Your degree in Visual Art

Skills you’ll develop

While studying Visual Art, you’ll find and create opportunities to showcase your talents and participate in the wider art world of the university and the city of Vancouver. You’ll develop important skills to think critically about the practice and theory behind the creation of physical art forms and articulate visual provocations and inquiries.

These skills may include:

  • Producing unique creative and artistic ideas and perspectives that form and influence culture
  • Being organized, self-disciplined, and attentive to detail in creating visual works using a variety of media
  • Designing, implementing, and managing projects, demonstrating an understanding of the qualities and challenges of various materials and mediums
  • Providing and receiving constructive feedback on perspectives and interpretations of visual art work
  • Communicating, verbally and in writing to compare and contrast works of art, drawing on critical theory, philosophy, and art history
  • Conducting practice-led research and analysis to engage with abstract ideas and visual forms
  • Undertaking conceptual and emotive inquiry informed by an awareness of the materiality in cultural, social, and historical contexts

Career possibilities

Career opportunities vary widely across a range of fields including art education or therapy, curation, advertising, animation, architecture, arts administration, graphic/web design, photography, publishing, and others.

There are many career paths that can combine your academics, skills, and experience with your different interests. Read through the job titles below for ideas. Some career options may require further education or training.

Visit the National Occupational Classification website to research basic requirements and responsibilities of jobs in your field.

  • Advertising art director
  • Animated cartoon technician
  • Architect
  • Art critic
  • Art director
  • Art gallery manager
  • Arts administrator
  • Art therapist 
  • Artist
  • Artist agent
  • Bookmaker
  • Cartoonist
  • Charitable organization director
  • Cinematographer
  • Commercial artist
  • Communications manager
  • Content strategist
  • Costume designer
  • Courtroom sketch artist
  • Craftsperson
  • Creative design 
  • Curator
  • Ephemera designer 
  • Fabricators 
  • Event planner
  • Exhibit designer
  • Film editor
  • Fundraiser
  • Graphic designer
  • Interior designer
  • Journalist
  • Lighting designer
  • Marketing coordinator
  • Master printmaker 
  • Medical illustrator
  • Museum educator
  • Photographer
  • Podcaster 
  • Publication/Cover designer
  • Recreational therapist
  • Set designer
  • Sound design 
  • Teacher/Professor
  • VFX artist
  • Video game designer
  • Videographer
  • Visual designer 
  • Visual merchandiser
  • Web designer

Make the most of your program

Your experiences will open doors to new opportunities and help you understand your values and interests.

Build your network

Employers often hire people they know, so help them get to know you. You can build your network through clubs, classes, informational interviews, and more. There are so many ways to make connections and find mentors.

The professional associations below are also great resources for meeting people, learning about specific industries, and finding job and volunteer opportunities. Most have reduced membership rates for students and new grads.

Connect with alumni on LinkedIn

Find UBC Visual Art graduates on LinkedIn to learn about where they’re working, and their career and academic paths. 

More information

From your Arts degree, you’ll develop skills and experiences that can translate into many career paths. Check out other things you can do with your Arts degree.