After the MFA Degree
Job Market
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, approximately 60 percent of artists are self-employed. This includes individuals who make and sell their original art, as well as those who are employed as commercial artists in fields such as illustration or graphic design. Incomes for artists vary greatly. While some well-established artists do enjoy lucrative careers, individuals completing MFA programs should not expect to have a large or steady income from selling their work. A successful career takes most artists years to create.
Teaching
Many MFA programs offer teaching assistantships, giving students valuable experience running and instructing undergraduate classes. The purpose of MFA programs is to teach students skills in their particular craft, which does not tend to translate into steady, salaried post-graduation jobs; however, many students do go on to teach in elementary, secondary, or post-secondary schools. Individuals interested in careers as arts educators may also need degrees in education. A bachelor's degree in education followed by an MFA is a fantastic background for this career path.
Building a Career
When it comes to establishing oneself as an artist there is no substitute for hard work and determination. Most artists spend years honing their craft, building their portfolios, and making professional connections in order to get an audience for their work. Continuing one’s education through local or online classes is a good way for artists to establish a support network in the arts community. Generally speaking, careers in the arts are considered a war of attrition – those who stick around the longest eventually find success.
Accreditation
Applicants should make sure that the MFA program they are applying to is nationally accredited. This guarantees that the education they receive will be equivalent to what students receive in hundreds of other programs across the country. Additionally, accreditation ensures that students can apply for government loans to fund their degrees.
The National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) is the accrediting organization for MFA programs. Established in 1944, the NASAD has granted accreditation to over 1000 programs and schools in art and design, theater, dance, and music. To receive accreditation, programs must meet standards, procedures and guidelines recognized by peer institutions.
As a service to arts institutions and the students who want to attend them, the NASAD has compiled a database of the schools and programs it accredits. Furthermore, NASAD publishes the results of their evaluation of a school (though it does not rank schools), which may help potential applicants decide whether or not they want to attend a particular MFA program.
Source: National Association of Schools of Art and Design accredited program list
Bureau of Labor and Statistics, Artist and Related Workers
The College Art Association’s Standards and Guidelines for MFA programs
U.S. Department of Labor O*Net Online Summary Report on Fine Artists, including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators