Art
Individuals working towards a degree in Art investigate the achievements of artists, architects and musicians as well work on pieces themselves. Students analyze, evaluate and create many forms of artistic expression such as paintings, sculpture, architecture, music and cinematography.
Related Skills
- Save artwork for a strong portfolio - too much is better than too little.
- Be prepared to relocate to the larger markets of metropolitan areas where more opportunities exist.
- Join art related professional and student organizations.
- Volunteer with fundraising efforts for the arts.
Gain valuable experience through volunteering, internships, part-time and summer jobs, and apprenticeships.
- Conduct informational interviews with professionals in areas of interest to learn more about opportunities and strategies for these areas.
- Learn to network.
- Strong work ethic and professional behavior
- Flexibility in thought and adaptive to new ideas
- Imagination and creative skills
- Basic computer skills, knowledge of computer software a plus
- Good writing skills
- Ability to verbally communicate principle skills and art appreciation
- Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure
Being Successful in the Field
- A career in the arts takes dedication, patience, flexibility, talent, and some luck.
- A bachelor’s degree is valuable for entry-level positions, but an advanced degree is usually necessary to attain competitive, upper-level positions.
- An art degree can and should be tailored to areas of specialization.
- Be prepared to begin career in entry-level positions.
- Pair an art degree with other career interests to increase opportunities and provide supplemental income.
- Develop skills in business management, computers, marketing, and other related areas to increase marketability.
Related Fields
Art Museums/Galleries
- Education
- Administration
- Curatorial
- Conservation
- Registrar
- Collections Management
- Sales
- Publications
- Development
- Public Relations
- Exhibit Design/Preparation
- Archivist
- Tour Guides/Docent
Employers
- Government or private museums
- Local historical societies
- Galleries
Strategies
- Intern or volunteer in an art museum. Develop strength in art history areas.
- Enhance computer skills.
- Earn a business minor.
- Acquire strong skills in research, fund-raising, speaking, and writing.
- Earn an advanced degree in an academic discipline or museum studies for greater career opportunities.
- Each specialty has varying qualifications and required training.
- Develop good interpersonal skills, including the ability to work well on teams.
Fine Arts
Employers
- Self-employed
- Shared studios
- Historic sites
- School/Community programs
Strategies
- Prepare a strong portfolio.
- Participate in juried shows.
- Secure guild membership.
Consider developing a source of supplemental income.
- Learn to network and make contacts.
- Develop strong skills in area of interest.
- Obtain experience through apprenticeships, internships, or volunteering.
Commercial Art
- Graphic Art
- Computer Graphics
- Illustration
- Advertising
Employers
- Newspapers
- Publishing houses
- Advertising agencies
- Design firms
- Large companies - product design divisions
- Department stores
- Television and motion picture industry
- Non-technical and technical books, magazines, and trade publications
- Internet media companies
- Self-employed (freelance)
Strategies
- Prepare a strong portfolio.
- Gain computer and technical skills.
- Find an internship in a design firm.
- Work on campus publications in design or layout.
- Obtain summer or part-time experience with book, magazine, or newspaper publishers.
- Develop attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.
- Supplement curriculum with course work in advertising or business.
Education
- Studio Art
- Fine Arts
- Art History
Employers
- Art schools
- Public and private schools (K-12)Colleges and universities
- Adult and community programs
- Libraries
- Museums
- Alternative schools
- Group homes
Strategies
- Obtain certification for public school teaching.
- Graduate degree usually required for post- secondary teaching.
- Develop a specialty area.
- Work or volunteer as a tutor, camp counselor, Big Brother/Sister, or after-school program counselor.
Become a member of art clubs.
- Obtain substitute-teaching experience.
- Develop strength in art history areas.
Art Therapy
Employers
- Hospitals, nursing homes
- Mental health facilities
- Rehabilitation centers
- Nonprofit organizations
Strategies
- Requires specialized training and certification, usually a master's degree in art therapy.
- Supplement curriculum with psychology, social work, or counseling courses.
- Gain experience working with diverse populations.
Media
- Sales
- Programming
- Design
- Video
- Production
- Editing
- Art Journalism
- Illustration
- Art Criticism
- Animation/Cartoons
Employers
- Corporate media departments
- Federal, state, and local government
- Nonprofit agencies
- Public relations and advertising firms
- Independent production companies
- Art-related publications
- Publishing houses
- Newspapers and magazines
Strategies
- Compile an up-to-date portfolio.
- Gain knowledge of a variety of technical equipment.
- Develop strong computer skills.
- Participate in student theatrical productions.
- Serve as audio-visual aide for campus films and lectures.
- Act as photographer for campus events.
- Work on student publications.
- Gain experience through internships in media or related areas.
- Supplement curriculum with courses in business, journalism, or broadcasting/electronic media.
Other Professions
- Advertising Artist
- Advertising Designer
- Aerial Photographer
- Airbrush Artist
- Animator
- Antiques Dealer
- Architectural Model Builder
- Architectural Renderer
- Art Administrator
- Art Agent
- Art Buyer
- Art Instructor
- Art Specialist
- Audio-Visual Specialist
- Book Designer
- Bookplate Artist
- CAD Designer
- Calligrapher
- Car and Bus Card Artist
- Caricaturist
- Cartoonist
- Catalog Illustrator
- CD/Record Cover Designer
- Ceramic Artist
- Children’s Book Illustrator
- Cinematographer
- Comic Strip Artist
- Consultant
- Corporate Designer
- Custom Decorator
- Desktop Publishing Artist
- Elementary Art Teacher
- Exhibit Designer
- Fashion Artist/Designer
- Filmmaker
- Flatware Designer
- Floral Designer
- Freelance Letter/Designer
- Furniture Designer
- Gallery Owner
- Gemologist
- Glass Blower
- Graphic Arts Technician
- Graphic Designer
- Graphic Designer Billboard Artist
- Greeting Card Artist
- Illustrator
- Interior Designer
- Magazine Designer
- Medical Illustrator
- Motion Picture Artist
- Motion Picture Animator
- Motion Picture Scenic Designer
- Municipal Graphic Designer
- Mural Artist
- Museum Artist
- Newspaper Artist
- Newspaper Illustrator
- Newspaper Layout Artist
- Package Designer
- Photographer
- Printing Crafts Worker
- Printing Store Manager/Owner
- Production Artist
- Production Coordinator\
- Production Manager
- Professor of Art/Art History
- Stylist
- Tattoo Artist
- Technical Illustrator
- Textile Designer
- TV Graphic Designer
- Visual Merchandise
