What Can I Do with an Associate Degree in Art?

<p>Many community colleges and vocational schools offer associate degree programs in art. Students in these 2-year programs complete general education requirements that include courses in social studies, English composition, and mathematics. They take a few courses in their major area, which can be art in general or a specialty area of concentration such as graphic arts. Graduates of associate degree programs in art have many options for work or future study. </p> <h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutPossibleCareers">Important Facts About Possible Careers</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th> </th><th> Elementary Teacher </th><th> Secondary Teacher </th><th> Fine Artist</th></tr> <tr><td> Median Salary (2021) </td><td> $61,400 </td><td> $61,820 </td><td> $60,820</td></tr> <tr><td> Job Outlook (2021-2031) </td><td> 4% </td><td> 5% </td><td> 6%</td></tr> <tr><td> Similar Occupations </td><td> Librarian, Instructional Coordinator, Special Education Teacher </td><td> Social Worker, Childcare Worker, Special Education Teacher </td><td> Art Director, Woodworker, Industrial Designer</td></tr> <tr><td> Key Skills </td><td> Patience, creativity, and communication skills </td><td> Resourcefulness, patience, and communication skills </td><td> Customer-service, interpersonal, and business skills</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---PursueABachelorSDegreeInArt">Pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Art</h3> <p>After graduating with an associate degree in art, you might opt to transfer your credits to a bachelor's degree program. A bachelor's degree is often the minimum requirement to work as a graphic designer or multimedia artist for a business or production company. As a graphic designer, you would produce original art and graphics to serve as advertisements or graphic elements for newspapers, magazines, websites or design firms. While working as a multimedia artist, you could use your artistic flair to create backgrounds, characters, and storyboards from scratch. </p> <h3 id="section---ContinueYourEducationToTeachArt">Continue Your Education to Teach Art</h3> <p>With an associate degree in art, you could continue your education and teach art in elementary and secondary schools. A bachelor's degree program in art education combines classes that teach you about art with those that instruct you in educating students. Your classes might include: </p> <ul><li>Watercolors </li><li>3-D design </li><li>Photography </li><li>Art history </li><li>Art and special education </li><li>Teaching and classroom management </li><li>Art teaching methods </li></ul><p>You also would be required to teach students in a practicum under the supervision of a licensed art teacher. Becoming an art teacher also requires earning state licensure. </p> <h3 id="section---FindEmploymentAsAnAssistantOrTechnician">Find Employment as an Assistant or Technician</h3> <p>Finding entry-level employment is also an option after earning your associate degree in art. For example, you could become an assistant to an artist or work as a prepress technician. As an assistant, you could work for a photographer and help him or her set up shots, carry equipment and take photographs. Working as a prepress technician would require you to develop images and text from cameras and computer-related equipment. </p> <h3 id="section---BecomeAnArtist">Become an Artist</h3> <p>An associate degree in art also can help you pursue a career in an artistic field. You could become an actor, musician, photographer or painter. While formal education isn't necessary for these professions, an associate degree could provide you with a foundation in a particular field and get you started on your career path. You may need to put together a reel or portfolio of your work to obtain employment.</p>