Virginia's Visual Arts pathway develops expertise in drawing, painting, sculpture, digital art, and visual design—preparing students for careers as artists, designers, art educators, and creative professionals. This pathway emphasizes artistic technique, creative expression, and professional art practices.
Students study art history, drawing, painting, sculpture, digital art, graphic design, and exhibition practices. They create visual artworks, develop artist portfolios, and exhibit work through classroom projects and partnerships with galleries and arts organizations.
Graduates work as artists, graphic designers, art teachers, museum professionals, or creative specialists. Virginia's arts communities in Richmond, Virginia Beach, and throughout the state provide employment. Advanced students pursue fine arts and design at Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Virginia, and other institutions.
Visual Arts at a Glance
4
Courses
8
Credentials
4
Career Paths
State Standards & Framework
Virginia's visual arts standards address technical skill development, art history, creative expression, and professional art practices. Standards include both traditional and contemporary visual arts media.
Students demonstrate competency through art portfolios, technical skill assessments, and exhibition participation. The state partners with galleries and arts organizations.
Typical Course Sequence
| Course |
|---|
| Art Fundamentals and Drawing |
| Painting and Sculpture |
| Digital Art and Design |
| Art Portfolio and Exhibition |
Industry Certifications & Credentials
- ✓Unity Certified User - VR Developer
- ✓Adobe Certified Professional - Photoshop
- ✓Adobe Certified Professional - Illustrator
- ✓Adobe Certified Professional - InDesign
- ✓Adobe Certified Professional - Premiere Pro
- ✓Adobe Certified Professional - After Effects
- ✓Adobe Certified Professional - Visual Design Specialist
- ✓Adobe Certified Professional - Video Design Specialist
Career Opportunities
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Growth projections from BLS Employment Projections (2023-2033). Cost-of-living adjustment uses BEA Regional Price Parities (2023). Entry-level salaries reflect the 25th percentile; experienced salaries reflect the median.
Artist
Entry LevelSalary range: $35,340 - $91,360
Graphic Designer
Entry LevelSalary range: $49,830 - $93,040
Art Director
ExperiencedSalary range: $78,010 - $111,050
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Students intern at galleries, museums, design studios, and arts organizations throughout Virginia.
Career & Technical Student Organization
Students in this pathway can participate in National Art Education Association, gaining leadership experience and competing in career-related events.
How Sage Helps Virginia CTE Programs
AI-Powered Curriculum
Generate standards-aligned lesson plans in minutes, not months
Virginia Standards Built In
Pre-loaded with Virginia's CTE standards and frameworks
Teacher Customization
Teachers personalize content while maintaining standards alignment
Ongoing Updates
Curriculum stays current as Virginia standards and industry needs evolve
Ready to Build Visual Arts Programs at Scale?
See how Sage can help you create standards-aligned curriculum for Visual Arts in Virginia.