How the Fine Arts Major Prepares You for the Job Market
A fine arts major will prepare you to enter the competitive job market as an experienced artist with a valuable education. A fine arts degree program introduces you to the fundamentals of art, as well as various art forms, such as drawing, painting and sculpting. Fine arts students create art using a variety of media, including pencils, pens, charcoal, acrylics, pastels and oils. During upperclassmen years, most students will choose a concentration, like painting or printmaking, to accompany their fine arts major. An art concentration gives students a specific area to focus on and allows them to fine-tune their skills. Fine arts students become accustomed to critiquing their work, and the work of others, through daily critiques and discussions. In addition to exploring different art forms, students may also take classes in art history, art criticism and aesthetics to enhance their overall knowledge.

Best Career Paths for Fine Arts Majors
There are numerous career options for fine arts graduates, many of which involving the creation of your own artwork. Most artists fall into one of four occupational categories, including: art directors, fine artists, craft artists and multimedia artists.

• Self-employed Artists. Self-employed artists have one of the best careers within the fine arts field, because they can explore their own artistic abilities and produce original work. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 60 percent of all artists were self-employed in 2008. Many self-employed artists also have a second job, due to the keen competition between freelance workers and the sometimes inconsistent income. Self-employed artists' annual earnings are varied and some make more than salaried artists, who earn anywhere from $30,000 to $55,000 annually. From animators, illustrators, to sculptors, self-employed artists create original artwork that they can sell from home, show in a gallery or produce on a client-only basis. Self-employed artists are their own bosses; therefore, they can set their own hours, make their own rules and receive all monetary profits.
• Art Directors. Art directors are in charge of developing new design concepts and overseeing artwork that will be printed in periodicals, newspapers and other digital media. They are the masterminds behind the visual communication of advertising and publishing projects, and ensure that the artwork is organized and aesthetically pleasing to the audience. Art directors collaborate with artists in the design, layout and publishing of their artwork. As the head supervisor of all artwork, art directors hold serious authority at a publication or company. Art directors are typically artists who have exhibited years of leadership and project management skills within the field. Depending on the extent of their responsibilities, salaried art directors can earn a median annual salary of $76,980 or higher, according to the 2008 BLS report.

How to Market Your Fine Arts Degree
Knowing how to market your fine arts degree can greatly impact your employment opportunities. A fine arts degree shows that you have not only obtained collegiate training on different art forms and media, but you have also mastered art history, general courses and computer design programs. The other great thing about having a fine arts degree is that you will most likely have a portfolio of your artwork to display. Your portfolio shows the progression of your artwork over the course of your college education. In addition, a portfolio shows your ability to practice different art forms and use various media. So, along with your degree, you will have physical proof of your artistic talents and professional skills.