Florida is the fourth largest state in the U.S. It is home to major cities such as Miami, Jacksonville, Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Orlando. While art museums, galleries, and performing art centers can be found all over the state, many are located in the state’s principal cities. Just a few major art museums include the Orlando Museum of Art (OMA), Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, the Miami Art Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami, and the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens in Jacksonville.
Florida is also home to hundreds of smaller galleries that showcase everything from folk to local art and the state has its fair share of celebrated living artists such Toni DiTerlizzi (Spiderwick Chronicle artist) Carol Guzy (Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist), and John R. Ellis (special effects artist, animator). Many famous Florida artists began their careers here as students at one of the many major art and design schools located throughout the state. Just a few top Florida art schools include New World School of the Arts in Miami and Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota.
Florida Art Schools
Florida is home to 40 public and 144 private colleges with nearly 800,000 students enrolled. Nearly 4,000 of these students are enrolled in Florida’s major art schools. Others may be enrolled in art programs at traditional colleges, technical colleges, or specialty schools. Florida art schools, and many traditional colleges offer degrees in Fine Art, Studio Art, Digital Art, Experimental Art, and many others. Scroll through the list below see what Florida’s Art schools have to offer.
Boca Raton
Florida Atlantic University – Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Graphic Design; M. F. A. Visual Art: Graphic Design and Media, Technology and Entertainment
Gainesville
University of Florida – Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Graphic Design, Digital Media; M. A. Digital Arts and Sciences, M. F. A. Studio Art with Concentration in Digital Media, Graphic Design
Miami
New World School of the Arts – Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Visual Arts with Concentration in Graphic Design or Electronic Intermedia
Sarasota
Ringling College of Art and Design – Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Graphic and Interactive Communication, Illustration, Motion Design, Computer Animation, Game Art and Design
Tallahassee
Florida State University – Degrees Offered: B. A. and B. F. A. Design with Concentration in Print Design, Interactive Design or Animation and Visual Effects; M. F. A. Art with Concentration in Design or Electronic Media
Tampa
University of South Florida - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Studio Art with Concentration in Graphic Design or Electronic and Digital Media
More Florida Schools with Art related programs:
Employment and Salary Trends for Florida Artists
Florida is home to 84,650 artists specializing in everything from fine to visual effects. This figure has decreased slightly since 2002, when the population was 86,160. Although employment of artists in Florida decreased between 2002 and 2010, salaries are on the rise. The average salary for Florida artists overall was $36,240 in 2002. By 2010, the figure had increased to $46,400. In 2010, the mean annual wage for artists nationwide was $52,290. In 2002, the average salary was $41,660.
Fine Artists: Florida was home to 700 salaried fine artists in 2002. By 2010, the population had increased slightly to 720, which is no small feat for this field, considering today’s economy. Unfortunately salaries declined, significantly between 2002 ($47,240) and 2010 ($34,940).
Art Directors: Florida had a population of 1,030 art directors in 2002. By 2010, the population had decreased to 5,780. However, salaries rose significantly. In 2002, Florida art directors averaged $58,860. In 2010, the average salary was $70,500.
