Mississippi Art Schools

Guide to Mississippi Arts School Programs

Do you find yourself reading magazines and thinking about how you might have designed your own advertisements and layouts?  Do you watch television commercials and notice all the details, colors and props in the images?  Then you might be a perfect candidate to become an art director.  Students looking to pursue a career in this area may choose to pursue a two-year degree that focuses on design and layouts. Those who opt for a four-year degree will likely earn a bachelor’s in fine arts.  There are many quality options in Mississippi for obtaining the education you will need to secure a position as an art director.  Students in this southern state have the choice of both online and traditional programs.

Mississippi Arts Job Outlook and Salary

Art directors are generally salaried positions.  To reach this level of employment, several years of experience in the field are necessary. Many entrants into this area will start as an assistant art director.  In Mississippi, assistant art directors can expect to earn a starting annual salary of around $32,000.  Art directors in the state typically earn salaries that range from $56,000 to $141,000 per year.

The job outlook for art directors in Mississippi is higher than those in other occupations.  The growth rate is expected to be sixteen percent over the next five years. However, competition for these jobs is high as there tend to be more applicants than available positions. More opportunities will be found in Jackson than in other parts of the state. Some new graduates may opt to take an unpaid internship that could lead to a salaried position in a desirable firm. Art directors are typically employed by publishing companies, advertising agencies, or design firms.  Those working in this area will likely be expected to a normal workweek, with overtime hours to meet tight deadlines.

To become an art director, the employee must demonstrate not only a flair for great design, but also must display leadership skills.  The art director will often have to manage employees and other critical aspects of a project.  Therefore, many art directors will achieve advancement in their careers by taking additional courses in business programs with an emphasis on management.

Local Art Festivals & Events

Threefoot Arts Festival – April 3rd, 2010
2010 Art in the Pass – April 10th – 11th, 2010
Renaissance Fine Arts Festival – May 22nd – 23rd, 2010
Prairie Arts Festival – September 4th, 2010

Largest Cities in and Around Mississippi

Jackson, Gulfport, Biloxi, Hattiesburg, Greenville, Meridian, Tupelo, South Haven, Vicksburg, Pascagoula…

Mississippi State ZIP Codes

39201, 39501, 39530, 39401, 38701, 39301, 38801, 38671, 39180, 39563…