Associate of Arts in Fine Arts

Students gain historical and contemporary perspectives on the creation of art, the ability to analyze and understand the compositional structure, and hands-on skills working in a variety of media. Art majors find employment in a variety of fields, which include advertising, manufacturing, industrial design, public relations, and communications. Experienced artists frequently specialize in a particular product or field such as fashion, industrial art, advertising, or story illustration.

Career opportunities include advertising manager, antique dealer, architect, art administrator, art therapist, art critic, art dealer, art historian, cartoonist, ceramicist, commercial ceramicist, community artist, computer artist, computer graphics illustrator, computer publisher, design consultant, curator, display designer/manager, fashion/floral/interior designer, educator, gallery director, graphic artist, illustrator, jewelry designer, layout artist, muralist, museum technician, painter, photographer, police artist, printmaker, set designer, sculptor, and visual information specialist.

College of San Mateo is located in the northern corridor of Silicon Valley and situated on a beautiful 153-acre site in the San Mateo hills that provides a panoramic view of San Francisco Bay. Since 1922, CSM has been a gateway to higher education leading to university transfer, career preparation and advancement, and professional and personal development.

The College currently serves approximately 10,000 days, evening, and weekend students each fall and spring semester. CSM students reflect the diversity of the Bay Area and have a range of educational goals. To best serve our students, the curriculum offers a wealth of programs that include traditional, semester-length and short courses in addition to distance education.