Performing Arts and Digital Arts Degree Programs
Express your creativity and showcase your talents by earning a bachelor’s degree in the field of performing arts and digital arts from Grand Canyon University (GCU). The College of Arts and Media includes concentrations in theatre, dance, music, advertising design, digital design and digital film. GCU offers many types of performing arts and digital arts degrees that aim at preparing students for their future career, so they gain a rounded and collaborative experience.
Careers in arts and design, such as graphic designer, see a median annual wage of $49,600 as of May 2020.1 For those in post-secondary fine arts education careers, there is a median annual wage of approximately $69,690 as of 2020.2
Loading Form
GCU’s bachelor’s degrees within performing arts and digital arts give you the foundation needed to start your future career in performance and production. Explore different types of performing arts and digital arts degrees such as our Bachelor of Arts in Digital Design with an Emphasis in Web Design, Bachelor of Arts in Digital Film with an Emphasis in Production, Bachelor of Arts in Social Media or our Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Drama. Whatever your passion is, you can find what interests you within many different performing arts and digital arts concentrations.
Loading Degree Programs
GCU’s digital art and design program prepares students to examine the interplay of motion, sound, texture and color, while exploring creative opportunities of 3D modeling, typography, 2D animation and more! Digital art degree courses consist of foundational creative and skill development, motion graphics and portfolio development.
GCU’s digital art degree programs provide a brilliant combination of foundational creative skills and real-world design solutions to equip students with a strong portfolio. Graduates can apply these skills in a multitude of career avenues, which may include the following (but not limited to):
- Special effects artists and animation
- Graphic designers
- Film and video editors
- Advertising and promotions manager
- Postsecondary communications teacher
Certain types of performing arts degrees may be earned online with classes that focus on everything from readings and lectures that cover history and theory, to visual development and rendering techniques, to PhotoShop and web design. While GCU offers digital design degrees both online and in person, theatre and drama degrees at GCU are offered on campus.
The highest degree in performing arts is a doctoral degree, which is earned through hard work and commitment. It focuses on helping students become expertly skilled in their form of art and express their individual creativity. A PhD in performing arts can lead to careers such as actor, drama professor, producer, band manager and director.
GCU’s performing arts degree provides a strong foundation to pursue careers in performance and production. Graduates can apply these skills to a variety of career paths, which may include the following:
- Musicians and singers
- Art, drama, and music teachers (postsecondary)
- Actors
- Producers and directors
- Sports entertainers and performers
- Dancers and choreographers
- Fashion designers
- Costume attendants
- Photographers
- Camera operators for TV, video and film
If you like efficiency, flexibility, strategic planning, marketing and measurable results, a social media career may be an excellent fit for you. Social media platforms are always changing, which makes for a very exciting career. Due to this constant change of branding, online engagement and effective SEO strategies, marketing tactics need to change and evolve along with them. To launch your career in social media, start by enrolling in GCU’s social media digital arts degree and begin establishing your social media presence by:
- Getting creative with your media content
- Learning social media marketing fundamentals
- Staying flexible and aware of social media trends
- Building a social media portfolio
Grand Canyon University's online and evening programs offer the flexibility you need to get ahead, providing a quality education to help you thrive in today's complex world.
1 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Art and Design Occupations as of May 2020. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may also impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the BLS. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers from across the country with varying levels of education and experience and does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as art and design occupations. It does not reflect workers’ earnings in one city or region of the country. It also does not reflect a typical entry-level salary. The median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. You may also wish to compare median salaries if you are considering more than one career path.
2 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Postsecondary Art, Drama and Music Teachers as of May 2020. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may also impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the BLS. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers from across the country with varying levels of education and experience and does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as postsecondary art, drama and music teachers. It does not reflect workers’ earnings in one city or region of the country. It also does not reflect a typical entry-level salary. The median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. You may also wish to compare median salaries if you are considering more than one career path.