• A career in art can be financially and emotionally fulfilling.watercolour painting image by Pontus Edenberg from Fotolia.com
  
  When many people hear the term 'visual art career' they immediately conjure up the image of a starving artist creating his masterpieces in a dimly-lit garret, working under poor conditions with no significant financial reward, no insurance and no job security. This is not necessarily true. There are lucrative careers available for people who can combine their art expertise with other interests.
  
  

Math and Science Art Careers

• There are a number of careers available for people who have a strong interest in math or science and a love for art that will satisfy their interests in both areas. For example, medical and scientific illustrators create renderings of the human body or surgical procedures, as well as images of molecular structures, animals and plants. This career requires a four-year bachelor's degree. According to Life Works, the salary expectancy in 2008 ranged from $20,800 for the lowest 10 percent and $83,400 for the highest 10 percent, while the average salary was around $42,700.
  
  Individuals interested in pursuing art from a math angle may also be interested in architecture. Architects are responsible for designing buildings and structures that are not only visually appealing, but structurally safe, environmentally friendly, and functional. Architects must hold a professional or advanced degree. They must also complete an internship program and become licensed. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that architects earned approximately $70,320 in 2008.
  
  

Art History

• A person who is interested in history and has a flair for acquiring languages may want to pursue a career as an art historian. Charles Rosenberg shares a number of career options at the University of Notre Dame's Career Alternatives for Art Historians website. For example, art historians may be employed by universities, museums, art galleries or libraries. They must have at minimum a four-year degree, although a master's or doctoral degree is preferred for most positions. They must also be able to read, write and speak a second language, preferably Spanish, French or German. Many art history jobs require the ability to work well and collaborate with other people. Salaries vary depending upon the level of degree, job title and years of experience.
  
  

Computer-Based Art Careers

• There are many computer-based art careers available for technologically savvy and design-oriented individuals. For instance, multimedia artists and animators use computers and hand-drawn images to create special effects or animated characters. In 2008, multimedia artists and animators could expect a salary of approximately $56,000 per year. Many of these artists were self-employed, while others worked in the film and video gaming industries. Other computer careers are desktop publishing, graphic design and typesetting. These careers require a two-year associates degree or a four-year bachelor's degree. In 2008, desktop publishers earned $36,000.