Illustration Schools in Massachusetts

The state of Massachusetts is one of the oldest places in the U.S. It’s home to the first public park in America—Boston Common; the city of Boston built the country’s first subway system (not New York); the very first basketball game was played in Springfield, and the first Thanksgiving Day was celebrated in Plymouth (1621). With so much history, its not surprising that Massachusetts is also home to the oldest university in the U.S., and some of the most prestigious.

Founded in 1636, Harvard University is the nations oldest and most prestigious university. It is also ranked as the second best university in the world. The Bay State is also home to other historic, world famous schools such as MIT-Massachusetts Institute of Technology—the third best university in the world, Amherst College, and Wellesley College.

There are more than 120 accredited colleges in Massachusetts. Many have a reputation for being as selective as the state’s top schools. Some of these institutions are art & design schools, while others are traditional colleges that offer art programs. Just a few include Massachusetts College of Art & Design, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, and Smith College.

Massachusetts Illustration Schools

Of the state’s top art schools or schools that offer art programs, several are well known for their illustration programs. These programs are offered at several degree levels including a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B. F. A.) and Master of Fine Arts (M. F. A). Scroll through the list below to look at Massachusetts’s illustration schools and what they have to offer.

Beverly
Montserrat College of Art - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Animation and Interactive Media, Graphic Design, Illustration

Boston
Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Animation, Design, Illustration; M. F. A. Visual Arts; Advanced Professional Certificates in Animation, Design and Illustration

The New England School of Art & Design at Suffolk University - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Graphic Design, Illustration; M. A. Graphic Design; Certificate in Graphic Design

Dartmouth
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Visual Design with Concentration in Digital Media, Graphic Design, Illustration; M. F. A. Visual Design with Emphasis in Digital Media, Graphic Design or Illustration

More Illustration related programs to consider:  

Employment and Salary Trends for Massachusetts Illustrators

Massachusetts is home to nearly 56,000 salaried artists. The population of salaried artists here has increased greatly since 2002, when the state was home to around 38,890 artists. More than 400 of the state’s salaried artists are fine artists/illustrators. The population of salaried fine artists/illustrators here has increased as well since 2002, when the state was home to only 290 fine artists/illustrators.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not report population figures for freelance illustrators in Massachusetts. However, hundreds of independent artists live and work in the state, especially in principal cities such as Boston, Springfield, and Cambridge. Across the nation, there are more than 23,000 salaried fine artists/illustrators and thousands of independent artists. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 9 percent increase in the population of illustrators between 2008 and 2018. This means, in the next 6 years, the population could hit 25,700.

Salaries for fine artists/illustrators living in Massachusetts have been on the rise since 2002. In 2002, they averaged $39,670. In 2006, the average salary was $45,260. By 2010, the average salary had increased to $45,960. In 2010, the median annual wages of illustrators nationwide were $42,650. The lowest paid illustrators earned less than $20,780, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $83,410. The middle 50 percent earned between $29,230 and $60,650.

The Bureau reports an average salary of $51,340 for independent artists (nationwide). However, “earnings for self-employed artists vary widely.” Independent illustrator’s that are new to the field can expect to earn as much as the lowest paid illustrators. Seasoned freelancers may earn more than the highest paid illustrators. Freelance artists are responsible for their own benefits, so this may affect salaries some.