A basic road map to a career path in Fine Arts
Looking for career opportunities after completing a course in Fine Arts? Know through this article how to enter the field of Fine Arts through information on courses and a general idea of job opportunities later in the specialization that you took up through a Fine Arts course.
Those with an aptitude for any form of creative art, whether a visual or performing form, should take up a professional course in Fine Arts. Yes, that's right. Aptitude is the keyword here, as it is not really necessary to have some formal background in the field of Fine Arts for which you are seeking admission. You have the option of a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), followed up with a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) or a Diploma and then a post-Diploma. The curriculum incorporates both theoretical and practical aspects, with languages in the former and skill-based training in the latter. Short-term certificate courses and online courses can also be explored if you do not wish to pursue the afore-mentioned full-time courses.
Getting into a Fine Arts course
Other than an aptitude, in terms of educational qualifications, passing the Class 12 exam is necessary. A minimum of 50% is generally the acceptable cut-off score, though highly talented students may get a look-in with a lower score as per the decision of the selection committee and the availability of seats. In the case of the next academic level such as a postgraduate Degree or Diploma, you do need to cross the threshold of the undergraduate level, ideally in the same field. Then there are higher study options to qualify, with an M.Phil. or even a Ph.D.
Some institutes have age criteria for being eligible to get admission to their courses. For example, at the Rukmini Devi College of Fine Arts in Chennai, admission to the courses in Bharatnatyam and Carnatic music is open to students between 17 and 25 years of age. Similarly, in a few institutions, the age criteria for a Diploma course maybe 16 to 21 years. Know the best institutions in Chennai offering courses in Fine Arts.
For the selection process, most institutions require the student to go through an initial screening process, such as an audition or aptitude test and/or a personal/telephonic interview. In the case of an international student, there may be facilities to conduct the audition and interview online.
The fees can be quite formidable, starting at nearly one lakh for a full diploma course and higher for a Degree course. So once you start the course, take it up seriously so that you successfully complete it and are able to get back what you invested in it with a good income.
Earning after learning Fine Arts
As for career opportunities, there is good scope to tread on a path to a secure future. Faculty are much in demand not just for hands-on teaching but also for visiting the campus to give a talk or conduct a seminar, even get consulted for their expertise to formulate the content of the curriculum. You can, perhaps, start your own online classes to have an independent income. In the field of music, there are requirements not just for music composers and songwriters, but also for those with technical expertise who are employed in recording studios. Think of opportunities, too, in the colourful world of illustrations and graphics, films, and advertising. Even somebody with a flair for interior designs will find it extremely fruitful to have a qualification in Fine Arts.
Don't forget the vast e-space out there. There are social media platforms aplenty to showcase your skills and catch the eye of, say, an Art Director, a reputed music composer, or the Dean of a renowned international university who may be keen on collaborating with you.Conclusion
Keep in mind that you should not think that a course in Fine Arts is a walk in the park. Maybe it is not bookish in nature that follows a rigid curriculum like that of a science or IT course. Nevertheless, it can be rigorous and you need to be very focused and committed to the training sessions.