What are the current occupations of arts alumni?

Where do artists reside?

How satisfied are arts alumni with their education?

How many arts alumni have graduate degrees?

The Strategic National Arts Alumni Project (SNAAP) has created this unique website to frame a clearer picture of arts alumni in America. The 2013 SnaapShot includes responses from the 2011, 2012, and 2013 SNAAP surveys – over 92,000 arts graduates from American institutions. Each year more and more survey respondents provide priceless information for the next generation of arts students.

Click through the site to gain current knowledge on issues regarding arts majors, skills, locations, degrees, occupations, and debt & earnings.

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Arts majors

Arts Majors

A Breakdown of Participants* by Arts Majors**

What is this? | Footnotes

What is this?

You are looking at the breakdown of respondents by major. Rollover the colored circles or the legend below for more information.

Footnotes

* For participants in the 2011, 2012, and 2013 SNAAP survey. Only respondents from U.S. institutions are included in all SnaapShot numbers to ensure the confidentiality of non-U.S. institutional data.

** Major art field of study while at participating institution

*** Overall rating of experience at participating institution

Note: Percentages will not sum to 100% as respondents could select more than one field of study

These data do not represent all arts alumni, but rather the responses of graduates from those institutions that chose to participate in SNAAP in 2011, 2012, and 2013.

Architecture Art History Arts Administration Arts Education
Creative / Other Writing Dance Design
Fine / Studio Arts
Media Arts Music History /
      Composition
Music Performance Theatre Other Arts Majors
Architecture (6%)
Gender

Male: 64%

Female: 36%

Transgender: 0.1%

Education Satisfaction***

Poor: 1%

Fair: 6%

Good: 40%

Excellent: 54%

Top 3 Occupations

Architect

Construction

Building, Maintenance, Installation, and Repair

Art History (4%)
Gender

Male: 16%

Female: 84%

Transgender: 0.1%

Education Satisfaction***

Poor: 1%

Fair: 7%

Good: 41%

Excellent: 51%

Top 3 Occupations

Education, Training, and Library

Museum or Gallery Worker, including Curator

Office and Administrative Support

Arts Administration (1%)
Gender

Male: 21%

Female: 78%

Transgender: 0.2%

Education Satisfaction***

Poor: 1%

Fair: 10%

Good: 43%

Excellent: 46%

Top 3 Occupations

Arts Administrator or Manager

Communications

Office and Administrative Support

Arts Education (9%)
Gender

Male: 35%

Female: 65%

Transgender: 0.1%

Education Satisfaction***

Poor: 1%

Fair: 5%

Good: 34%

Excellent: 61%

Top 3 Occupations

K-12 Arts Educator

Education, Training, and Library

Private Teacher of the Arts

Creative / Other Writing (2%)
Gender

Male: 30%

Female: 70%

Transgender: 0.4%

Education Satisfaction***

Poor: 1%

Fair: 8%

Good: 40%

Excellent: 51%

Top 3 Occupations

Writer, Author, Editor

Education, Training, and Library

Communications

Dance (2%)
Gender

Male: 13%

Female: 86%

Transgender: 0.2%

Education Satisfaction***

Poor: 1%

Fair: 5%

Good: 31%

Excellent: 62%

Top 3 Occupations

Dancer or Choreographer

Education, Training, and Library

Private Teacher of the Arts

Design (13%)
Gender

Male: 38%

Female: 62%

Transgender: 0.1%

Education Satisfaction***

Poor: 1%

Fair: 7%

Good: 41%

Excellent: 51%

Top 3 Occupations

Graphic Designer, Illustrator, or Art Director

Communications

Sales

Fine / Studio Arts (29%)
Gender

Male: 36%

Female: 64%

Transgender: 0.2%

Education Satisfaction***

Poor: 1%

Fair: 8%

Good: 41%

Excellent: 50%

Top 3 Occupations

Fine Artist

Education, Training, and Library

Graphic Designer, Illustrator, or Art Director

Media Arts (11%)
Gender

Male: 48%

Female: 51%

Transgender: 0.2%

Education Satisfaction***

Poor: 2%

Fair: 9%

Good: 43%

Excellent: 47%

Top 3 Occupations

Communications

Graphic Designer, Illustrator, or Art Director

Film, TV, Video Artist

Music History / Composition (2%)
Gender

Male: 67%

Female: 33%

Transgender: 0.1%

Education Satisfaction***

Poor: 1%

Fair: 6%

Good: 32%

Excellent: 60%

Top 3 Occupations

Musician

Education, Training, and Library

Higher Education Arts Educator

Music Performance (13%)
Gender

Male: 44%

Female: 56%

Transgender: 0.2%

Education Satisfaction***

Poor: 1%

Fair: 6%

Good: 33%

Excellent: 60%

Top 3 Occupations

Musician

Private Teacher of the Arts

Education, Training, and Library

Theatre (9%)
Gender

Male: 40%

Female: 60%

Transgender: 0.2%

Education Satisfaction***

Poor: 1%

Fair: 7%

Good: 39%

Excellent: 53%

Top 3 Occupations

Actor

Education, Training, and Library

Office and Administrative Support

Other Arts Majors (2%)
Gender

Male: 29%

Female: 70%

Transgender: 0.1%

Education Satisfaction***

Poor: 1%

Fair: 7%

Good: 40%

Excellent: 51%

Top 3 Occupations

Education, Training, and Library

Sales

Office and Administrative Support

Skills

Skills

Important Skills and Competencies in Profession or Work Life*

What is this? | Footnotes

What is this?

This chart represents a range of skills / competencies being reported as important. Rollover each bar or the legend below to view additional information.

Footnotes

* For participants in the 2011, 2012, and 2013 SNAAP survey. Only respondents from U.S. institutions are included in all SnaapShot numbers to ensure the confidentiality of non-U.S. institutional data.

* As selected by participants in the 2011, 2012, and 2013 SNAAP survey who reported they have ever worked.

* Important refers to those who responded "very important" or "somewhat important."

Note: Percentages will not sum to 100% as respondents could select more than one skill/competency.

These data do not represent all arts alumni, but rather the responses of graduates from those institutions that chose to participate in SNAAP in 2011, 2012, and 2013.

  • Artistic
    Artistic

    Artistic technique

    Current Artists: 95%

    Previous Artists: 74%

    Never Artists: 53%

    Overall: 80%

  • Critical Thinking
    Critical Thinking

    Critical thinking and analysis of arguments and information

    Current Artists: 96%

    Previous Artists: 96%

    Never Artists: 95%

    Overall: 96%

  • Creativity
    Creativity

    Creative thinking and problem solving

    Current Artists: 99%

    Previous Artists: 98%

    Never Artists: 97%

    Overall: 98%

  • Improving with Feedback
    Improving with Feedback

    Improved work based on feedback from others

    Current Artists: 96%

    Previous Artists: 96%

    Never Artists: 95%

    Overall: 96%

  • Teamwork
    Teamwork

    Interpersonal relations and working collaboratively

    Current Artists: 97%

    Previous Artists: 97%

    Never Artists: 96%

    Overall: 97%

  • Broad Knowledge
    Broad Knowledge

    Broad knowledge and education

    Current Artists: 97%

    Previous Artists: 97%

    Never Artists: 95%

    Overall: 96%

  • Leadership
    Leadership

    Leadership skills

    Current Artists: 94%

    Previous Artists: 94%

    Never Artists: 92%

    Overall: 93%

  • Project Management
    Project Management

    Project management skills

    Current Artists: 96%

    Previous Artists: 94%

    Never Artists: 93%

    Overall: 95%

  • Networking
    Networking

    Networking and relationship building

    Current Artists: 96%

    Previous Artists: 94%

    Never Artists: 91%

    Overall: 94%

  • Business
    Business

    Financial and business management skills

    Current Artists: 85%

    Previous Artists: 82%

    Never Artists: 72%

    Overall: 81%

  • Entrepreneurial
    Entrepreneurial Skills

    Entrepreneurial skills

    Current Artists: 79%

    Previous Artists: 70%

    Never Artists: 55%

    Overall: 71%

  • Research
    Research

    Using research skills

    Current Artists: 90%

    Previous Artists: 90%

    Never Artists: 87%

    Overall: 89%

  • Teaching
    Teaching

    Teaching skills

    Current Artists: 77%

    Previous Artists: 79%

    Never Artists: 75%

    Overall: 77%

  • Technology
    Technology

    Technological skills

    Current Artists: 95%

    Previous Artists: 93%

    Never Artists: 91%

    Overall: 93%

  • Writing
    Writing

    Clear writing

    Current Artists: 90%

    Previous Artists: 92%

    Never Artists: 92%

    Overall: 91%

  • Speaking
    Speaking

    Persuasive speaking

    Current Artists: 92%

    Previous Artists: 93%

    Never Artists: 91%

    Overall: 92%

Currently a professional artist
Never a professional artist All participants

Locations

Degrees

Current Work

Debt

Debt & Earnings

Individual Income and Debt of Participants* by Education Level

What is this? | Footnotes

What is this?

This chart compares income vs. debt for each education level. Rollover each degree to see additional information.

Footnotes

* For participants in the 2011, 2012, and 2013 SNAAP survey. Only respondents from U.S. institutions are included in all SnaapShot numbers to ensure the confidentiality of non-U.S. institutional data.

** Reported individual income from all occupations

*** Reported student loan debt to attend participating institution

Note: All degrees are based on the percent reporting having pursued at participating institutions

These data do not represent all arts alumni, but rather the responses of graduates from those institutions that chose to participate in SNAAP in 2011, 2012, and 2013.

  • Cert
    (CERTIFICATE)

    Median Individual Income**: $45,000

    Median Student Loan Debt***: $0

    Impact of debt on career decisions

    No Impact: 18%

    Some Impact: 15%

    Major Impact: 14%

    No Student Debt Loan: 52%

  • BA (Bachelor of Arts)

    Median Individual Income**: $45,000

    Median Student Loan Debt***: $5,000

    Impact of debt on career decisions

    No Impact: 18%

    Some Impact: 18%

    Major Impact: 16%

    No Student Debt Loan: 48%

  • BArch (Bachelor of Architecture)

    Median Individual Income**: $65,000

    Median Student Loan Debt***: $5,000

    Impact of debt on career decisions

    No Impact: 26%

    Some Impact: 16%

    Major Impact: 10%

    No Student Debt Loan: 48%

  • BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts)

    Median Individual Income**: $45,000

    Median Student Loan Debt***: $5,000

    Impact of debt on career decisions

    No Impact: 20%

    Some Impact: 21%

    Major Impact: 20%

    No Student Debt Loan: 40%

  • BM or B Mus
    (BACHELOR OF MUSIC)

    Median Individual Income**: $45,000

    Median Student Loan Debt***: $0

    Impact of debt on career decisions

    No Impact: 23%

    Some Impact: 16%

    Major Impact: 11%

    No Student Debt Loan: 50%

  • BS (BACHELOR OF SCIENCE)

    Median Individual Income**: $55,000

    Median Student Loan Debt***: $5000

    Impact of debt on career decisions

    No Impact: 23%

    Some Impact: 17%

    Major Impact: 12%

    No Student Debt Loan: 48%

  • Other UG (Other Undergraduate Degree)

    Median Individual Income**: $45,000

    Median Student Loan Debt***: $0

    Impact of debt on career decisions

    No Impact: 21%

    Some Impact: 17%

    Major Impact: 12%

    No Student Debt Loan: 51%

  • AD (Artist Diploma)

    Median Individual Income**: $35,000

    Median Student Loan Debt***: $0

    Impact of debt on career decisions

    No Impact: 16%

    Some Impact: 13%

    Major Impact: 13%

    No Student Debt Loan: 59%

  • MA (Master of Arts)

    Median Individual Income**: $45,000

    Median Student Loan Debt***: $5,000

    Impact of debt on career decisions

    No Impact: 18%

    Some Impact: 18%

    Major Impact: 18%

    No Student Debt Loan: 46%

  • MArch (Master of Architecture)

    Median Individual Income**: $55,000

    Median Student Loan Debt***: $15,000

    Impact of debt on career decisions

    No Impact: 23%

    Some Impact: 22%

    Major Impact: 20%

    No Student Debt Loan: 35%

  • MFA (Master of Fine Arts)

    Median Individual Income**: $45,000

    Median Student Loan Debt***: $15,000

    Impact of debt on career decisions

    No Impact: 18%

    Some Impact: 22%

    Major Impact: 25%

    No Student Debt Loan: 35%

  • MM or M Mus
    (Master of Music)

    Median Individual Income**: $45,000

    Median Student Loan Debt***: $0

    Impact of debt on career decisions

    No Impact: 20%

    Some Impact: 18%

    Major Impact: 13%

    No Student Debt Loan: 49%

  • DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts)

    Median Individual Income**: $55,000

    Median Student Loan Debt***: $0

    Impact of debt on career decisions

    No Impact: 21%

    Some Impact: 17%

    Major Impact: 13%

    No Student Debt Loan: 49%

  • PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)

    Median Individual Income**: $55,000

    Median Student Loan Debt***: $0

    Impact of debt on career decisions

    No Impact: 21%

    Some Impact: 15%

    Major Impact: 12%

    No Student Debt Loan: 52%

  • Other GR (Other Graduate Degree)

    Median Individual Income**: $55,000

    Median Student Loan Debt***: $5,000

    Impact of debt on career decisions

    No Impact: 20%

    Some Impact: 16%

    Major Impact: 17%

    No Student Debt Loan: 47%

Median Individual Income By Degree
Median Individual Student Loan Debt By Degree