Media Arts Schools in Virginia

Media artists have a variety of exciting careers to choose from. A typical media arts program prepares students for a career in radio broadcasting, advertising, film, television production, and public relations, to name a few. In the State of Virginia, media arts graduates eventually end up in a major city such as Virginia Beach, Norfolk, or Chesapeake where you’ll find a variety of employment options at creative agencies, production studios, media and communications firms, and more. Just a few options include The Martin Agency (Richmond), LM&O Advertising (Arlington), TriVision Studios (Chantilly), and New Millennium Studios (Petersburg).

In addition to employment opportunities, Virginia is home to a number of colleges that offer training programs for aspiring artists and designers—including media artists. Just a few options for aspiring media artists include Liberty University in Lynchburg, James Madison University (Harrisonburg), and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond.

A typical digital arts program includes coursework and workshops in audio production, screenwriting, film, broadcast news writing, mass media, and television production.

The best programs also feature internship opportunities and state-of-the-art production  facilities. Continue reading to find out which schools offer the best programs for aspiring media artists.
 
Virginia Media Arts Schools

According to the latest Institute of Education Sciences (IES) report, Virginia is home to 129 Title IV colleges and universities. More than 400,000 students are enrolled with thousands attending the states top art and design schools alone. Scroll through the list below to review Virginia’s best options for aspiring media artists and what they have to offer.

Arlington
Marymount University - Degrees Offered: B. A. Art, Graphic Design; B. S. Information Technology with Specialization in Interactive Media; Minor in Illustration, Studio Art, Media and Performance Studies

Charlottesville
University of Virginia - Degrees Offered: B.A. Art, Media Studies, Studio Art with Concentration in New Media; Minor in Film, Media Studies

Harrisonburg
James Madison - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Graphic Design, Media Art and Design with Concentration in Digital Video and Cinema

Lynchburg
Liberty University - Degrees Offered: B. S. Studio Art, Studio and Digital Arts: Graphic Design, Communication with Cinematic Arts Concentration, Communication Studies with Digital Media Concentration, Visual Communication Arts with Studio Art Concentration; B.S. Web Technology and Design; M.A. Communication Studies with Media and Communication Studies Concentration; Minor in Graphic Design, Photography, Studio Art

Richmond
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) - Degrees Offered: B.A., B. F. A. Art; B. F. A. Communication Arts, Graphic Design, Kinetic Imaging; M. F. A. Design with Specialization in Visual Communications, Kinetic Imaging; PhD Media Art & Text

Staunton                                                                                                             Mary Baldwin College - Degrees Offered: B. A. Studio Art with Emphasis in Drawing, Extended Media, Graphic Design, Photography, Printmaking; B.A. Art Management, Film Studies, Film Production; Minor in Film Studies, Film Production

Employment and Salary Trends for Virginia Media Artists

According to the most recent report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. is home to 23,610 salaried media and communications professionals. They average a mean salary of $52,700 per year. The highest paid professionals average $91,180 per year, and the lowest paid professionals average $23,900 per year.

While Virginia-based media and communications artists average less than the national average for all media and communications professionals, salaries are still higher than the national average for all careers. The state’s 350 salaried media and communication professionals average $43,030 per year. Virginia is home to 49,990 artists and designers, up from 40,780 in 2002. They average $56,940 per year, up from $42,310 in 2002.

The following salary and employment information covers just a few career options for Virginia-based media artists.

Art Director: Virginia-based art directors average $85,950 per year, up from $64,490 in 2002. In 2002, the state was home to 560 salaried art directors, up from 400 in 2002.

Film & Video Editors: In 2002, Virginia was home to 290 salaried film & video editors. The population remains the same today, but salaries are on the rise. Virginia-based film & video editors average $54,560 per year, up from $36,100 in 2002.

Multimedia Artists & Animators: Virginia is home to 470 multimedia artist & animators, down from 710 in 2002. Fortunately, salaries are on the rise. In 2002, the state’s salaried multimedia artists & animators $44,230. Today they average $57,990.  

Public Relations: Virginia is home to an impressive 7,300 salaried public relations specialists, up from 4,290 in 2002. Salaries are way up as well. In 2002, Virginia-based PR specialists averaged $48,650. Today, they average $69,250

The broadcasting industry here is home to more than 3,000 salaried workers, averaging anywhere from $29,930 up to $78,100. They work at radio stations, television studios, sound studios, and more.

Because media artists work in so many different fields, opportunities can be found all over the state. However, if you prefer the big city, try Virginia Beach (the state’s largest city), Norfolk (second largest), Chesapeake, Arlington, or Richmond. Other principal cities worth looking into include Newport News, Alexandria, Hampton, Roanoke, and Portsmouth.