Art Schools in Louisiana

Ah, Louisiana—home of the world famous Mardi Gras celebration and historic antebellum homes such as Nottoway—the South’s largest remaining. This scenic state is also famous for its art and culture scene and it’s easy to understand why. Major Louisiana cities, such as New Orleans, are filled with street artists and performers, art galleries big and small, production studios, design centers, and museums galore. Just a few of the state’s celebrated art museums include New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) and university-affiliated art museums such as LSU Museum of Art of Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge and Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum of the University of Louisiana University at Lafayette.

Sure, The Pelican State is great fun for all, but it also has a serious side. Louisiana is the birthplace of the Southern University System. This innovative university system has a number of standouts for aspiring artists, from LSU in bustling Baton Rouge to Nicholls University in the tiny town of Thibodaux. These schools are among the state’s 70+ accredited colleges. The Pelican State is also home to hundreds of community colleges and art and design centers that offer art classes for credit or personal enrichment.

Louisiana Art Schools

More than 225,000 students are enrolled in Louisiana colleges and thousands are enrolled in Louisiana art schools or traditional colleges with art programs. More than 200 aspiring artists are enrolled in the state’s top art schools alone. Scroll through the list below to take a look at Louisiana’s top schools for artists and what they have to offer.  
 
Baton Rouge
Louisiana State University - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Graphic Design, Studio Art with Concentration in Digital Art; M. F. A. Graphic Design

Hammond
Southeastern Louisiana University - Degrees Offered: B. A. Graphic Design, Art with Concentration in New Media and Animation

Lafayette
University of Louisiana at Lafayette - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Visual Arts with Concentration in Graphic Design, Animation and Computer Arts, or Media Art

Monroe
University of Louisiana at Monroe - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Art with Concentration in Graphic Design

Natchitoches
Northwestern State University of Louisiana - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Fine Arts with Concentration in Graphic Communications

New Orleans
University of New Orleans - Degrees Offered: B. A. Studio Art with Concentration in Digital Media; M. F. A. Studio Art

Thibodaux
Nicholls University - Degrees Offered: B. A. Art with Concentration in Graphic Design

More Art related programs to consider:  

Employment and Salary Trends for Louisiana Artists

Louisiana is home to around 15,760 salaried artists from painters and sculptors to digital artists. The population of salaried artists increased from 14,600 in 2002 and salaries rose from $33,430 in 2002 to $40,550 in 2010. The mean annual wage for artists nationwide was $52,290 in 2010. In 2002, the average salary was $41,660.

Fine Artists: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Louisiana was home to 110 salaried fine artists in 2002. By 2010, the population had decreased to 70. However, the average salary for fine artists more than doubled between 2002 and 2010. The Bureau also reports an average salary of $25,010 in 2002, and $53,470 in 2010.

Art Directors: Louisiana had a population of 80 art directors in 2002. By 2010, the population doubled to 160. Salaries nearly doubled as well, during the same period. In 2002, Louisiana art directors averaged $46,090. In 2010, they averaged $89,420.