by our College Data Analytics TeamThere are many different types of Visual and Performing Arts majors. While some students may want to major in a larger field such as Dance, Music, or Theater, you may want to focus on a much smaller niche. A degree in Visual and Performing Arts, Other will allow you to specialize in a specific instrument, style of dance, or other area within this field.
You will take similar classes as others in your field, such as art, music, or theater history, music, dance, and art classes, computer science, and business courses along with classes in your specialized area of study.
Studying Other Visual Art explores Visual And Performing Arts, Other. Continue reading for the key facts every other visual art major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering other visual art programs.
Nationwide, other visual art is a widely-pursued major, with 941 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Other Visual Art Schools ranking analyzes these 62 schools to determine the best overall colleges for other visual art students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of other visual art programs later in this article.
Studies in Other Visual Art build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations other visual art graduates commonly enter.
Students who pursue careers in Visual and Performing Arts, Other are usually artistically inclined and have a skill for a certain, dance, art, or other area of performance. They are creative and have the skills to create something that has never before been seen. Visual and Performing Arts, Other students are also detail oriented, and have perseverance and discipline to continually practice and improve their skills.
The work environment for students with a degree in Visual and Performing Arts, Other varies depending on the type of career you wish to pursue. Some graduates are working for performing arts studios, while others are artists that are self-employed. There are many possibilities for students within this field.
In order to gain experience in the area of study you wish to pursue, students should work an internship or summer job. This will allow you to work along side professionals in the field and learn what skills you must gain or improve upon to be successful.
The skill set built by a other visual art program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a other visual art major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several other visual art degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 39 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 78 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 551 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 253 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 20 |
People currently working in careers related to other visual art tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 50.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 31.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 13.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.7% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in other visual art careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Graduates have gone into a variety of Visual and Performing Arts careers as dancers, singers, actors, or other performers for plays, cruise ships, casinos, television shows, and movies, art directors, agents, professional musicians, and cinematographers. The specific area of specialization will improve your skills in a niche within this field and make you an asset to any visual and performing arts company.
Majoring in other visual art opens doors to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to other visual art.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to other visual art.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,074,154 | 9.1% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of other visual art graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $28,812 |
| 4 years | $46,128 |
| 5 years | $53,876 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for other visual art graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers other visual art grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,983 |
With 62 different other visual art programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased other visual art school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in other visual art, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Visual and Performing Arts, Other | 941 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts | 38,798 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 37,770 |
| Music | 25,853 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 18,927 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 16,640 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | 7,225 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | 4,430 |
| Dance | 3,274 |
| Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry | 67 |
| Community/Environmental/Socially-Engaged Art | 12 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
