19 Visual & Performing Arts Field of Interest
Visual & Performing Arts Field of Interest
What Is the Visual & Performing Arts Field?
The Visual & Performing Arts field focuses on creative expression through visual art, performance, and design. Students explore artistic practices in areas such as painting, sculpture, music, theater, and related arts.
Programs in this field allow students to practice their craft, strengthen their artistic skills, and build a portfolio of their work. Students also explore career paths as artists, performers, designers, theater managers, marketing professionals, and other professionals who support the arts.
These majors prepare students to create, perform, and share artistic work while learning about the range of careers available in their chosen field.
How to Use This Section
This page is designed to help you explore majors connected to the field of Visual & Performing Arts.
You can:
- Review the list of majors in this field
- Select a specific major to learn more about classes, skills, and career pathways
- Compare multiple majors to see which best aligns with your interests and goals
While you entered LaGuardia with a specific major, we invite you to explore the various majors in this field to see which one fits your own interests and goals best. If you find that another major might work better for you, you can always switch. However, it is important to talk to your FYS professor or advisor first.
Majors in This Field
The Visual and Performing Arts field includes the following associate degree programs, organized by career community. Each career community brings together related majors that share similar skills, career paths, and areas of focus. Select “View the Major Moment” next to a major to see the area of study’s learning environment and activities.
Arts & Technology Career Community
- Music Recording Technology, AAS — View the Major Moment
- New Media Technology, AAS — View the Major Moment
Performing Arts Career Community
- Film & Television, AA — View the Major Moment
- Music Performance, AS — View the Major Moment
- Theater, AS — View the Major Moment
Visual Arts Career Community
- Fine Arts, AS — View the Major Moment
- Fine Arts: Design Studies, AS
- Industrial Design, AAS
- Photography, AAS — View the Major Moment
Notable Features of These Majors
While each major has a different focus, programs in this field often share several features:
- Opportunities to practice artistic craft in areas such as visual art, music, theater, and design
- Development of creative work that may be included in a professional portfolio
- Exposure to career paths across the arts, including roles as artists, performers, designers, and professionals who support arts organizations
- Exploration of the many career options available within the visual and performing arts
Approaches to Inquiry and Research
Research in the field of visual and performing arts covers a broad range of topics and invites discovery and creative problem solving through interpretive and reflective approaches. This field encourages artists and scholars to generate knowledge through a combination of practice and theory. Students not only produce art but also contribute to broader conversations about human experience and culture. Through inquiry and research, students develop critical understanding of art and performance practices and essential skills for effective communication.
What Comes Next
To continue exploring:
- Click on a specific major to learn about that program in more detail or connect with the Humanities Department.
- Review degree maps to understand required and recommended courses
- Speak with an academic advisor about how these majors align with your goals
- In the Career Exploration and Connections chapter, you will be introduced to resources that can help you explore work environments, skills, and career pathways.
