Studio Art Schools in Missouri

Studio art is one of the most diverse art programs in the world of art. Studio art includes a variety of art forms such as ceramics, sculpture, glass, drawing, painting, transmedia (digital arts, performance art, and video art), photography, and more. Studio art programs allow students to spend a significant amount of time in the studio developing skills in multiple areas of art. Having a diverse skill set in the world of art is a valuable asset as it can be applied to a wide variety of career fields from animation to painting to web design.

Specific job titles for studio art graduates include (but are not limited to) art administrator, art consultant, set designer, photojournalist, web designer, mural artist, animator, illustrator, art director, graphic designer, cartoonist, display painter, cover artist, assistant curator, gallery owner, and even courtroom sketch artist. These and many other careers are open to studio artists living in the state of Missouri thanks to active art and culture scenes in St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, Independence, Columbia, and other principal cities. In addition, Missouri is home to many top schools that offer excellent programs for aspiring artists of all kinds—including studio artists.

Missouri Studio Art Schools

According to the most recent report by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), the state of Missouri is home to 138 accredited colleges and universities. They can be found all over the state, but some of the most popular options for aspiring artists are in major cities such as Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield, Independence, and Columbia. Just a few top Missouri schools for artists include Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI), University of Missouri (Columbia), Missouri State University (Springfield), and the University of Missouri (St. Louis).

Scroll through the list below to find out which Missouri schools are tops for aspiring studio artists and what they have to offer. 

Saint Charles
Lindenwood University - Degrees Offered: B. A. Digital Cinema Arts, Interactive Media and Web Design; B. F. A. Studio Art with Computer and Graphic Art Emphasis; M. A., M. F. A. Studio Art with Computer Art Emphasis

St. Joseph
Missouri Western State University – Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Digital Animation, Graphic Design, Studio Art with Concentration in Illustration; M. A. A. Integrated Media

St. Louis
University of Missouri - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Studio Art with Graphic Design Emphasis

Warrensburg
University of Central Missouri - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Graphic Design, Studio Art with Illustration Emphasis

More Studio Art related programs to consider:  

Employment and Salary Trends for Missouri Studio Artists

According to the latest report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (March 27, 2012), the state of Missouri is home 33,840 artists and designers. Although the population of artists here has decreased slightly since 2002, when the state was home to 33,930 artists, salaries have increased. Missouri artists and designers average around $43,160, up from 37,540 in 2002.

It is important to note that salaries vary by industry, company, experience, location, and more. For example, at $86,860 per year, the highest paying (creative) industry for artists nationwide is the motion picture and video industry, and at an average salary of $108,430 nationwide, art directors are the highest paid artists in the field. In the state of Missouri, art directors average around $66,440 while animators and multimedia artists average $54,380. Fine artists here average around $49,000 per year.

Salaries for independent artists and entrepreneurs also vary based on experience, specialization, type of company, location, and other factors. For example, illustrators that work for multiple Missouri firms may average $40,000-$80,000+ per year. However, according to the most recent report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for “independent artists” is $70,200 per year, up from $51,340 for 2008-2010.