The Arts, A/V Technology and Communications career cluster is about flexing your creativity, design, writing, performing, and multimedia skills. Prepare for careers from graphic design to broadcast journalism through a focus on advanced technologies used in venues including corporate boardrooms, hotels and convention centers, classrooms, and museums.
Technical writers, also called technical communicators, are responsible for helping others understand complex technical information or how to use technology products and their employment is expected to increase. Growth and changes in technology and electronics in the home and workplace will increase demand for technical writers. Photographers should see job prospects grow. Self-employed photographers will increase due to demands from individuals wishing to have portraits taken and corporations seeking photographs for marketing materials. Career prospects for producers and directors are expected to increase as a result of new content delivery methods – such as watching TV online or on a mobile device – and the popularity of reality television.
Art’s, Audio-Visual Technology & Communications Career Cluster PDF
Middle School Courses
High School Courses
- Graphic Communications I & II: 8660, #8661 (ACE)
- Radio Broadcasting & Journalism: I & II: #8640, #8641 (ACE)
- TV Media Production I&II Course No. #8688, #8689 (ACE)
- Game Design & Web Development I&II: #6680, #6681 (ACE)
- Advanced Drafting & Design: #8438
- Architectural Drawing/Design/CAD: #8437
- Communication Systems: #8415
- Digital Visualization: #8459
- Imaging Technology: #8455
- Creative Fashion (Intro to Fashion Careers): #8248
- Introduction to Interior Design: #8254
- Introduction to Photography: #8474
- Photography (Imaging Technology): #8455
- Introduction to Photography: #8474
- Video & Media Technology: #8497
Do You Like To…
- Communicate effectively with others?
- Organize, plan and multi-task?
- Pay attention to detail?
- Practice leadership skills?
- Use your math skills proficiently?
Sample Careers
- Graphic Designers
- Lighting Technicians
- Publicity Directors
- Cutters/Fitters/Seamstress
- Fine Artists
- Photographers
- Special Effects Coordinators
- Videographers
- Camera Operators
- Animators
- Sound Technicians
- Make-Up Artists
- Sign Painters
- Audio and Video Technology and Film
- Broadcasting and Journalism
- Performing Arts
- Printing Technology
- Telecommunications
High school certifications, licenses and related college majors:
| High School/Industry Certifications | Certificate/License | College Degree Examples |
| Introduction to Graphic Communications Examination (PrintED-co-brand) | Art, Art Education and Art History | |
| Audio-Radio Production | Cinematography and Film/Video Production | |
| CIW: Site Development Associate Exam | Creative Writing | |
| MTA: Software Development | Digital Communications and Media/Multimedia | |
| Photography | Graphic Design |
In Demand Careers
| Education Needed | Occupation | Median Salary | Job Growth Over next 10 years | Job Openings Projected over next 10 years |
| Associates Degree | Broadcast and Sound Engineering Technicians | $45,510 per year | 9% (Much faster than average) | 13,200 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or more | Technical Writers | $72,850 per year | 7% (Faster than average) | 4,300 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or more | Producers and Directors | $74,420 per year | 10% (Much faster than average) | 16,000 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or more | Multimedia Artists and Animators | $75,270 per year | 4% (As fast as average) | 2,800 |
| Bachelor’s Degree or more | Film and Video Editors and Camera Operators | $59,810 per year | 18% (Much faster than average) | 12,400 |
Student Leadership Organizations
The Technology Student Association (TSA) enhances personal development, leadership, and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), whereby members apply and integrate these concepts through intra-curricular activities, competitions, and related programs.
Work-Based Learning
Work-Based Learning (WBL) is comprised of experiences related to students’ career interests, based on instructional preparation, and undertaken in partnership with local businesses or organizations. WBL enables students to apply classroom instruction in a real-world work environment. Work-Based Learning promotes Career Awareness, Career Exploration, and Career Preparation.
Career Ambassadors
The Career Ambassador Program offers high school seniors an opportunity to represent and share their experiences with career exploration and our CTE programs to prospective students and community supporters through elementary school Career Fairs, middle school Career Clubs, and district-wide events.