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Artist-in-residence education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an artist-in-residence. Artists-in residence usually study fine arts, music, or graphic design. 66% of artists-in residence hold a bachelor's degree, and 22% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,687 real artist-in-residence resumes to see exactly what artist-in-residence education sections show.
The most common colleges for artists-in residence are the Savannah College of Art and Design and the Savannah College of Art and Design.
There are also many online artist-in-residence courses to help get the education required to be an artist-in-residence.
What education do you need to become an artist-in-residence?
What degree do you need to be an artist-in-residence?
- Bachelor's, 66%
- Master's, 22%
- Associate, 5%
- High School Diploma, 3%
- Other Degrees, 4%
What should I major in to become an artist-in-residence?
- Fine Arts, 39%
- Music, 10%
- Graphic Design, 9%
- Other Majors, 36%
Most common colleges for artists-in residence
| Artist-in-residence common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Savannah College of Art and Design | 10.00% |
| School of the Art Institute of Chicago | 9.05% |
| New York University | 7.62% |
| The New School | 5.24% |
| The University of the Arts | 5.24% |
Best majors for artists-in residence
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fine Arts | 38.6% |
| 2 | Music | 9.6% |
| 3 | Graphic Design | 8.5% |
| 4 | General Education, Specific Areas | 5.7% |
| 5 | Theatre | 5.2% |
Best colleges for artists-in residence
The best colleges for artists-in residence are University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University, and Northwestern University.
An artist-in-residence with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for artists-in residence. 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 artists-in residence.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,465
Enrollment
6,483
3. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
4. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
6. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
7. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
8. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
9. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
10. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
20 best online courses for artists-in residence
Advertising disclosure
1. 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...
2. 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...
3. 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...
4. Photoshop and Photography Digital Art Compositing Course
Learn Adobe Photoshop CC and photography by designing levitation digital art composites from four photoshoots...
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. The Art of Figure to Ground: Photography's untaught secret
For years, the Art of Figure to Ground was only taught to artists...
8. The Art of Finding Light: Photography for the artist in you
Spotting great lighting is not a gift, it is Skill. Become a photographer who knows how to find great light...
9. 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...
10. 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...
11. Digital Painting in Photoshop: Create Amazing Concept Art
Create stunning concept art with Adobe Photoshop and learn the features to aid in that process...
12. Line Art Master
Create stunning drawings with Adobe Photoshop...
13. Positive Psychology Art Coaching
Art activities for children to help build confidence & selfesteem...
14. Art History Prehistory to the Renaissance
This is an actual college level course that is taught at several accredited colleges...
15. Adobe Illustrator for Mobile Game Art - A Beginners Guide
Create mobile game art in Adobe illustrator just by using basic concepts, essential tools and proven workflows...
16. Fluid Art Mastery: Abstract Flow Art Secrets Revealed
9 Steps To Being A Successful Paint Pouring Artist...
17. 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...
18. Learn Professional Pixel Art & Animation for Games
Become an exquisite pixel artist and animator...
19. Pixel Art Master Course - Beginner to Professional/Freelance
Learn ALL about pixel art in an always growing course! Get access to basic and pro techniques with daily feedbacks!...
20. Art History Renaissance to 20th Century
This is an actual college level course that is taught at several accredited colleges...
Top 10 most affordable universities for artists-in residence
The most affordable schools for artists-in residence are University of Florida, brooklyn college of the city university of new york, and lehman college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for artists-in residence 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 artists-in residence.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
3. Lehman College of the City University of New York
Bronx, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,210
Cost of attendance
14,359
4. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
5. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
6. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
7. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
8. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
9. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
10. Minot State University
Minot, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$7,064
Cost of attendance
15,576
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for artists-in residence
The hardest universities for artists-in residence to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon University, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for artists-in residence 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 artists-in residence 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. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
2. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
4. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
5. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
6. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
7. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
8. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
9. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
10. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for artists-in residence
The easiest schools for artists-in residence to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, wayland baptist university, and mount saint mary's university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an artist-in-residence 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 artists-in residence.
1. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
2. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
3. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
4. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
5. Grand View University
Des Moines, IA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,060
6. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
7. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
8. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
9. Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,099
10. Linfield College
McMinnville, OR • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
1,117
Average artist-in-residence salary by education level
| Artist-in-residence education level | Artist-in-residence salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $64,678 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $42,434 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $64,908 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $49,877 |
Artist-in-residence education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025