What are the visual arts?
Visual art is an umbrella term for art forms with visual impact. Typically, it refers to art you must see to experience.
Examples of the visual arts include
- painting
- drawing
- computer art
- sculpture
- ceramics
- photography
- video and filmmaking
- jewelry making
These art forms may fall under the study of fine arts, applied arts, or decorative arts and crafts.
When you study the visual arts, you learn
- how to develop your ideas into art
- composition and design skills
- technical skills for creating art, including process and use of tools
- how to improve your visual awareness
- how to evaluate art
- the history of art
Where to study the visual arts
To study the visual arts, go a reputable college. There, you’ll improve your technique and develop new skills. You’ll learn how to critique and evaluate your work to expand your vision and add perspective.
When considering the best school for visual art, look to College of Lake County (CLC) in Lake County, Illinois.
It offers two-year transfer degrees in Art and Fine Art. CLC is well respected in the arts community. Here you can
- Learn skills and techniques in 2D and 3D mediums from professional artists
- Get hands-on experience in a positive studio-based learning environment
- Exhibit and sell your creations at the Robert T. Wright Community Gallery of Art
- Save money
Here’s how to save money: Attend CLC for two years, then transfer to a four-year school as a junior to complete your bachelor’s degree. This saves you up to $33,000 in tuition and fees. If you live at home for the first two years, you save even more money on room and board. Not having the burden of school loans is a huge advantage for new artists starting out. Explore transfer planning.
For-credit art courses meet online and in-person. CLC art classes are held at the Grayslake Campus.
For fun, you can take a noncredit or personal enrichment art class. You also can participate in community art workshops.
What kind of jobs can you get with a visual art degree?
You can pursue a range of jobs with a bachelor’s degree in the visual arts. These include art director, product designer, art teacher and craft artist.
With a master’s degree, you can teach art in college or work as an art curator, archivist or therapist.
Some artists become entrepreneurs. They sell creations through their own websites, online marketplaces, and craft fairs. To help build your own business, earn a career certificate in entrepreneurship. Learn about the entrepreneurship program at CLC. Free support for small business also is available at the college. Explore services you can get from the Illinois Small Business Development Center.
Learn more:
Latest News
- Oct. 16: CLC hosts Illinois Regional College FairVisit the regional college fair on Oct. 16 to speak to representatives from 150 colleges and universities.
- Golf classic drives change raising $136,000 for scholarships126 golfers participated in the Golf Classic, helping the Foundation raise $136,000 toward student scholarships.
- CLC police participate in Pink Patch ProjectThe CLC police department is participating in the Pink Patch Project to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Pink patches are available for purchase.
- How CLC is growing a stronger food system in Lake CountyThe CLC Urban Farm Center in Waukegan will be a high-tech hub for growing, learning and community. Director Eliza Fournier shares how it’s creating jobs, boosting health and uniting partners to strengthen the local food system.
- CEJA Workforce Hub celebrates first four graduates of the Energy Auditor ProgramCLC celebrates the first four graduates through the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act Workforce Hub.
- CLC-manufacturing partnerships at workTodd Ludlow is a CLC alum and president of Ludlow Manufacturing. By partnering with the CLC Manufacturing Alliance and Advanced Technology Center, he helps prepare students for high-demand, high-pay jobs while developing his company's talent pipeline.