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Art preparator education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an art preparator. Art preparators usually study fine arts, graphic design, or electrical and power transmission installers. 71% of art preparators hold a bachelor's degree, and 14% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 92 real art preparator resumes to see exactly what art preparator education sections show.
The most common colleges for art preparators are the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
There are also many online art preparator courses to help get the education required to be an art preparator.
What education do you need to become an art preparator?
What degree do you need to be an art preparator?
- Bachelor's, 71%
- Master's, 14%
- Associate, 14%
- Other Degrees, 1%
What should I major in to become an art preparator?
- Fine Arts, 62%
- Graphic Design, 5%
- Other Majors, 27%
Most common colleges for art preparators
| Art preparator common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| School of the Art Institute of Chicago | 14.81% |
| Brown University | 7.41% |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | 7.41% |
| Florida International University | 7.41% |
| University of New Orleans | 7.41% |
Best majors for art preparators
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fine Arts | 61.9% |
| 2 | Graphic Design | 4.8% |
| 3 | Electrical And Power Transmission Installers | 3.2% |
| 4 | Visual And Performing Arts | 3.2% |
| 5 | Liberal Arts | 3.2% |
Best colleges for art preparators
The best colleges for art preparators are Harvard University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.
An art preparator with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for art preparators. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become art preparators.
1. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
2. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
3. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Enrollment
34,564
4. University of Maryland - College Park
College Park, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$10,595
Enrollment
30,184
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
6. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
7. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
8. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Enrollment
30,905
9. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
10. SUNY Oneonta
Oneonta, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,421
Enrollment
6,021
20 best online courses for art preparators
Advertising disclosure
1. Modern Art & Ideas
Welcome to Modern Art & Ideas! This course is designed for anyone interested in learning more about modern and contemporary art. Over the next five weeks, you will look at art through a variety of themes: Places & Spaces, Art & Identity, Transforming Everyday Objects, and Art & Society. Each week kicks off with a video that connects works of art from The Museum of Modern Art’s collection to the theme. You will hear audio interviews with artists, designers, and curators and learn more about...
2. Agent-based Generative Art | NetLogo
"Generative art refers to any art practice where the artist creates a process, such as a computer program, which is then set into motion with some degree of autonomy contributing to or resulting in a completed work of art." - Wikipedia In this guided project you will develop an agent-based computer program capable of generating visual art pieces. By doing so you will be introduced to the basics of ABM and NetLogo. Furthermore, at the end of this journey you will be able to share such pieces...
3. Pixel Art Fundamentals: Introduction to 2D Game Pixel Art
Make 2D Art for Video Games Using Libresprite / Aseprite. Create icons, images, HUD, simple animations and game scenes...
4. Art Therapy: Personal Development and Self Healing with Art
Arts Therapy heals ! Improve your Mental Health with 30 Art Therapy Exercises ...
5. Pixel Art for Video Games
This course is aimed to give you the tools and knowledge you need to start creating simple art for video games made in the Unity game engine. Through the aesthetic of pixel art we will explore artistic principals like shape language, color theory, and composition as well as show you a step by step workflow for creating assets that you can use to make your own games. The course is broken into 4 main modules, props, environments, characters, and animation. Each of these courses will have a series...
6. Low Poly Art For Video Games
This course is aimed to give you the tools and knowledge you need to start creating simple 3D art for video games made in the Unity game engine. Through the aesthetic of pixel art we will explore artistic principals like shape language, color theory, and composition as well as show you a step by step workflow for creating assets that you can use to make your own games. The course is broken into 4 main modules, props, environments, characters, and animation. Each of these courses will have a...
7. Positive Psychology Art Coaching
Art activities for children to help build confidence & selfesteem...
8. Art Therapy: Art Therapy Exercises For Healing In Life
35 Art Therapy exercises for life happiness & stress management. Art therapy with paintings, art & affirmations...
9. ART of the MOOC: Activism and Social Movements
This course is for activists, artists, and thinkers who wish to better understand and participate in social change. We will focus on the prolific and exciting overlap between socially engaged art and cultural practices generated by recent social movements around the world. Rather than assess the political efficacy of activities like mourning, listening, organizing, dancing, or partying, the lectures examine such cultural activities next to, and within, contemporary art practice. Included in the...
10. Leading Innovation in Arts and Culture
Developed by David Owens at Vanderbilt University and customized for the cultural sector with National Arts Strategies, this course is designed to help arts and culture leaders create an environment where new ideas are constantly created, shared, evaluated and the best ones are successfully put to work. One of the toughest challenges for any leader is getting traction for new ideas. Winning support can be a struggle. As a result, powerful new ideas often get stuck. This is especially true in...
11. Learn Pixel Art for Games
Understand creating Pixel Art for use in Games...
12. The Art of Figure to Ground: Photography's untaught secret
For years, the Art of Figure to Ground was only taught to artists...
13. Internationally Accredited Certificate in Art Therapy
Therapeutic Art Therapy Course / Masterclass for Healing and Life Coaching...
14. Fluid Art Mastery: Abstract Flow Art Secrets Revealed
9 Steps To Being A Successful Paint Pouring Artist...
15. Art for Beginners & Kids: 8 Drawing & Mixed-Media Projects
The Perfect Class to Learn Drawing, Painting, Watercolor, Pastel and Mixed Media Art Skills for Kids & Beginners...
16. The Art of Seeing Photography training for the Artist in you
Discover how to see like an artist & take the best photos of your life...
17. Create and Sell Digital Art using AI [Passive Income]
Learn to Generate amazing arts & graphics using AI and turn it into a business by selling art and freelance services...
18. Beginner Resin Art - Acrylic, Ink & Mixed Media Zen Painting
Creating A Zen Art piece on an aluminum disk with Resin, Acrylics and other mixed media - Beginner step by step...
19. DALL•E Mastery: Create Impressive AI Art
Learn to master this revolutionary new art form and create visually stunning art...
20. Learn the ART of Video Games
Learn to create game environments. Draw concept art, create 3D models, texture in Substance Painter and build in Unity...
Top 10 most affordable universities for art preparators
The most affordable schools for art preparators are University of Florida, fashion institute of technology, and brigham young university.
If the best universities for art preparators are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for art preparators.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. Fashion Institute of Technology
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$5,740
Cost of attendance
17,864
3. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
4. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
5. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
6. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
7. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
8. USF St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,821
Cost of attendance
19,849
9. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Cost of attendance
25,275
10. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for art preparators
The hardest universities for art preparators to get into are Harvard University, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for art preparators are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for art preparators based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
2. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
4. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
6. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
Admissions rate
23%
SAT average
1,434
7. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
8. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,461
9. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,517
10. Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,465
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for art preparators
The easiest schools for art preparators to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, mount saint mary's university, and curry college.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an art preparator without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for art preparators.
1. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
2. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
3. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
4. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
5. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
6. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
7. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
8. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
9. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
10. Clarke University
Dubuque, IA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
1,058
Average art preparator salary by education level
| Art preparator education level | Art preparator salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $70,077 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $58,010 |
Art preparator education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025