Virginia is home to more than 8 million people, making it the nation's 12th largest state and the population is growing. The population increased by nearly 66,000 between 2010 and 2014 and the state’s largest city—Virginia Beach, added nearly 12,000 new residents. Being one of top 15 largest states in the U.S., or any heavily populated area, has its perks. Convenience, endless entertainment options, top quality restaurants and shopping, festivals and other events are just a few. One of the biggest perks, though, is the arts and culture scene—and the state of Virginia certainly has an active one.
Virginia is home to 47,510 professionals working in Arts Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media (ADESM) occupations. The population of ADESM professionals has increased by nearly 3,000 since 2005, and salaries have kept up at a good pace as well. In 2005, Virginia-based ADESM professionals averaged $48,020 per year. In 2014, the average salary was $56,240 per year.
To keep up with the demand, many Virginia colleges and universities (another perk of living in a populous place) have added brand new art and design programs or they have expanded existing programs in the areas of art and design. The result is one of the most impressive collections of art and design schools in the nation. Of Virginia’s 129 Title IV degree-granting institutions, most offer art and design programs.
Just a few of the best schools for artists and designers in the state are Virginia Tech, George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia Intermont College, and Norfolk State University. Some of the state’s best schools for aspiring artists and designers also offer top-tier programs for aspiring animators. Continue reading to learn more about Virginia’s top picks for aspiring animators and what they have to offer.
Virginia Animation Schools
Blacksburg
School of Visual Arts (SOVA) at Virginia Tech - Degrees Offered: BFA Studio Arts with Concentrations in Animation, Creative Technologies, Digital Art, Drawing, BFA Visual Communication Design with Concentrations in 3D Animation, Creative Technologies, Graphic Design, Modeling; MFA Creative Technologies
Petersburg
Virginia State University, College of Humanities and Social Sciences - Degrees Offered: BFA Visual Arts with a Concentration in Animation or Graphic Design
Virginia Beach
Regent University, College of Arts & Sciences - Degrees Offered: BA Animation, BA Cinema-Television; Minors Art, Animation, Cinema-Television
More Virginia Animation related programs to consider:
- San Francisco & Online
- Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#14) - 2021
- Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#37) - 2021
- Top 50 Nationally for Illustration (#24) - 2021
- Top 50 Nationally for Graphic Design (#38) - 2021
- Winter Park, FL & Online
- Computer Animation - Bachelor's - Online & Campus
- Game Programs - Bachelor's & Master's - Online & Campus
- Graphic Design & Digital Arts - Bachelor's - Online & Campus
- Film & Digital Cinematography - Bachelor's & Master's - Online & Campus
- Mobile Development - Bachelor's - Online
- Simulation & Visualization - Bachelor's - Campus
- Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#11) - 2021
- Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#10) - 2021
- Top 25 in the South for Graphic Design (#10) - 2021
- Online
Employment and Salary Trends for Virginia Animators
Virginia is home to 410 are salaried multimedia artists and animators averaging $62,260 per year. In 2013, the state was home to 500 multimedia artists and animators. Although the population decreased slightly, salaries increased over 2013 when multimedia artists and animators in the state averaged $58,980. It is important to note that many animators and multimedia artists are self-employed. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), "Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers” has the second highest concentration of employment (not highest employment level) in the nation for animators and multimedia artists.
This means, it’s safe to assume that the population of animators and multimedia artists in Virginia is much higher. These individuals typically to earn more as well. According to the BLS, “Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers” is the fourth highest paying industry for animators and multimedia artists. As of 2015, the average salary for this group was $75,150.
The industries with the highest concentration of employment for animators and multimedia artists are:
- Motion Picture and Video industries
- Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers
- Software Publishers
- Specialized Design Services
- Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services
The industries with the highest levels of employment are:
- Motion Picture and Video industries
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services
- Software Publishers
- Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services
- Other Information Services
The top five highest paying states for animators and multimedia artists are:
- California ($82,170)
- Washington ($75,740)
- Massachusetts ($73,470)
- New York ($70,660)
- Idaho ($69,450)
The top paying industries for animators and multimedia artists are:
- Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers ($81,760)
- Other Information Services ($80,310)
- Software Publishers ($76,090)
- Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers ($75,150)
- Motion Picture and Video Industries ($73,950)
The states with the highest employment levels for animators and multimedia artists are California, New York, Washington, Texas, and Georgia. To increase your chances of finding employment, consider starting your search in major cities such as Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Arlington, Richmond, Newport News, Alexandria, and Hampton. With a population of nearly 100,000 and 96,000, respectively, Roanoke and Portsmouth are worth exploring as well.
Awesome Animation Fact: Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs premiered in Hollywood on December 21, 1937, earning a standing ovation from the star-studded crowd. When it was released to the public the on February 4, 1938 (Yes, that’s 78 years ago today), the film quickly grossed $8 million, a staggering sum during the Great Depression and the most made by any film up to that time. –The History Channel