A degree in Art History or Studio Art from Furman University will undoubtedly prepare you for a wide range of careers. Building our art program on strong liberal arts fundamentals allows our alumni to be recruited into highly-respected graduate programs from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago to Cranbrook Academy of Art to American University, Corcoran College of Art,  Vanderbilt, Goldsmith’s College of Art in London, Washington University, George Washington University, Christie’s and more. Understanding the remarkable influence that visual culture has on everyday life, as seen through our dedicated programming, you will not only foster your creativity, but also gain the skills and knowledge necessary to market your talent and earn a living doing exactly what you love.

Whether you are interested in art history, graphic design, photojournalism, interior design, or painting and sculpture, you will find the courses and tools you need here at Furman University to create an ideal plan. Our graduates are well equipped for careers that are financially lucrative, as well as creatively fulfilling.

This program is designed to prepare graduates to:

  1. Think differently, solve problems, and strengthen their creative muscles. Our students learn skills that can enhance any career trajectory and give them the flexibility to adapt to quickly changing times. We don’t train them for a job – we train them to think creatively.
  2. Learn visual literacy, meaning how to observe, analyze, and communicate information via words or images. When you learn this language, you can  effectively operate and excel in any environment.
  3. Understand how images make meaning. From ancient times to modern politics, art influences narrative. Understanding how images speak changes one’s perception of the world around them.

Career Opportunities in Art

  • Account Planner
  • Artist (exhibiting, maintaining studio, artist residencies)
  • Scholar, writer of texts/monographs/articles
  • Art appraiser/art consultant
  • Art conservation/historic preservation
  • Art buyer for corporations which purchase art
  • Art direction, creative director, graphic design, advertising
  • Art handler (museums or galleries)
  • Art therapy
  • Artist representative
  • Arts Administrator at arts organization, gallery or museum
  • Grant writing for arts agency
  • Brand Strategist
  • Cartoonist or political cartoonist
  • Commercial photographer
  • Computer graphics (website design and multimedia publication)
  • Copywriter
  • Craft design and production (jewelry design, ceramics, furniture design)
  • Illustration (technical, editorial, scientific, children’s book)
  • In-house publications, promotions, desktop publishing
  • Interior design
  • Logo designer, typography designer, packaging designer
  • Museum education, cataloging, research
  • Museum or gallery curator
  • Photojournalism
  • Public relations, marketing
  • Retail display and concept promotion
  • Stage or set design
  • Surface designer (fabric, wallpaper, carpets)
  • Teaching at public/private, K-12 (BA with teacher certification)
  • Teaching at college level (MFA/PhD for tenure track)