A degree in art history or studio art from Furman will prepare you for a wide range of careers. Because our art program is built on a strong foundation in the liberal arts, our alumni are highly coveted and recruited into respected graduate programs, including the Chicago Art Institute, the Cranbrook Academy of Art, American University, the Corcoran College of Art, Indiana, Vanderbilt, Goldsmith’s College of Art in London, Washington University, George Washington University, and Christie’s. Understanding the remarkable influence that visual culture has on everyday life lessens the “starving artist” label usually applied to art majors. Our art program will not only foster your creativity but will also give you the skills and knowledge you need to market your work and earn a living by doing what you love.

Whether you’re interested in art history, graphic design, photojournalism, interior design, or painting and sculpture, you’ll find the courses and tools at Furman to create an ideal degree 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 muscle. 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 – how to observe, analyze, and communicate information either in words or images. When you learn this language, you can operate effectively in any environment.
  3. Understand how images make meaning. From ancient times to modern politics, art influences the narrative. Understanding how images operate changes one’s perception of the world around us.

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)