Higher Education and Careers
❦
Studying the Arts at University
In Sri Lanka, specialist arts education is available at the University of the Visual and Performing Arts in Colombo and the Swamy Vipulananda Institute of Aesthetic Studies of the Eastern University, which offers four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in Music, Dance, Drama and Theatre, and Visual and Technological Arts, with practical and theory components (Swamy Vipulananda Institute of Aesthetic Studies, n.d.). Other universities offer arts, music, dance, drama, and cultural studies within their arts faculties or departments; check each institution's current programmes. Internationally, students may attend art schools, conservatoires, and drama schools, as well as study the arts within a broader university degree.
Careers
| Field | Examples |
| Visual arts | Artist, illustrator, art teacher, curator, conservator, museum educator |
| Design | Graphic designer, product designer, interior designer, fashion designer, animator, game artist |
| Architecture and craft | Architect, landscape designer, craftsperson, heritage specialist |
| Music | Performer, composer, teacher, sound engineer, music therapist, producer |
| Dance | Performer, choreographer, teacher, dance therapist |
| Theatre and film | Actor, director, designer, stage manager, scriptwriter, film editor, producer |
| Literature and media | Writer, editor, journalist, translator, content creator |
| Arts administration | Festival manager, cultural officer, arts policy and funding |
| Education and community | School teacher, community arts worker, arts in health |
The Creative Economy
Many arts careers are freelance or project-based. Develop business skills: pricing, contracts, marketing, record-keeping, and networking. Build an online and offline presence, and keep documenting your work. Combine skills: for example, a musician who can also teach, record, and produce.
Pathways
| If you are at... | Next steps |
| Grades 6 to 9 | Try all four arts; join school groups, choirs, drama circles, art societies |
| Ordinary Level | Choose subjects you enjoy; build practical skills; attend performances and exhibitions |
| Advanced Level | Specialize; prepare for university auditions or portfolio assessments; seek mentors |
| University | Build a professional portfolio; take part in productions; do internships |
Teaching the Arts
Many graduates become teachers. Arts teachers are essential for passing on skills and for sustaining the heritage described in this book.
CHAPTER 15