Art Degrees, Fine Artist - Arts.TopCareerSchools.com

Why Go For Art Degrees?
You may be a fine artist at heart, but if you don't have an art degree to back up your talent, your career advancement may be limited. Even Pablo Picasso had formal training. First, from his father who was not only a curator at a local museum, but a professor at the School of. Picasso then attended carpenter school before enrolling in college-level course studies at the Academy of Arts in Madrid.

Although Picasso never completed his studies, artists today should. It's very competitive out there, and college degrees can set fine artists apart from those who are working on their crafts on their own. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics says artists held about 208,000 jobs in 2004, 29,000 of which were fine artists (painters, sculptors, and illustrators). While employment of artists and related workers is expected to grow through 2014, the number of fine artists looking for work will probably grow along with it. That means, as the number of qualified workers exceeds the number of available openings, a college degree is a portfolio must!

Art Degrees Are Worth It
For fine artists, art degrees are a smart investment because of the potential for higher salaries. Art degrees can signify a fine artists' worth; instead of just saying, "I'm skilled," an artist who is formally trained is more marketable in today's business-driven world.

While median annual earnings of salaried craft artists were only $23,520 in May 2004, some were earning as high as $44,490. And when it comes to fine artists like painters, sculptors, and illustrators, the median was $38,060 in May 2004 with some earned as much as $68,860.

As you aspire for the life as a fine artist, your slogan should be art school or bust. Without an art degree, your talent may never get the return it deserves.