There are many careers in the visual and performing arts available to young people who would prefer to jump into their career rather than spend four years in college! Consider careers in graphic design, commercial art, acting and directing, interior design, jewelry crafting, music of all kinds, drawing, photography...just to name a few. Sure, many people struggle to make a living in the arts, but it IS still possible and exploring a variety of careers can help you see how best to proceed.
NOTE: We do not list the traditional local Vocational and Trade Schools as that information is easily available. There are thousands of Trade and Tech schools and we could never list them all here! We share schools that specialize, or offer unusual courses that lead to less traditional careers. We hope you gain new ideas here and that this expands your thinking!
Bethel Music
An online school teaching offered by industry leader Bethel Worship teaching worship leadership, sound engineering, song writing and more!
Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences
Offering training in recording, sound engineering, and production. A growing field as video game sound production blossoms, and internet sources increase, this is an interesting career option.
Dick Smith's Special FX Makeup
Training the next generation of makeup artists...learn from the pros, Dick Smith is a lifetime academy award winner.
Special FX Makeup
Learn special effects makeup for film and theater! In depth course available online makes it easy to learn this unique skill.
Share Faith
This is NOT just a link to the top 10 universities, but includes another list of the top 10 Worship Leader Training Programs that are non-degree oriented! Many strong programs are shared here.
The Art Career Project
This is not a school, but it is a wonderful web site to help you and your learner explore careers in art! Each listing includes educational requirements, what the job is like, salary expectations, and more. A great way to begin thinking about ways an artistic learner can turn their gift into a unique career!
Lutherie Schools
American School of Lutherie
With 40 years of excellence in training luthiers, this Portland, Oregon school focuses solely on guitars, and even has a course on how to set up your own shop! Specializing in shorter term courses for adults.
Guild of American Luthiers has a list of many luthier programs, both short and longer term. We have shared a few of their links here below:
Galloup School of Guitar Building and Repair
Workshops to 6 month internships, this is a school that utilizes CNC technology as well as hand craftsmanship. This is a phenomenal school with free housing to boot!
Hot Strings Guitar Shop
Repairs, restorations and building of stringed instruments are all taught at Hot Strings Guitar Shop. They offer short intensive courses as well as educational DVD's to help a student discover what lutherie careers are like!
The Chimney's Violin Making Apprentice Program
Are you interested in a serious apprenticeship program learning how to craft a violin, cello, or viola the old school artisan way? This is the place to go...taught by some of the finest craftsmen who are certified masters in their field, you will learn how to use hand tools, carving tools, and even to make varnishes. This is not a short course, but a years long apprenticeship program from which you will emerge a superb crafts person.
The New World School of Violin Making
Based in Wisconsin, this school consists of a program of 3-3 1/2 years and requires the student to take violin lessons separately. This is a start to finish program, designing and building instruments from the ground up. The instructor, Brian T. Derber, holds B.S and M.S degrees in Industrial Education from the University of Wisconsin – Stout. He is also a graduate of the Chicago School of Violin Making, which is an approved school in the State of Illinois.
An online school teaching offered by industry leader Bethel Worship teaching worship leadership, sound engineering, song writing and more!
Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences
Offering training in recording, sound engineering, and production. A growing field as video game sound production blossoms, and internet sources increase, this is an interesting career option.
Dick Smith's Special FX Makeup
Training the next generation of makeup artists...learn from the pros, Dick Smith is a lifetime academy award winner.
Special FX Makeup
Learn special effects makeup for film and theater! In depth course available online makes it easy to learn this unique skill.
Share Faith
This is NOT just a link to the top 10 universities, but includes another list of the top 10 Worship Leader Training Programs that are non-degree oriented! Many strong programs are shared here.
The Art Career Project
This is not a school, but it is a wonderful web site to help you and your learner explore careers in art! Each listing includes educational requirements, what the job is like, salary expectations, and more. A great way to begin thinking about ways an artistic learner can turn their gift into a unique career!
Lutherie Schools
American School of Lutherie
With 40 years of excellence in training luthiers, this Portland, Oregon school focuses solely on guitars, and even has a course on how to set up your own shop! Specializing in shorter term courses for adults.
Guild of American Luthiers has a list of many luthier programs, both short and longer term. We have shared a few of their links here below:
Galloup School of Guitar Building and Repair
Workshops to 6 month internships, this is a school that utilizes CNC technology as well as hand craftsmanship. This is a phenomenal school with free housing to boot!
Hot Strings Guitar Shop
Repairs, restorations and building of stringed instruments are all taught at Hot Strings Guitar Shop. They offer short intensive courses as well as educational DVD's to help a student discover what lutherie careers are like!
The Chimney's Violin Making Apprentice Program
Are you interested in a serious apprenticeship program learning how to craft a violin, cello, or viola the old school artisan way? This is the place to go...taught by some of the finest craftsmen who are certified masters in their field, you will learn how to use hand tools, carving tools, and even to make varnishes. This is not a short course, but a years long apprenticeship program from which you will emerge a superb crafts person.
The New World School of Violin Making
Based in Wisconsin, this school consists of a program of 3-3 1/2 years and requires the student to take violin lessons separately. This is a start to finish program, designing and building instruments from the ground up. The instructor, Brian T. Derber, holds B.S and M.S degrees in Industrial Education from the University of Wisconsin – Stout. He is also a graduate of the Chicago School of Violin Making, which is an approved school in the State of Illinois.