Arts Career Guide: Roles, Salary 2026 & Future Scope

Pallavi Priyadarshini PandaContent Writer
A career in Arts is very vast which includes a variety of career opportunities such as an Actor, Art Director, Illustrator, Graphic Designer, and many more. As it is rightly said that art is the subjective depiction of objective thoughts, Art is a subject of wonders revolving around creative thoughts and strata. It inculcates within it the study of various opinions and perspectives through visual interpretations, illustrations, sculptures, drawings, and pictorial literature.
The Starting Salary of a Graduate with a degree in Arts which includes Fine Arts, Visual Arts, and Performing Arts is INR 1 LPA to 9.1 LPA. After gaining experience the graduates have the potential to earn INR 4 LPA to INR 20+ LPA in this field.
There are various companies that provide job opportunities to an Arts Graduate. Some of the famous companies are Disney India, Zee Media, Times of India, Reliance Mediaworks, Balaji Telefilms etc.
Arts Career: Quick Facts
- 85% of people having a degree in Arts engage themselves in interesting work fields and projects like Graphic designing, Drama and Theatre Arts, Cinematography, and Film Video and Photographic Arts.
- According to one of the studies conducted, it can be concluded that 66% of the workers from different sectors have a degree in Fine Arts.
- According to a study, A fifth (20%) of performing arts graduates are working as actors, entertainers, presenters (9%), arts officers, producers, and directors (4%).
Top Career Profiles in Arts Career
Owing to the importance and respect that is given to Arts in different cultures and the modern world, careers in Arts whether it is Fine Arts, Visual Arts, or Performing Arts can be traced as being favorable and assuring in nature. In terms of career prospects, Arts is one of those subjects that provides an individual with an opportunity to be exposed to a wide range of sources of income. For example, an artist can create a portfolio while simultaneously they can indulge themselves in the academic sector.
Below are a few top career opportunities if one chooses to opt for an Arts Career:
|
Job Roles |
Average Salary |
|---|---|
|
Animator/ VFX artist |
INR 1.5 - 5 LPA |
|
Art Teacher |
INR 1 - 6 LPA |
| Art Director | INR 4 - 20 LPA |
| Actor | INR 1 - 20 LPA |
| Screenwriter | INR 1 - 8.1 LPA |
| Graphic Designer | INR 1.1 - 7.1 LPA |
|
Illustrator |
INR 1.6 - 10 LPA |
|
Musician |
INR 1 - 8 LPA |
| Painter | INR 1 - 5.5 LPA |
Note- The above salary has been taken from Ambitionbox.com.
Arts (Fine Arts, Visual Arts, Performing Arts) Scope in India: Jobs, Salary, and Further Education
Given below are the top industries that hire Arts graduates:
|
Sectors |
Description |
|---|---|
| Media and Publishing houses | With changing times, increased digital linguistics, and technological advancements the target audience expects something that lays creative foundations. These creative aspects can be constructed by individuals who have a degree in Visual Arts. Basically, in the media and publishing houses, the designers are expected to cultivate creativity within the technological frameworks. For example, the visual and pictorial representations in newspapers and magazines are the ones designed by graphic designers. Under this sector, individuals can work as Art Director, Art Curator, Graphic Designer, Illustrator, etc. |
| Academia | “Imparting one’s own skill is a deed like no other” Considering this, if an individual with a degree in Performing Arts or Visual Arts wishes to push forward the legacy of their subject, they can move ahead with it by landing in the Academic sector. They can influence students to take up Fine Arts as their career and teach them about different concepts and topics under Visual Arts as a subject. |
| Government Agencies | Fine Arts as a subject is equally important in the Government Sector as individuals with this degree are hired in these agencies to illustrate and design government institutions. Many Architects and Interior designers are required in Government firms to create an aesthetically pleasing landscape and architect. |
| Healthcare Sector | Studies suggest that the inclusion of Fine Arts in the healthcare sector has proved to be a boon. It has been observed that patients acquiring Art Therapy from Art Therapists tend to recover and heal faster when compared with the ones who do not. |
| Design Manufacturing Companies | Under this sector, the individuals or designers, to be specific are expected to create pictorial layouts or three-dimensional setups which are to be realistically created through appropriate implementations. |
| Textile Industry | Visual Arts is incomplete without the Textile Industry. Fashion Designers in this sector are responsible for experimenting with their innovative insights to curate beautiful masterpieces using textiles. |
| Advertising Companies | Advertising companies search for Artists, Graphic designers, Digital developers, Illustrators, etc. to invent and fabricate pleasing ads that can attract the target audience’s attention. The major goal of an individual as a creator in this sector becomes to persuade and influence the individuals that are consuming their piece of Art. |
Note: The information is taken from external sites and may vary.
Courses after a Degree in Arts
Here are some popular courses with descriptions:
- Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
- Master of Visual Arts (MVA)
- Master of Performing Arts (MPA)
- MA Visual Communication
- Master of Arts (MA)
Top recruiters for Arts Degree
The below-mentioned list consists of top recruiters that provide opportunities to the individuals having a degree in Fine Arts. These companies are considered to be giants at both National and International levels excelling in various fields and departments of Media and Publishing houses, Academia, Government agencies, Healthcare, Design Manufacturing, Textile Industries, and Advertising companies.
| Top Recruiting Companies for Arts Graduates | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cognizant | AAPC | Robosoft Technologies |
| Microsoft Corporations | HT Media | Balaji Telefilms Limited |
| Reliance Mediaworks | Saregama India Limited | Red Chillies |
| Eros International | Nritya Shakti | Universal Arts |
| Green Gold Entertainment | Disney India | Kalki Fashion |
| Zee Media | Infosys | |
| Amazon | Symphony | TOI |
Students were also interested in topics related to Art Career:
Types of Visual Arts: Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Photography, Sculpture
Career in Dance: How dance has evolved over the years
Best Arts Colleges for Placements
In today’s time when equal and parallel importance is given to creative intelligence as of the normal IQ, imaginative and innovative subjects like Arts become important and play a significant role. It is important to choose a good college because taking a subject like Fine Arts, Visual Arts, and Performing Arts are promising yet risky, so one should be sure of the college in terms of placements and CTC offerings.
Below mentioned table specifies a few best Colleges offering a degree in Arts.
|
Arts Colleges |
Average Salary |
|---|---|
| G.V.M.Girls College | INR 20.6 LPA |
| University of Mumbai (MU) | INR 6 - 18 LPA |
| Delhi University (DU) | INR 16 LPA |
| Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Solapur University | INR 14.86 LPA |
| Dibrugarh University | INR 3.6 - 14.55 LPA |
| The True School of Music, Vijaybhoomi University | INR 13.3 LPA |
| Sri Aurobindo College | INR 12 LPA |
| Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design And Technology | INR 7 - 11.75 LPA |
| Manipal Academy of Higher Education | INR 6.8 - 11.68 LPA |
| Jawaharlal Nehru University | INR 9.5 LPA |
| Jamia Millia Islamia | INR 7.5 - 9.25 LPA |
| Banaras Hindu University | INR 8 - 9 LPA |
Information source: Official/counseling body and may vary.
- Popular Arts ( Fine / Visual / Performing ) Colleges in India
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- Bachelor of Arts (Music-Western Classical, Creative Media)Christ University
- B.E. in Printing Engineering (Day)Jadavpur University
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Yes, Kirloskar Institute of Management Harihar has sports facilities such as a swimming pool, football grounds, basketball court, volleyball court, a gymnasium, etc. these facilities have been provided to students with no extra charges for the extra curricular growth as well as physical and mental h
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LPU gives very good scope in sports placements because the university treats sports as a serious career, not just an extra activity. Students from programmes like B.P.Ed, M.P.Ed and BPES get exposure to coaching, fitness training, sports management and sports Science through practical training, inte
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Lovely Professional University (LPU) offers sports-related academic specializations mainly through its physical education and sports Science programs like B.P.Ed., BPES, B.Sc. Health & Physical Education and M.P.Ed. Students can focus on team sports (e.g., basketball, cricket, football, handball
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No, there is no mention of any scholarships schemes for MBA students of Amity Bangalore that are offered for sports achievements. The institute only lists merit-based scholarships for the MBA students which are decided on the basis of the CAT/MAT percentile or the scores in the GMAT or GRE.
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Yes, the Ramaiah Institute of Technology campus features facilities for many sports including a Badminton Court, Basketball Court, Tennis Court, Cricket field, Football grounds, Table Tennis Room, etc. These facilities are given with no extra charges to allow students room for extra-curricular growt
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Bangalore's GIBS Business School campus is designed to create a balance between academics and student life, recreation, and residential comfort. The apparent size of the constructed campus area of 2-10 acres consists primarily of academic buildings, student lecture theatres, laboratories, libraries,
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School of Indian Legal Thought, Mahatma Gandhi University features range of sporting facilities for both indoor and outdoor sports with the space and grounds to host them including: basketball, tennis, volleyball, basketball, football, hockey, etc. These facilities have been given to improve and mai
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Candidates must complete Class 12 or three-year course after Class 10 or equivalent to apply for BVA at Anant National University. Aspirants must pass from state boards, IB, Cambridge and other government-recognised boards.
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Yes, there are sports scholarship. Students must fulfil minimum academic eligibility and participation requirement. They have to participate in their choice of sports for at least 3 years in local, state and national level competitions. Submit documents including certificates or letters from coaches
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Top Film & Cinema Schools in Delhi NCR
AAFT – One of the most established film & media schools in the region offering UG/PG degrees, diplomas, and short‑term cinema courses covering directing, cinematography, editing, screenwriting, acting, and production. AAFT has a long track record in creative
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Green & Open Campus Environment
Clean, green surroundings: The campus is described as pollution-free and student-friendly, with greenery helping create a calm atmosphere conducive to study and relaxation.
Outdoor social spaces: Areas like the amphitheatre and speaker corners/rose garden give studen
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Yes Uni of Hertfordshire is mindful of its sports enthusiasts and students can join with memberships starting from only GBP 16. Students can join club sports like American Football, Badminton, Basketball, Canoe & Kayak, Cricket, Futsal, Golf, Kickboxing, Lacrosse, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo e
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Yes — AAFT's music degree does include practical training in music production, mixing, and sound design, depending on which specific programme you choose in its School of Music.
Bachelor of Performing Arts (Specialization in Music)
This 4‑year music degree isn't just performance‑focused — it also
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Challenges for Non-Sports Background Students
Course Prerequisites
Some courses assume familiarity with anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, or sports psychology theory.
You may need to self-study or take bridge courses.
Competition
Sports psychology programs are competitive because seats are limited.
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The sports culture at IILM University Gurugram is vibrant, inclusive, and strongly encouraged as a core part of student life, not just an add-on to academics. The campus offers a wide range of outdoor options like cricket, football, and basketball, along with indoor activities such as table tennis,
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Yes, BFA course is available at The Indian College of Arts and Draftsmanship. The college offers BFA courses at the UG level. Candidate must meet the eligibility criteria to enrol for BFA course admission set by the college. Aspirants must pass Class 12 in any stream. The Indian College of Arts and
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There are many good Government colleges that you can choose from for pursuing MFA. You can check out the list below:
- Banaras Hindu University
- Rabindra Bharati University
- College of Arts, University of Delhi
- Jamia Millia Islamia
- UNIPUNE - Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU)
- CSJM - Chhatrapati Shahu Ji
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If you are someone into Design, then you can check out the list of MFA specializations that are available for you below -
- MFA in Graphic Design
- MFA in Textile Design
- MFA in Fashion Design
- MFA in Interior Design
- MFA in Leather Design
Hope this helps!
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