Fleming College- Halib...

Kwantlen Polytechnic I...

Kwantlen Polytechnic U...

Macewan University- Al...

Mount Allison Universi...

Nipissing University

North Island College-...

Nscad University- Foun...

Ocad University

Redeemer University Co...

Renison University Col...

St. Lawrence College-...

St. Thomas University

Trinity Western Univer...

University Of Alberta-...

University Of British...

University Of Lethbrid...

University Of Quebec-...

University Of Windsor-...

Vanier College

Concordia University- L...

Potential Scholarships

5 Strong Scholarship

Agnes M. Lindsay Scholars...

Approx Salary Expectation

Currency:

Low End:

$22,290.00 /yr

Avg/Med:

$50,550.00 /yr

High End:

$106,000.00 /yr

Related Careers

Dancer and choreographer

Motion Picture Grips/Set-up Workers

Music Director/Conductor

Camera Operators (TV & Video)

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/.
Trend Analysis - Explorer the Market, Labour Market Information, Government of Canada https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/trend-analysis.
O*NET OnLine, National Center for O*NET Development, https://www.onetonline.org/.