The Arts

Interest Area

Find your inspiration.
Follow your passion.
Discover your voice.
Make your mark.

Communicate, create, or perform in the School of the Arts. Earn a degree or certificate, engage in creative opportunities, and surround yourself with other creative minds and industry professionals. Develop your communication and teamwork skills while you discover your creative side.

Students with degrees in the arts work as creators, educators, and performers across the country and around the world. Become a part of the creative and exciting arts, media and entertainment industries.

Programs of Study

Fast Track Career Path

Art

UC Transfer
CSU Transfer
AA
AS
COA
COP
AS

Communication Studies

UC Transfer
CSU Transfer
AA

Dance

UC Transfer
CSU Transfer
AA
COA
COP

Live Entertainment Management

Live Entertainment Technology

CSU Transfer
AA
COP
COA

Music

UC Transfer
CSU Transfer
AA
COP

Theater Arts

CSU Transfer
AA

Explore Careers

Museum Technicians and Conservators

Median Salary

$44,923

Job Growth

-3%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
1%

Certificate
20%

Associate's Degree
7%

Bachelor's Degree
24%

Master's Degree
47%

View Career

Restore, maintain, or prepare objects in museum collections for storage, research, or exhibit. May work with specimens such as fossils, skeletal parts, or botanicals; or artifacts, textiles, or art. May identify and record objects or install and arrange them in exhibits. Includes book or document conservators.

New workers start around $27,983. Normal pay is $44,923 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $80,025.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
1%

Certificate
20%

Associate's Degree
7%

Bachelor's Degree
24%

Master's Degree
47%

Core Tasks

Install, arrange, assemble, and prepare artifacts for exhibition, ensuring the artifacts' safety, reporting their status and condition, and identifying and correcting any problems with the set up.
Repair, restore, and reassemble artifacts, designing and fabricating missing or broken parts, to restore them to their original appearance and prevent deterioration.
Clean objects, such as paper, textiles, wood, metal, glass, rock, pottery, and furniture, using cleansers, solvents, soap solutions, and polishes.
Photograph objects for documentation.
Determine whether objects need repair and choose the safest and most effective method of repair.
Prepare artifacts for storage and shipping.
Enter information about museum collections into computer databases.
Recommend preservation procedures, such as control of temperature and humidity, to curatorial and building staff.
Notify superior when restoration of artifacts requires outside experts.
Supervise and work with volunteers.
Perform on-site field work which may involve interviewing people, inspecting and identifying artifacts, note-taking, viewing sites and collections, and repainting exhibition spaces.
Lead tours and teach educational courses to students and the general public.

Median Salary

$44,923

Job Growth

-3%

Librarians and Media Collections Specialists

Median Salary

$82,181

Job Growth

+8%

Education

Some College
6%

Associate's Degree
4%

Bachelor's Degree
13%

Master's Degree
77%

View Career

Administer and maintain libraries or collections of information, for public or private access through reference or borrowing. Work in a variety of settings, such as educational institutions, museums, and corporations, and with various types of informational materials, such as books, periodicals, recordings, films, and databases. Tasks may include acquiring, cataloging, and circulating library materials, and user services such as locating and organizing information, providing instruction on how to access information, and setting up and operating a library's media equipment.

New workers start around $36,338. Normal pay is $82,181 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $124,238.

Education

Some College
6%

Associate's Degree
4%

Bachelor's Degree
13%

Master's Degree
77%

Core Tasks

Check books in and out of the library.
Teach library patrons basic computer skills, such as searching computerized databases.
Review and evaluate materials, using book reviews, catalogs, faculty recommendations, and current holdings to select and order print, audio-visual, and electronic resources.
Keep up-to-date records of circulation and materials, maintain inventory, and correct cataloging errors.
Search standard reference materials, including online sources and the Internet, to answer patrons' reference questions.
Analyze patrons' requests to determine needed information and assist in furnishing or locating that information.
Supervise daily library operations, budgeting, planning, and personnel activities, such as hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations.
Plan and teach classes on topics such as information literacy, library instruction, and technology use.
Confer with colleagues, faculty, and community members and organizations to conduct informational programs, make collection decisions, and determine library services to offer.
Code, classify, and catalog books, publications, films, audio-visual aids, and other library materials based on subject matter or standard library classification systems.
Respond to customer complaints, taking action as necessary.
Explain use of library facilities, resources, equipment, and services and provide information about library policies.
Plan and deliver client-centered programs and services, such as special services for corporate clients, storytelling for children, newsletters, or programs for special groups.
Locate unusual or unique information in response to specific requests.
Troubleshoot problems with audio-visual equipment.
Develop library policies and procedures.
Direct and train library staff in duties, such as receiving, shelving, researching, cataloging, and equipment use.
Evaluate materials to determine outdated or unused items to be discarded.
Develop, maintain, and troubleshoot information access aids, such as databases, annotated bibliographies, web pages, electronic pathfinders, software programs, and online tutorials.
Engage in professional development activities, such as taking continuing education classes and attending or participating in conferences, workshops, professional meetings, and associations.
Compile lists of books, periodicals, articles, and audio-visual materials on particular subjects.
Confer with teachers to select course materials and to determine which training aids are best suited to particular grade levels.
Evaluate vendor products and performance, negotiate contracts, and place orders.
Arrange for interlibrary loans of materials not available in a particular library.
Represent library or institution on internal and external committees.
Set up, adjust, and operate audio-visual equipment, such as cameras, film and slide projectors, and recording equipment, for meetings, events, classes, seminars, and video conferences.
Assemble and arrange display materials.

Median Salary

$82,181

Job Growth

+8%

Art Directors

Median Salary

$82,380

Job Growth

+11%

Education

Associate's Degree
9%

Bachelor's Degree
74%

Master's Degree
17%

View Career

Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual productions and media, such as print, broadcasting, video, and film. Direct workers engaged in artwork or layout design.

New workers start around $39,273. Normal pay is $82,380 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $201,141.

Education

Associate's Degree
9%

Bachelor's Degree
74%

Master's Degree
17%

Core Tasks

Formulate basic layout design or presentation approach and specify material details, such as style and size of type, photographs, graphics, animation, video, and sound.
Manage own accounts and projects, working within budget and scheduling requirements.
Confer with creative, art, copywriting, or production department heads to discuss client requirements and presentation concepts and to coordinate creative activities.
Present final layouts to clients for approval.
Review and approve art materials, copy materials, and proofs of printed copy developed by staff members.
Work with creative directors to develop design solutions.
Create custom illustrations or other graphic elements.
Confer with clients to determine objectives, budget, background information, and presentation approaches, styles, and techniques.
Review illustrative material to determine if it conforms to standards and specifications.
Negotiate with printers and estimators to determine what services will be performed.
Attend photo shoots and printing sessions to ensure that the products needed are obtained.
Research current trends and new technology, such as printing production techniques, computer software, and design trends.
Hire, train, and direct staff members who develop design concepts into art layouts or who prepare layouts for printing.

Median Salary

$82,380

Job Growth

+11%

Craft Artists

Median Salary

$14,330

Job Growth

+24%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
36%

Certificate
12%

Some College
16%

Associate's Degree
8%

Bachelor's Degree
24%

Master's Degree
4%

View Career

Create or reproduce handmade objects for sale and exhibition using a variety of techniques, such as welding, weaving, pottery, and needlecraft.

New workers start around $3,049. Normal pay is $14,330 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $56,484.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
36%

Certificate
12%

Some College
16%

Associate's Degree
8%

Bachelor's Degree
24%

Master's Degree
4%

Core Tasks

Create functional or decorative objects by hand, using a variety of methods and materials.
Cut, shape, fit, join, mold, or otherwise process materials, using hand tools, power tools, or machinery.
Apply finishes to objects being crafted.
Develop concepts or creative ideas for craft objects.
Select materials for use based on strength, color, texture, balance, weight, size, malleability and other characteristics.
Advertise products and work, using media such as internet advertising and brochures.
Set specifications for materials, dimensions, and finishes.
Plan and attend craft shows to market products.
Create prototypes or models of objects to be crafted.
Confer with customers to assess customer needs or obtain feedback.
Fabricate patterns or templates to guide craft production.
Develop product packaging, display, and pricing strategies.
Sketch or draw objects to be crafted.
Research craft trends, venues, and customer buying patterns to inspire designs and marketing strategies.

Median Salary

$14,330

Job Growth

+24%

Painters, Sculptors, Illustrators, and Other Fine Artists

Median Salary

$33,684

Job Growth

+32%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
27%

Some College
37%

Bachelor's Degree
35%

View Career

Create original artwork using any of a wide variety of media and techniques.

New workers start around $10,289. Normal pay is $33,684 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $109,707.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
27%

Some College
37%

Bachelor's Degree
35%

Core Tasks

Use materials such as pens and ink, watercolors, charcoal, oil, or computer software to create artwork.
Integrate and develop visual elements, such as line, space, mass, color, and perspective, to produce desired effects, such as the illustration of ideas, emotions, or moods.
Confer with clients, editors, writers, art directors, and other interested parties regarding the nature and content of artwork to be produced.
Maintain portfolios of artistic work to demonstrate styles, interests, and abilities.
Study different techniques to learn how to apply them to artistic endeavors.
Market artwork through brochures, mailings, or Web sites.
Monitor events, trends, and other circumstances, research specific subject areas, attend art exhibitions, and read art publications to develop ideas and keep current on art world activities.
Photograph objects, places, or scenes for reference material.

Median Salary

$33,684

Job Growth

+32%

Special Effects Artists and Animators

Median Salary

$80,624

Job Growth

+16%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
6%

Some College
40%

Associate's Degree
2%

Bachelor's Degree
53%

View Career

Create special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.

New workers start around $33,453. Normal pay is $80,624 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $176,693.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
6%

Some College
40%

Associate's Degree
2%

Bachelor's Degree
53%

Core Tasks

Design complex graphics and animation, using independent judgment, creativity, and computer equipment.
Create basic designs, drawings, and illustrations for product labels, cartons, direct mail, or television.
Participate in design and production of multimedia campaigns, handling budgeting and scheduling, and assisting with such responsibilities as production coordination, background design, and progress tracking.
Create two-dimensional and three-dimensional images depicting objects in motion or illustrating a process, using computer animation or modeling programs.
Make objects or characters appear lifelike by manipulating light, color, texture, shadow, and transparency, or manipulating static images to give the illusion of motion.
Apply story development, directing, cinematography, and editing to animation to create storyboards that show the flow of the animation and map out key scenes and characters.

Median Salary

$80,624

Job Growth

+16%

Is this Interest Area right for you?

Answer a few questions to see if your skills and interests align with programs and careers in Business Sciences.

Take an Assessment

Or speak to one of IVC’s Academic Counselors to learn more about all of your options.

Find Your Path

Become an IVC Student

Guide to Paying for College

Supporting You

Welcome Lasers

Finish Your Path at IVC

Find Your Path

Become an IVC Student

Guide to Paying for College

Supporting You

Welcome Lasers

Finish Your Path at IVC

The Arts

School of the Arts Contact

Programs of Study

Art

Communication Studies

Dance

Live Entertainment Management

Live Entertainment Technology

Music

Theater Arts

Explore Careers

Museum Technicians and Conservators

Librarians and Media Collections Specialists

Art Directors

Craft Artists

Painters, Sculptors, Illustrators, and Other Fine Artists

Special Effects Artists and Animators

Is this Interest Area right for you?

Business Sciences

Humanities

Integrated Design, Engineering & Automation

Kinesiology, Health & Athletics

Languages & Learning Resources

Life Sciences & Technologies

Mathematics & Computer Science

Physical Sciences

Social & Behavioral Sciences

Find Your Path

Opportunities

Communities

About IVC

Become an IVC Student

Admission Support

Plan Your Classes

Get Ready for College

Guide to Paying for College

Financial Support

Costs & Payments

Supporting You

Counseling & Support Programs

Academic Help

Safety & Wellness

Welcome Lasers

Get Involved

Your Community

Campus

Finish Your Path at IVC

Transfer

Earn Your Degree or Certificate

Transcripts & Records

Main Navigation

Find Your Path

Opportunities

Communities

About IVC

Become an IVC Student

Admission Support

Plan Your Classes

Get Ready for College

Guide to Paying for College

Financial Support

Costs & Payments

Supporting You

Counseling & Support Programs

Academic Help

Safety & Wellness

Welcome Lasers

Get Involved

Your Community

Campus

Finish Your Path at IVC

Transfer

Earn Your Degree or Certificate

Transcripts & Records

The Arts

School of the Arts Contact

Programs of Study

Art

Communication Studies

Dance

Live Entertainment Management

Live Entertainment Technology

Music

Theater Arts

Explore Careers

Museum Technicians and Conservators

Librarians and Media Collections Specialists

Art Directors

Craft Artists

Painters, Sculptors, Illustrators, and Other Fine Artists

Special Effects Artists and Animators

Is this Interest Area right for you?

Business Sciences

Humanities

Integrated Design, Engineering & Automation

Kinesiology, Health & Athletics

Languages & Learning Resources

Life Sciences & Technologies

Mathematics & Computer Science

Physical Sciences

Social & Behavioral Sciences

Select a Language