Arts (Fine/Visual/Performing): Courses, Admission 2025, Subjects, Top Colleges, Job Profiles and Salary

Fine Arts, Visual Arts and Performing Arts courses consists of various courses such as Dance, Theatre, Film Making,  Editing,  Printmaking, and Acting. It also includes various dance forms such as Kathak, Odissi, Bharatnatyam and Folk Dance.

Other branches under this include Tabla, Cinematography, Hindustani Classical Vocals, Video Editing, Illustrator, Direction, Graphic Design, Sitar, Violin,  Script Writing, Sound Editing,  Computer Science,  etc.. These courses are offered across various top colleges in India and are popular choices amongst candidates who wish to make a career in the field of media and television.

Yes, Performing Arts is a good career choice for those interested and passionate to perform on stage. It can be any form of art like dance, theatre, music etc. A career in the performing arts can be tremendously fulfilling. Candidates get to put their skills and imagination to use by engaging and entertaining others. They can work in a range of fields, including music, film, television, and theater. A wonderful way to travel and experience the globe is through the performing arts.

This is a very choice based question, I can provide with the options available in the field of arts but the choice needs to made as per your own likes and dislikes. Some of the fields are: fine arts, performing arts, graphic design, film and media studies, literature and creativre writing, art history, interior design, fashion design, photography, music etc. There are ample amount of options available but it all depends upon your interest.

Hi,

B.F.A (Fine Arts) - Stands for Bachelor of Fine Arts. Typically, a Bachelor of Fine Arts is a three year course, minimum eligibility for which is an intermediate (10+2). Fine Arts is an art form which is developed mainly for aesthetics rather than practical application. Subjects studied under this degree are drawing, painting, figure drawing, portraiture, watercolor, art-making concept development, and art history critique.

Eligibility: The eligibility required for Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts is a higher secondary (10+2) pass. Usually, the course duration for this course is 3-4 years in most of the institutes and universities. Foundation and specialization course are taught in the first and remaining years respectively. The career opportunities for the professionals are huge.

They can find employment in various areas like: -

• Animation
• Advertising companies
• Art studios
• Clothing industry
• Dance studios
• Digital media
• Fashion houses
• Magazines
• Manufacturers
• On-Line services
• Print making
• Publishing houses
• Sculpture
• Television
• Publishing industry
• Graphic arts
• Teaching
• Films and theatre productions
• Textile industry

For institutes offering BFA, refer the link below: https://www.shiksha.com/search/index?keyword=BFa&start=0&institute_rows=-1&content_rows=-1&country_id=&city_id=&zone_id=&locality_id=&course_level=&course_type=&min_duration=&max_ Nothing but your innermost talent and passion should lead you to the course and the institute you choose.

Hope this helps. Feel free to raise questions. Wish you Luck!

Arts (fine/visual/performing)courses are specialised programs that are designed to develop and enhance artistic skills in various forms of creative expression. Fine arts courses basically focus on developing technical abilities and an understanding of art history and theory in traditional disciplines such as painting, sculpture, and drawing.

Visual arts courses take this exploration one step ahead which is to include modern and digital mediums such as graphic design, photography, and digital art. This emphasizes both traditional techniques and contemporary practices.

Performing arts courses are centered around subjects such as theater, dance, and music which helps in providing the students with training in performance techniques, stagecraft, and the historical and theoretical aspects of their art form.

Collectively, these courses aim to nurture artistic talent, foster creativity, and provide students with a comprehensive understanding of their chosen field.

Choosing a Fine Arts course offers numerous benefits, both personally and professionally which include:

• Enhanced Creativity: Engaging in Fine Arts education fosters creativity and imagination. Students develop the ability to think outside the box, experiment with new ideas, and approach problems with a fresh perspective.
• Technical Skill Development: Students acquire and refine technical skills in various art forms including drawing, painting, and sculpture. Mastery of these skills can lead to high-quality and professional-level artwork.
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: The process of creating art involves critical thinking and problem-solving. Students will learn to analyze and interpret complex ideas, develop solutions and make thoughtful decisions about their work.
• Professional Opportunities: A Fine Arts course can open doors to various career paths including roles as a professional artist, curator, art educator or art therapist. It also provides networking opportunities with industry professionals and fellow artists.

A Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) differ primarily in their programme focus and structure. Despite being undergraduate degrees, they differ in terms of their focus on academic subjects and aspirations for their careers.

Bachelor of Arts degree includes liberal arts courses like Literature,  History,  etc.. while a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) includes more design studies and intensive art subjects. BA is an all-encompassing subject that includes various career options such as Gender Studies, Literature, and other liberal studies.

Fine Arts on the other hand consists of courses in sculpture and other such visual arts which are meant to enhance the beauty of objects and make them more appealing to the clients. However, it is to be noted that many colleges have the nomenclature of offering BA courses in various disciplines of fine arts. Read Bachelor of Fine Arts: BFA Specialisations, Scope and Career Options. 

The the biggest misconception that people have regarding Arts courses is that they will not offer good remuneration to the graduates. The key to earning a good salary is based on two important factors: experience and skills. Hence, the entry salary in these fields ranges from INR 2-3 LPA and with expanding services and experience one can expect to earn INR 4-7 LPA .

It can be very profitable to offer seminars or online classes if you are an expert in a particular creative form. Being an art teacher can be financially and personally fulfilling. A lot of designers and artists decide to work for themselves as independent contractors, doing client tasks. Students who take up freelance activities and other commissioned work can also earn decent based on the projects. Furthermore, the scope of earning more increases if a person starts an entrepreneurial venture.

Students can see the below table to learn job positions and average salaries.

The Arts course which can be done after Class 10th are as follows:

• Diploma in Photography
• Pre Diploma Foundation Course in Hindustani Classical Vocal Music
• DPA in Music
• DPA in Dance
• Diploma in Music
• DPA in Drama

. If you are a creative and expressive individual who is passionate about your form of art, a career in Fine/ Visual/ Performing Arts is apt for you. Basic skills and traits that you should possess to build a career in any field of arts include:

For Admission in Arts Course there are two ways which are:

• Online Application: Most universities and colleges offer online applications through their official websites.
• Offline Application: Some institutions may have an offline form submission process.
• Ensure you have your 10+2 certificates, mark sheets, ID proof, passport-sized photos, and other relevant documents ready for submission.

Hi Subodh,

The eligibility to pursue a course in visual art is pass in 10+2 from any stream with minimum 50% marks.

All the best

Some of the popular entrance exams that an aspirant should consider appearing for admission to these courses are mentioned below:

Although they are not exactly the same stream, the humanities and arts are related subjects. Both are included in the more general category of liberal arts, which includes academic fields that study human expression, culture, and society.

Although the study of artistic expression is frequently included in the humanities, the arts can be seen as a part of the larger humanities discipline.
Understanding the cultural and historical relevance of artistic works is made possible by the academic and philosophical framework provided by the humanities. Click to know Is Liberal Arts Degree Worth It?

Yes, there several scholarships for students in the field of Fine Arts, Visual Arts and Performing Arts. Some of which are given below:

Having a thorough understanding of the syllabus is the first stage in exam preparation. This will help you determine the topics you should cover and the amount of time you should devote to each one. In order to concentrate your study on the areas where you need the greatest development, you can also examine last year's papers to determine your strengths and shortcomings. Candidates can refer to BPA syllabus as well as reasoning topics in order to prepare for the entrance.

Common Univeristy Entrance Test (CUET) result is released by National Testing Agency. CUET syllabus is divided into three sections viz., Languages, Domain Subject and General Test. CUET language section assesses candidate through reading comprehension (factual, literary, and narrative), literary aptitude and vocabulary. CUET syllabus second section- domain subject assesses the candidate's in depth knowledge on the subject he/she has opted for. CUET third section- general test includes general knowledge, current affairs, general mental ability, quantitative reasoning and logical and analytical reasoning. CUET syllabus is available now. Candidates can check the section wise detailed CUET syllabus here.

The following colleges offer BVA courses in various specialisations after Class 12. The admissions are provided either based on entrance exams or marks scored in class 12th. The names of a few such colleges and universities are:

Arts is a collection of various courses such as Performing Arts and Visual Arts. As per the demand of the market and industry, various courses have gained more popularity in the last 5-7 years. The remuneration after pursuing these courses is also very promising. Some of these courses are as follows:

Many colleges offer undergraduate courses in the field of Arts which can be either pursued through admissions based on merit or entrance examination performance. Bachelor of Arts (BA) is the most popular undergraduate course that students pursue after Class 12 Arts. Here, you can select from 900 BA colleges in India.

Some of these top courses after class 12 Arts are as follows:

·       BA in Humanities & Social Sciences

·       Bachelor in Arts (Fine/ Visual/ Performing)

·       Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)

·       BDes in Animation

·       BA LLB

·       BDes in Design

·       BSc in Hospitality & Travel

·       BSc in Design

·       Bachelor of Journalism & Mass Communication (BJMC)

·       BHM in Hospitality & Travel

·       Bachelor of Journalism (BJ)

·       Bachelor of Mass Media (BMM)

·       BA in Hospitality & Travel

Candidates pursuing BPA have to study different subjects such as:

• History of Indian Theatre
• Western Music
• Sound Editing
• Introduction to Indian Theatre
• Choreography, World Music
• Project on Commercial Advertisement
• Basic Concepts of Film Making

Hi Tina,

Various institutes across India and abroad provide online course in visual arts, listed below are some of them :

• Session college
• Academy of art university
• International institute of Fine arts
• International fine art academy

All the best

Though both the courses come under the Arts field, Decorative Arts and Fine Arts are completely different. The below table captures certain basis and aspects based on which we can distinguish the two art forms. 

For a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program, the subjects required during graduation generally cover both practical and theoretical aspects of art. While these subjects can vary depending on the university, some common ones include drawing and painting, where you learn various techniques using mediums like pencils, charcoal, watercolors, and acrylics. Sculpture is another key subject, teaching you how to create three-dimensional art using materials like clay, stone, and wood. You'll also study art history, exploring the evolution of art, major movements, and prominent artists. Design plays a significant role, focusing on the principles of color theory, space, form, and applied design.

In addition to these, printmaking introduces techniques like etc.hing and screen printing, while sculptural and ceramic arts teach you to create sculptures and pottery. Photography may be included to teach camera techniques and composition. Students also study aesthetics and art criticism to understand art's philosophical foundations, as well as human anatomy and figure drawing to improve accuracy in drawing human forms. Lastly, some programs offer digital arts, where you learn digital illustration and animation. This variety of subjects ensures a well-rounded education in fine arts.

The Specializations that are available in an MPA course are:

• Music (vocal or instrumental)
• Dance (classical or contemporary)
• Drama and theater
• Film studies
• Choreography

Please refer below for the top Arts colleges in India according to NIRF 2024 under the 'College' category:

There are almost 130+ best Humanities colleges in India. Out of these,  77 are private whereas 46 are government owned and the remaining 11 are semi government owned. Some of the popular colleges are Hindu College, Miranda House, Hansaraj College, Gargi College, Ramjas College. Humanities, Social Studies, and Liberal Arts are some of the subjects covered in a Bachelor of Arts degree. Bachelor of Arts specialities include History, English, Philosophy, Economics, Political Science, Geography, and Sociology,  among others.

Below table showing list of top government colleges with their annual fees:

Hi Tina,

The fees for the course in visual arts depends on the course you are pursuing i.e. whether its Bachelors,certificate, diploma or a post graduate course. The fees may range from INR 23,000 to INR 3.5 lakhs for the entire course.

All the best

• Visva Bharati University
• Bangalore University
• Swami Vivekanand Subharti University
• Guru Nanak Dev University

• Rajiv Gandhi University

Hello,

Since your question is relevant for students pursuing their undergraduate or postgraduate studies, I would like to answer this question for the benefit of many. Those who choose B.A. (Hons) or M.A. Fine Arts typically head for a career as an Artist, who could work on aesthetics and whose sole purpose is self-expression.

Based on the portfolio of work, Artists may choose to participate in exhibitions to gain valuable experience, work with art galleries, print, digital design, illustrator for magazines and newspapers - the list is endless. The curriculum at School of Design & Fashion, IILM University looks at both the aspects of the need as an artist as well as a designer, we have major-minor, subject choice/combination where one can opt for B.A. (hons) Fine Arts as a major and can learn Design (Product/ Fashion/ Interior/ Interaction Design) or opt for papers from Management, Psychology, Journalism, Media & Communication (to name a few) as a minor. At both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, students gain exposure to the industry, network with artists, and get ready for a career in the area of their interest. 

Good luck.

Students with an artistic background have a wide range of professional alternatives. While performing arts provide options in acting, dancing, directing, and producing, visual arts and design offer pathways like graphic design, illustration, and art direction. Digital marketing experts, social media managers, and content producers are common positions in the field of digital media and communication.

Options for authorship, content development, and journalism are presented by writing and journalism. Furthermore, curators of galleries or museums are included in the field of arts administration. An arts degree's adaptability enables people to work in a variety of sectors, bringing creativity and critical thinking to disciplines like media and entertainment, design, and administration.

The most common employers of performing arts graduates include: Local government; Arts organisations; Education institutions; The National Health Service (NHS); Leisure companies; Voluntary organisations. What career options you can opt for? Those who possess skills and knowledge in performing arts may choose several career paths depending on the area of specialisation. Jobs available in the performing arts sector include some of the following: Actor or actress Ballet or modern dancer Musician Choreographer Makeup artist Set designer Community arts worker Drama the rapist Music therapistTheatre director Short-term or freelance contracts, opportunities through networking, attending auditions, collaborating with other artists and putting on your own shows can also be an essential part of a performers life.

In performing arts, you have different specialisation like dance, drama, music, etc. According to your course you have core subjects. Majoring in performing arts involves study that integrates the overlapping fields of drama, music and dance practices. Even when students specialize in one of the three areas, they will take courses in the other performance arts disciplines as well, as well as taking some general education courses.

Performing arts are all pervading bringing colour and joy to numerous festivals and ceremonies, and reaffirming the faith of the people in their heritage. These facets have been responsible for sustaining the long continuities of ancient traditions. They are the link between the past and the present. It thus exemplifies the complex, organic interaction of all aspects of life implicit in all tribal and folk art forms; art is not seen as something apart from life, a mere ornamentation or entertainment, but as an intrinsic part of it.

A performing arts B.A. Programme may include courses in the following subject areas:

• Music performance
• Theatre history
• Dance and culture
• Musical theatre
• Dance technique
• Dramatic literature

The Courses in Performing Arts include:- 

• B.A. (Music Tabla)
• B.A. (Theatre)
• B.A. (Music Vocal)
• BPA (Music Tabla)
• BPA (Theatre)

Following are the Career opportunity:-

• Actor
• Community arts worker
• Dancer
• Dramatherapist
• Music therapist
• Theatre director

Thes are the Top Colleges for Performing Arts:-

1. Loyola College, Chennai
2. Christ University, Bangalore
3. Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar
4. St. Xavier's College, Mumbai
5. K. J Somaiya College of Arts and Commerce, Mumbai.

1.     Top companies that hire Art graduates are:

A Bachelor of Fine Arts degree will often require an area of specially such as acting, musical theater, ceramics, computer animation, creative writing, dance, dramatic writing, drawing, fibre, film production, visual effects, animation, graphic design, illustration, industrial design, visual arts, technical arts, interior design, metalworking, music, new media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, stage management, or television production.

You may pursue a Masters course in any of the above field.

Yes, Performing Arts is a good career choice for those interested and passionate to perform on stage. It can be any form of art like dance, theatre, music etc. A career in the performing arts can be tremendously fulfilling. Candidates get to put their skills and imagination to use by engaging and entertaining others. They can work in a range of fields, including music, film, television, and theater. A wonderful way to travel and experience the globe is through the performing arts.

The Performing Arts can be defined as the arts that are performed for an audience such as music, dance, and drama. Meanwhile, Visual Arts is the art form created by artists using canvas, paint etc. to create physical or static art objects.Some of the examples of Fine Arts are Architecture, Painting, Sculpture, Performing Arts, Music, Photography, Poetry etc.  Furthermore, it includes the Seven forms of Fine Arts which are Sculpture, Architecture, Literature, Performing, Painting, Music and Film. 

Arts (Fine/Visual/Performing) deals with the study of a wide variety of art forms covered under three main headers:

1.     Undergraduate Diploma courses are offered after completing Class 12th and the course duration is within 1-2 years.This course is very different from an undergraduate course in terms of duration as well as fees. Some of these PG Diploma courses are as follows:

The primary degrees available under the fine arts umbrella are:

1. Painting
2. Sculpture
3. Animation
4. Photography
5. Printmaking
6. Dance
7. Film and television
8. Musical theater
9. Theater

Surbhi,

Design is a field that is age old and has been evolving every year like science. The world has changed a lot and a lot of new & wonderful careers in design have come up. Sometimes student Artists are too much enamoured by Fine Arts preventing them to look objectively at Design. Again like science it pays to be at the cutting edge. For e.g. science students do better if they go for CS or IT since that are areas where development is taking place rapidly.

Similarly in Design the cutting edge areas are UID/ UXD, 3D Printing, Immersive Technology, Augmented Reality, 3D Projection etc, besides of course Game Design & Animation. Of course at the top of the pile lies Concept Designing (usually reserved for writers and visionaries) - these people are required by Event Companies, Animation Studios, VFX Studios, & of course Game Studios. At this stage, you may want to understand the creative world & the careers it offers. Interiors, textile as well as Web Design rely on the same skills - your layout skills & color sense. Journalism also is at this level and relies on your language skills & knowledge of history and current affairs. A little higher perches Graphic Design, Fashion Design, jewellery design, Acting, & Fine Arts which rely on one of your artistic skills - sketching & imagination. At a similar level perches VFX as well as Motion Graphics which rely on one of your artistic skills - Cinematographic skills & imagination. Then come careers like Animation, Film Making, Game Design which rely on multiple talents like your authority over sketching, acting, direction, voice, sound, writing, storytelling & problem solving skills etc. Any extra skill can be used in this. So it turns out to be one of the most challenging as well as satisfying careers. Sure not recommended for the weak hearted. Do remember that digital design careers (e.g. web design, graphics, UI design, animation, vfx, multimedia) give better profits since they can be delivered anywhere in the world & hence may earn in dollars - resulting in better rewards for designers. 

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Hi Cobi,

Visual arts expresses feeling, emotion, opinion, or taste through visual means such as photography, painting, sculpting, and drawing while performing arts express opinion, emotion, feeling, or taste by means of performance such as theatre, music, and public speech.

All the Best

There are various Arts courses available in India at UG, PG level and some colleges also provide certificate or Diploma courseswhich are:

• Undergraduate Courses:
  • Bachelor of Arts (BA)
  • BA (Hons) in subjects like English, History, Political Science, Psychology, Philosophy, Sociology, etc.
  • BA in Journalism, Fine Arts, Music, Dance, etc.
• Postgraduate Courses:
  • MA in subjects like History, Literature, Political Science, Philosophy, Sociology, etc.
  • MA in Fine Arts, Psychology, Design, or Journalism.
• Diplomas/Certifications:
  • Certificate or Diploma in Arts-related subjects like Graphic Design, Animation, Theatre Arts, etc.

One's communication and teamwork abilities can be enhanced by taking courses in the performing arts. You'll gain knowledge on how to collaborate with others to put on a performance. Additionally, you'll discover efficient ways to interact with your audience. Your social skills can be strengthened by taking performing arts classes. You will pick up social skills, relationship-building techniques, and teamwork abilities. Additionally, you'll discover efficient ways to communicate with people. 

Enrolling at a reputable university that provides pertinent courses is normally required to obtain an art degree in India. The general procedures for obtaining an art degree in India are mentioned below. Also click to read Fine Arts Courses After 10th.

• Research art programmes in India.
• Choose a specific field of art.
• Check eligibility criteria for chosen programmes.
• Prepare for and take any required entrance exams.
• Complete the application process, including submitting necessary documents.
• Explore financial aid options.
• Attend interviews or portfolio reviews, if required.
• Upon acceptance, confirm enrollment according to institution instructions.
• Actively participate in coursework, including practical assignments.
• Seek internship opportunities and build a network in the art community.
• Complete graduation requirements to obtain your art degree.

A Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) differ primarily in their programme focus and structure. Despite being undergraduate degrees, they differ in terms of their focus on academic subjects and aspirations for their careers.

Bachelor of Arts degree includes liberal arts courses like Literature,  History,  etc.. while a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) includes more design studies and intensive art subjects. BA is an all-encompassing subject that includes various career options such as Gender Studies, Literature, and other liberal studies.

Fine Arts on the other hand consists of courses in sculpture and other such visual arts which are meant to enhance the beauty of objects and make them more appealing to the clients. However, it is to be noted that many colleges have the nomenclature of offering BA courses in various disciplines of fine arts. Read Bachelor of Fine Arts: BFA Specialisations, Scope and Career Options.