Recommended cameras for someone planning on going into visual arts?

I would go with the Canon EOS Rebel T*i series. More specifically the T3i, because it is the newest version, but it is a little bit out of your price range, by $80. My sister has the T1i and I use it a lot, it is easy to use, takes amazing pictures, focusing almost perfectly, and there are many different lenses that you can buy to further enhance your photography experience! Overall it is a really great camera and definitely worth the money.