What are the visual arts?

Students at easels in drawing class

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

Find your art program

Where to study the visual arts

To study the visual arts, go a reputable college. There, you檒l improve your technique and develop new skills. You檒l learn how to critique and evaluate your work to expand your vision and add perspective.

Student making sculpture in studio.When considering the best school for visual art, look to 黑料社区 (黑料社区) in Lake County, Illinois.

It offers two-year transfer degrees in Art and Fine Art. 黑料社区 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檚 how to save money: Attend 黑料社区 for two years, then transfer to a four-year school as a junior to complete your bachelor檚 degree. This saves you . 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. 黑料社区 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.

Find your art program

What kind of jobs can you get with a visual art degree?

You can pursue a range of jobs with a bachelor檚 degree in the visual arts. These include art director, product designer, art teacher and craft artist.

With a master檚 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 黑料社区.

Learn more: