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

Media Programming Directors

Median Salary

$98,069

Job Growth

+14%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
13%

Certificate
6%

Some College
3%

Associate's Degree
12%

Bachelor's Degree
65%

View Career

Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in preparation of radio or television station program schedules and programs, such as sports or news.

New workers start around $44,797. Normal pay is $98,069 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $261,699.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
13%

Certificate
6%

Some College
3%

Associate's Degree
12%

Bachelor's Degree
65%

Core Tasks

Plan and schedule programming and event coverage, based on broadcast length, time availability, and other factors, such as community needs, ratings data, and viewer demographics.
Coordinate activities between departments, such as news and programming.
Monitor and review programming to ensure that schedules are met, guidelines are adhered to, and performances are of adequate quality.
Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in broadcast news, sports, or programming.
Check completed program logs for accuracy and conformance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and regulations and resolve program log inaccuracies.
Establish work schedules and assign work to staff members.
Monitor network transmissions for advisories concerning daily program schedules, program content, special feeds, or program changes.
Prepare copy and edit tape so that material is ready for broadcasting.
Confer with directors and production staff to discuss issues, such as production and casting problems, budgets, policies, and news coverage.
Evaluate new and existing programming to assess suitability and the need for changes, using information such as audience surveys and feedback.
Develop ideas for programs and features that a station could produce.
Perform personnel duties, such as hiring staff and evaluating work performance.
Develop promotions for current programs and specials.
Act as a liaison between talent and directors, providing information that performers or guests need to prepare for appearances and communicating relevant information from guests, performers, or staff to directors.
Select, acquire, and maintain programs, music, films, and other needed materials and obtain legal clearances for their use as necessary.
Review information about programs and schedules to ensure accuracy and provide such information to local media outlets.

Median Salary

$98,069

Job Growth

+14%

Talent Directors

Median Salary

$98,069

Job Growth

+14%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
1%

Some College
10%

Associate's Degree
19%

Bachelor's Degree
51%

Master's Degree
18%

View Career

Audition and interview performers to select most appropriate talent for parts in stage, television, radio, or motion picture productions.

New workers start around $44,797. Normal pay is $98,069 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $261,699.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
1%

Some College
10%

Associate's Degree
19%

Bachelor's Degree
51%

Master's Degree
18%

Core Tasks

Audition and interview performers to match their attributes to specific roles or to increase the pool of available acting talent.
Prepare actors for auditions by providing scripts and information about roles and casting requirements.
Select performers for roles or submit lists of suitable performers to producers or directors for final selection.
Contact agents and actors to provide notification of audition and performance opportunities and to set up audition times.
Serve as liaisons between directors, actors, and agents.
Negotiate contract agreements with performers, with agents, or between performers and agents or production companies.
Review performer information, such as photos, resumes, voice tapes, videos, and union membership, to decide whom to audition for parts.
Arrange for or design screen tests or auditions for prospective performers.
Maintain talent files that include information such as performers' specialties, past performances, and availability.
Read scripts and confer with producers to determine the types and numbers of performers required for a given production.
Attend or view productions to maintain knowledge of available actors.

Median Salary

$98,069

Job Growth

+14%

Technical Directors and Managers

Median Salary

$98,069

Job Growth

+14%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
4%

Certificate
1%

Associate's Degree
1%

Bachelor's Degree
92%

View Career

Coordinate activities of technical departments, such as taping, editing, engineering, and maintenance, to produce radio or television programs.

New workers start around $44,797. Normal pay is $98,069 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $261,699.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
4%

Certificate
1%

Associate's Degree
1%

Bachelor's Degree
92%

Core Tasks

Switch between video sources in a studio or on multi-camera remotes, using equipment such as switchers, video slide projectors, and video effects generators.
Observe pictures through monitors and direct camera and video staff concerning shading and composition.
Supervise and assign duties to workers engaged in technical control and production of radio and television programs.
Monitor broadcasts to ensure that programs conform to station or network policies and regulations.
Operate equipment to produce programs or broadcast live programs from remote locations.
Test equipment to ensure proper operation.
Train workers in use of equipment, such as switchers, cameras, monitors, microphones, and lights.
Act as liaisons between engineering and production departments.
Collaborate with promotions directors to produce on-air station promotions.
Confer with operations directors to formulate and maintain fair and attainable technical policies for programs.
Schedule use of studio and editing facilities for producers and engineering and maintenance staff.

Median Salary

$98,069

Job Growth

+14%

Dancers

Median Salary

$45,313

Job Growth

-44%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
79%

Certificate
14%

Some College
7%

View Career

Choreographers

Median Salary

$48,497

Job Growth

-79%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
25%

Some College
25%

Bachelor's Degree
30%

Master's Degree
20%

View Career

Create new dance routines. Rehearse performance of routines. May direct and stage presentations.

New workers start around $13,581. Normal pay is $48,497 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $161,049.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
25%

Some College
25%

Bachelor's Degree
30%

Master's Degree
20%

Core Tasks

Direct rehearsals to instruct dancers in how to use dance steps, and in techniques to achieve desired effects.
Teach students, dancers, and other performers about rhythm and interpretive movement.
Choose the music, sound effects, or spoken narrative to accompany a dance.
Advise dancers on how to stand and move properly, teaching correct dance techniques to help prevent injuries.
Design dances for individual dancers, dance companies, musical theatre, opera, fashion shows, film, television productions, and special events, and for dancers ranging from beginners to professionals.
Seek influences from other art forms such as theatre, the visual arts, and architecture.
Develop ideas for creating dances, keeping notes and sketches to record influences.
Train, exercise, and attend dance classes to maintain high levels of technical proficiency, physical ability, and physical fitness.
Experiment with different types of dancers, steps, dances, and placements, testing ideas informally to get feedback from dancers.
Read and study story lines and musical scores to determine how to translate ideas and moods into dance movements.
Direct and stage dance presentations for various forms of entertainment.
Coordinate production music with music directors.
Audition performers for one or more dance parts.
Design sets, lighting, costumes, and other artistic elements of productions, in collaboration with cast members.
Restage traditional dances and works in dance companies' repertoires, developing new interpretations.
Record dance movements and their technical aspects, using a technical understanding of the patterns and formations of choreography.
Assess students' dancing abilities to determine where improvement or change is needed.

Median Salary

$48,497

Job Growth

-79%

Music Directors and Composers

Median Salary

$48,378

Job Growth

+13%

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
1%

Associate's Degree
7%

Bachelor's Degree
32%

Master's Degree
23%

Doctoral or More
37%

View Career

Conduct, direct, plan, and lead instrumental or vocal performances by musical artists or groups, such as orchestras, bands, choirs, and glee clubs; or create original works of music.

New workers start around $18,961. Normal pay is $48,378 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $175,702.

Education

H.S. Diploma or Less
1%

Associate's Degree
7%

Bachelor's Degree
32%

Master's Degree
23%

Doctoral or More
37%

Core Tasks

Use gestures to shape the music being played, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, color, pitch, volume, and other performance aspects.
Direct groups at rehearsals and live or recorded performances to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance dynamics, rhythm, and tempo.
Study scores to learn the music in detail, and to develop interpretations.
Apply elements of music theory to create musical and tonal structures, including harmonies and melodies.
Consider such factors as ensemble size and abilities, availability of scores, and the need for musical variety, to select music to be performed.
Determine voices, instruments, harmonic structures, rhythms, tempos, and tone balances required to achieve the effects desired in a musical composition.
Experiment with different sounds, and types and pieces of music, using synthesizers and computers as necessary to test and evaluate ideas.
Transcribe ideas for musical compositions into musical notation, using instruments, pen and paper, or computers.
Audition and select performers for musical presentations.
Plan and schedule rehearsals and performances, and arrange details such as locations, accompanists, and instrumentalists.
Write musical scores for orchestras, bands, choral groups, or individual instrumentalists or vocalists, using knowledge of music theory and of instrumental and vocal capabilities.
Position members within groups to obtain balance among instrumental or vocal sections.
Perform administrative tasks such as applying for grants, developing budgets, negotiating contracts, and designing and printing programs and other promotional materials.
Confer with producers and directors to define the nature and placement of film or television music.
Meet with soloists and concertmasters to discuss and prepare for performances.
Fill in details of orchestral sketches, such as adding vocal parts to scores.
Explore and develop musical ideas based on sources such as imagination or sounds in the environment.
Write music for commercial mediums, including advertising jingles or film soundtracks.
Transpose music from one voice or instrument to another to accommodate particular musicians.
Rewrite original musical scores in different musical styles by changing rhythms, harmonies, or tempos.
Arrange music composed by others, changing the music to achieve desired effects.
Assign and review staff work in such areas as scoring, arranging, and copying music, and vocal coaching.
Study films or scripts to determine how musical scores can be used to create desired effects or moods.
Transcribe musical compositions and melodic lines to adapt them to a particular group, or to create a particular musical style.
Create original musical forms, or write within circumscribed musical forms such as sonatas, symphonies, or operas.
Collaborate with other colleagues, such as copyists, to complete final scores.
Copy parts from scores for individual performers.

Median Salary

$48,378

Job Growth

+13%

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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

Media Programming Directors

Talent Directors

Technical Directors and Managers

Dancers

Choreographers

Music Directors and Composers

Is this Interest Area right for you?

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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

Media Programming Directors

Talent Directors

Technical Directors and Managers

Dancers

Choreographers

Music Directors and Composers

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

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