Art colleges train artists in the formal tools and techniques for their chosen medium -- whether it is ceramics, painting, drawing, video, film, other visual arts or a combination of artistic techniques. Los Angeles area colleges offer some of the top art programs available in the U.S.

Individuals with an artistic talent can develop it through the study of art. While most agree that certain people are predisposed to artistic pursuits, individual talent develops by incorporating study techniques in the fine arts and learning about art history.

Art Colleges in Los Angeles

University of California, Los Angeles

• Affiliated with a number of Los Angeles-area museums, UCLA allows art students the chance to exhibit some of their work. Bachelor's and master's degrees are available. UCLA's College of Letters and Science also has a degree program for art history.

California State University, Los Angeles

• Cal State LA offers a four-year Bachelor of Art in Animation, Art Education, Art History, Design, Fashion and Textile and Studio Arts. The university also offers a master's in the areas, as well as a Master of Fine Arts in Design and Studio Arts.

University of Southern California

• USC's College of Letters, Arts and Sciences allows undergraduates to pursue a Bachelor of Art in Art History. Additionally, the university has a top-ranking department of cinematic arts, with undergraduate degrees available in animation/digital arts, cinema-television, interactive entertainment. They also offer a Bachelor of Fine Art in Writing for Screen and Television.

Occidental College

• Art students at Occidental College may focus study in studio art, film or video art.

California State University, Northridge

• Cal State Northridge's art department features concentrated art programs in animation, art history, art education, ceramics, drawing, graphic design, illustration, painting, photography, printmaking, public art, sculpture and video/digital art. The university also has graduate and fine art programs in many of these areas.

Career Outlook for Los Angeles Art Students

Artists can sometimes find it difficult to establish a career solely out of producing artwork. However, a number of art-related career options are available. In Los Angeles, the cinematic arts are especially popular due to the film and television industry. Trained artists can find work as art directors, animators or graphic designers. Many trained artists take up teaching as a way to share their skills with students and pursue their own art while working in a studio setting.