Sculpture

About the Major

Studying fine arts at IUPUI in the Herron School of Art and Design is your first step in building a meaningful and influential career in art and design. You will study the historical development of art as a social and intellectual phenomenon. As a student, you will learn about art first-hand with Indianapolis community partners and will find opportunities and resources to bring your artistic concepts to fruition. All majors spend the first year building foundational skills. Fine arts majors include: ceramics, drawing and illustration, furniture design, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture.

Skills and abilities this major develops include: understanding historical contexts, analysis, fine arts skills, and cultural competency (Herron School of Art and Design, 2017).

Engaged Learning Experiences

Regardless of your major or future career, engaged learning is vital to your present and future. It makes you more marketable for jobs and professional schools upon graduation, it enables you to build deeper connections with faculty and staff in your field of study, and it makes your learning personal by connecting your interests and values with the curriculum from your classes. Check out the three ideas below for places to get started, or learn more at IUPUI’s Institute for Engaged Learning website.

Student Organizations

Herron’s student organizations build professional and personal relationships within your discipline.

Career Services

Guidance from Herron Career Services is tailored to your needs at all levels throughout your journey--including internship and networking with alumni.

Study Abroad

Herron's study abroad programs are a powerful way to discover the historical impact of art and design in the world and over time while making memorable friendships.

Opportunities After Graduation

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook (2017), employment of art and design occupations is growing slower than average at 2% from 2014 to 2024. For multimedia artists and animators, the job outlook is growing at 6%, which is the national average through 2024. Herron graduates have many other opportunities aside from being an artist, including work in nonprofits, business development, and marketing. The job outlook for social and community services will grow 10%, which is faster than average from 2014 to 2024.

The average starting salary for Herron graduates was $35,006, and the median salary was $36,000, for the May 2019 graduating cohort. The median salary for fine artist professionals in Indiana was $48,230 in May 2019 (Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2017).

(This section is intended for informational purposes, not prediction of actual salary.)

Fine arts majors often pursue advanced degrees in the following areas: art education, fine arts, museum studies, art therapy, arts administration, and art history.

Quick Facts

Sample Coursework

Art history
Drawing
Color concepts
Studio course
Digital imaging
2-D media
3-D media
Senior thesis

Possible Careers

Freelance artist
Gallery curator
Graphic designer
Nonprofit program coordinator
Production artist
Visual arts educator*

*This career requires further education or training.

Where could I work?

Angie's List
Education
IU Health
Indianapolis Museum of Art
IUPUI
Nonprofits

Complementing Interests

AArtistic

EEnterprising

SSocial

Get your interest code

Where to Get More Information

IU Herron School of Art and Design

Herron 126; (317) 278-9400

College Art Association (CAA)

Herron Career Services

Arts, Humanities, and Human Services Cluster

This major is part of the Arts, Humanities, and Human Services (AHHS) cluster. The AHHS cluster is the academic home of University College students pursuing majors in art and design, education, general studies, journalism, liberal arts, and social work. The AHHS cluster partners with students on their academic advising and career plans to guide them into their degree-granting schools.

Learn about the AHHS cluster

Learn about other clusters

Meet with an advisor or career consultant

Schedule an appointment