What can you do with a Performing Arts Degree?
Are you interested in starting a career in the field of arts and would like to have an answer to the question, “What can you do with a performing arts degree?”, which most arts-inclined students usually ask?
If you are, then you will find this post useful.
You will discover the various exciting jobs that you can get when you take a degree in the performing arts field, and you will be able to make a choice of the career to go with.
Learning about Performing Arts
It is almost certain life will be colorless and dull without the soothing presence of various forms of art.
It is a near undisputable fact that every individual irrespective of age and culture relishes and indulges in a particular kind of artistic avocation.
Some love songs by popular artists and can turn from sour to ecstatic when their favorite tune comes on, some others appreciate artworks/paintings so much they never seem bothered over paying a thousand bucks for a renowned art piece.
Man naturally subscribes to his artistic tendencies as a medium of expression, creativity and an abode of freedom faraway from our world of self-consciousness.
Arts opens our eyes to the ill-expressed emotional realities of the world and helps us understand how life is all about perspective, creativity, and expression.
In our society today, we have individuals impacting our mindset, social life and general outlook towards life; we often refer to these individuals as musicians, singers, artists, actors, and comedians.
These masters of art all fall in a category as performing artists, they are also generally referred to as working artists.
They specialize in delivering live or recorded performances of them showing an artistic quality to the delight of an audience or fan base.
Most of these artists never really require formal education to have a successful career although various other career paths in the field of art, such as management and administrative positions require some education.
A career in an entertainment occupation is projected to pay a median salary of $40,030 annually according to the U.S. BLS though pay varies significantly with job specialization.
Pursuing a career in the field of performing arts doesn’t quite require a degree although having one is necessary for proper communication, effective management, self-discipline and skill awareness.
What Jobs can you do with Performing Arts Associate’s Degree?
With the gift of muse and an Associate’s in performing arts, you can work as:
- Musician/Singer: They specialize in delivering musical presentations for an audience or for recording purposes. They play instruments and give live performances as a band, orchestra or acapella. They major in specific or multiple genre, they write music and usually go on international/national tours playing at clubs, and weddings. They also work on promoting their music through online and media channels.
- Dancer: They specialize in using body movement and gestures to convey a concept, situation or atmosphere to an audience usually with musical accompaniment. They engage in various forms of dance such as African, contemporary or street dance. They can perform in a movie, music video or on a stage. They study choreography and rehearse to master a pattern.
- Community Arts Worker: They specialize in using arts courses to foster and improve the social growth of a community group. They identify the needs of a group and then develop projects that will positively impart the participating young, aged, homeless or physically disadvantaged ones. They address cultural and social issues using art forms such as music, movie, craft and dance.
Obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts is not a key requirement for a career as a working artist although it helps sharpen artistic skills and provide exposure to different ideas.
What Jobs can you do with a Performing Arts Bachelor’s Degree?
With an ample amount of creativity and a baccalaureate in Performing Arts, graduates can become well versed as:
- Actor: They specialize in relating a story or concept by employing speech and body gestures to play out a role for an audience. Their performance usually is guided by a director and they act either on stage, over the radio, T.V. adverts and in movies. Part of their duties involve line rehearsal, character research, and use of costumes.
- Producer: They are responsible for the creation of a movie, theatre performance, T.V. show and other artistic presentations. They conduct audition for a film cast; they manage the cost of production, supervise the production process and guide the post-production operations such as the editing, FX, and choice of musical accompaniment. They choose and interpret scripts for a production cast as well as oversee the activities of the production crew.
- Theatre Stage Manager: They specialize in the management of theatre activities to ensure an excellent performance. They supervise actors during rehearsals, oversee the setup of stage elements and ensure good sound and proper lighting. They also ensure availability and organization of costumes as well as observance of safety/health policies.
- Script Writer: Their duties involve writing the course and dialog of a theatrical performance, T.V show or movie. They provide the details of a screenplay to producers, carry out research and write to build a reputation in the industry. They can work independently or with a team to generate scripts with original plot.
- Theatre Director: They are responsible for the proper interpretation of a script. They oversee the entire production process, supervising the activities of the producer and performers. They analyze scripts, conduct auditions, organize rehearsals, and generally monitor overall production process.
What Jobs can you do with a Performing Arts Master’s or Doctorate Degree?
Experience in the field of performing arts is the major prerequisite for top-level careers as opposed to bagging a Master’s or Doctorate degree.
However, with prior experience in the field and a postgraduate degree, you are better qualified for positions as:
- Arts Administrator: They are responsible for the promotion and organization of artistic performances. Their duties encompasses the research, advertising, marketing and creation of public awareness for an exhibition. They are in charge of logistics, venue selection, setting ticket prices and booking.
- University/College Lecturer: They work in institutions of learning where they deliver lectures and instruct undergraduate art majors. They also conduct academic research and publish findings in journals.
Conclusion
The field of Performing Arts doesn’t require much formal education to succeed in it, and can provide a very lucrative career with the right talent and management.
What would you like to do with a performing arts degree after graduation? Please leave a comment in the box below.