Visual Arts
Explore the BS in Visual Arts and the BFA in Visual Arts, Interdisciplinary and find out about the BS and BFA program requirements, courses and BS and BFA faculty.
Career Possibilities
The options below are a starting point to explore potential career paths. Additional training, and experiential learning may be needed to pursue these possibilities.
Acquired Skills
- Ability to communicate emotions and ideas creatively
- Ability to work in groups/independently
- Proficiency for accuracy and detail
- Ability to accept/give criticism
- Ability to operate various tools and equipment
- Aesthetic judgment and sensitivity
- Ability to make keen observations and appropriate decisions
Career Titles
- Animator
- Antiques Dealer
- Art Buyer/Consultant
- Art Historian
- Art Teacher
- Art Therapist
- Arts and Crafts Trainer
- Book Designer
- Cartoonist
- Conservator
- Corporate Designer
- Creative Director
- Critic
- Curator
- Director of Advertising
- Display Artist/Designer
- Exhibition Designer
- Fine Artist
- Fine Arts Administrator
- Floral Designer
- Forensic Artist
- Gallery Director
- Graphic Systems Manager
- Illustrator
- Interior Decorator
- Jewelry Designer
- Magazine Designer
- Media Planner
- Medical Illustrator
- Museum Director
- Portrait Painter
- Print Publisher
- Professor
- Sketch Artist
- Television Graphic Designer
- Toy Designer
- Typeface Designe
Types of Organizations that Hire
- Museums/Cultural Institutions
- Television/radio/film
- Colleges/universities/schools
- Hospitality/Travel
- Hospitals
- Libraries
- Magazines and newspapers
- Publishing
- Not-for-Profit
- Technology
Career Information and Professional Association Links
- Employers of Art & Fine Arts majors
- Employers of Drama, Theater & Visual Arts Majors
- Employers of Graphic Design & Commercial Art Majors
- NY Foundation For the Arts
- New York Council on the Arts
- National Endowment for the Arts
- Americans for the Arts
- Visual Arts Career Guide
- Copyrighting your work
- Andy Warhol Foundation for the Arts
- National Gallery of Art
- World Wide Art Resources
- College Art Association
- Artist Help Network. Resources on career, exhibitions/ commissions, money, presentation tools, legal, etc.
- Self Employment in the Arts
- ArtTable - Resources for women in the arts
- ArtsWestchester A guide to arts in Westchester - events, grants, links to local artists, internships, etc.
- Occupational Outlook Handbook Online - Job type descriptions, job growth forecasts, and salary information
Job Search Links
- Career Development Center - Click on Purchase JobScore to access jobs posted for Purchase students and alumni
- Americans for the Arts (includes a job bank)
- Communication Arts (CA) -Site for the professional creative marketplace
- NYFA Artist Opportunities
- NYFA Job Search
- Idealist - Non-profit and arts internships and jobs
- LiveCareer - jobs and career opportunities
- ArtDeadline.Com - source for income & exhibition opportunities
- Animation World Network -Job postings
- Americans for the Arts - Job Bank
- North West Connecticut Arts Council
- Artist Opportunities from ArtsWestchester
- Creative Capitol - Monthly list of residencies, grant, and award opportunities.
Please visit the following visual arts majors pages for additional resources: Graphic Design, Painting & Drawing, Photography, Printmaking, and Sculpture.