Art careers come in all shapes and sizes. There are art industry jobs creating original works, selling and promoting them, and displaying them to the public in museums and galleries. There are jobs teaching others about art and jobs helping people to express themselves through art.
There are also lots of art related jobs outside the world of art. Artistic vision and design skills are needed in areas such as architecture, fashion, media, film and theatre. Here we're concentrating on visual art and design careers, but take a look at the rest of the arts and creative careers section if you’re interested in other areas such as writing, acting or music.
Jobs directly to do with art
Fine artist
Fine artists create original works of art. This can be in any medium, such as paint, wood, metal or textiles. What distinguishes the work of fine artists from most other careers on this list is that its purpose is purely to be a work of art, rather than to add visual appeal to something with a functional purpose (such as making a building, clothing item or webpage look good). Fine artists make money by selling their work, and many have another job too to give them a regular, reliable income. You don’t have to have qualifications in art to be an artist, but a degree in art is a typical starting point.
Read our artist job description to find out more.
Art gallery curator
Art gallery curators are in charge of the artworks that a gallery owns or has on loan. Large galleries often divide their collections up into groups, each with its own curator. Curators are involved in buying or borrowing artworks, deciding how to display them, writing explanatory materials for visitors, giving talks to students and the public, keeping records of the works, working with conservators to ensure that artworks stay in good condition, overseeing junior staff and potentially carrying out relevant academic research. You’ll usually need a relevant degree, such as art or art history.
Read our curator job description to find out more.
Art therapist
Art therapists work with people who are facing problems such as mental health, addiction, behaviour or communication issues, or who are recovering from illness or brain injury. Therapists encourage them to use art as a way to explore and understand their feelings, and find a way to move forwards with their lives. It’s about using an activity that people may find easier than talking about their experiences, rather than training them as artists. Art therapists work in places such as schools, hospitals, prisons and rehab units, and may develop specialisms such as working with children or people with autism. To train as an art therapist you’ll usually need a degree in art and design, or to start out in a career such as psychology, nursing or social work.
Read our art therapist job description to find out more.
Art teacher
You can teach art at secondary school or a further education college. Alternatively, if you become a primary school teacher you can teach art some of the time, but you’ll need to teach other subjects too. A typical entry route is to do an art degree followed by a teaching qualification. Alternatively, you could become a primary school teacher by taking a degree in education – there are some courses that will let you specialise in art teaching.
Use the TARGETcareers teaching section to find out more about careers in teaching and how to get into them.
Art lecturer, design lecturer or art history lecturer at a university
University lecturers plan and deliver degree courses to students. They also carry out their own research or practical projects, which could be anything from studying the work of a particular artist to looking at ways that art can help improve social or health issues. For practical art and design courses, lecturers have often already worked in the industry and may continue to produce their own work while they teach. Alternatively you could lecture in art history, teaching students about important art movements of the past. Again, studying art, design or art history at university is a typical first step.
Read more about careers as a lecturer on our graduate careers site TARGETjobs.
Art technician/demonstrator at a university
Art technicians, aka art demonstrators, also work in colleges or universities and help teach students. Their work is very practical – they set up the technical equipment needed in an art studio and then help students to use it, for example guiding them through InDesign, using a 3D printer, screenprinting or traditional photographic processing in a darkroom. You’ll typically need a relevant qualification – often a degree, but you may be accepted with a lower level qualification if you have lots of experience.
Art valuer/auctioneer
Art valuers assess how much an artwork or antique is worth and therefore how much it should be sold or insured for. They can work for auction houses, insurance companies or art dealers, and can specialise in areas such as paintings, jewellery or furniture. The job is often combined with that of auctioneer, in which case you’ll run auctions too. A relevant degree such as art history is a typical first step, though you may be able to get a job as an assistant or porter at an auction house without one and work your way up.
Read our auctioneer job description to find out more.
Illustrator
Illustrators use their painting or drawing skills to create images for products such as books, greetings cards, clothing, posters and animations. They can work with traditional materials to create physical images, or use relevant software packages. Specialist areas include scientific and medical illustration, for example for use in textbooks. Most illustrators are self-employed but there are some permanent jobs available. Your skill as an illustrator is more important than your qualifications, but you’ll probably find that a relevant course will increase your skills. Degrees or HNDs in subjects such as art or illustration are relevant, and there are specialist postgraduate courses if you wish.
Learn about design degrees, including illustration, then read our illustrator job description to find out more.
Conservator
Conservators take care of works of art, historical objects or historical properties. They ensure that these are kept in appropriate conditions to prevent deterioration, and help restore them to their original condition if they do deteriorate. Typically conservators work on a series of short-term contracts for different employers. To become a conservator you can do a degree in conservation as an undergraduate or a postgraduate. Some postgraduate courses only accept a limited range of undergraduate degree subjects; these vary but can include chemistry, physics, art, art history and archaeology.
Arts admin and fundraising
A range of people working in different jobs are needed to keep large art galleries and museums running smoothly – for example fundraisers, marketing and PR staff, managers, admin assistants and education team members to work with school students or the public. In a smaller venue, there might be just one or two staff members responsible for everything from managing the budget to dealing with enquiries from visitors. Some entry-level jobs don’t require a degree – office admin experience and volunteering in a museum or gallery will help. For others a degree is required or helpful – subjects related to art or business are relevant but not always essential. Alternatively, you could start a career in business outside the art world and then apply once you have experience.
Read our arts administrator job description to find out more.
Artistic jobs in other industries
Architecture careers
Architects design buildings while landscape architects design outdoor environments, such as parks or urban spaces. Follow the links to read more about them about how to start your career.
Art and design jobs in fashion
Fashion designers can design clothes or work in specialisms such as jewellery, shoe design, bags or accessories. Textile designers design fabrics, while fashion stylists use their knowledge of emerging trends to dress models for fashion shoots or help individuals to update their wardrobes. There are some apprenticeships available, though university is the typical path, particularly for would-be designers. Find out more about fashion degrees and the careers they can lead to and how to succeed at fashion degree interviews.
Jobs to do with art in media, film and theatre
There are lots of jobs in the media, film and theatre that will put your design skills or eye for beauty to good use. You could work in publishing or advertising as a web designer, graphic designer or photographer. Art-related jobs in TV, film or theatre include set designer, costume designer, make-up artist, lighting technician and lighting designer/director. In TV and film there are also roles such as camera operator, cinematographer and film/video editor.
- Find out about design degrees, including what they involve, how to get onto them and the types of careers they can lead to.
- Learn about art and visual careers in film, including art department roles, costume, cinematography, camera work, lighting and visual effects
- Explore theatre set design careers and how to get into them
- Use our article on technical theatre careers to find out about working as a theatre lighting designer or lighting technician and how to become one
- Read up on media career options, whether a media career would suit you and the best degree subjects for careers in media production, design and photography.
- Use our graduate careers site TARGETjobs to read in more detail about careers as a set designer for theatre, TV and film, camera operator, graphic designer, web designer, or photographer.
FAQs
What type of career best fits an artistic person? ›
- Art Director.
- Graphic Designer.
- Artist's Agent/Business Manager.
- Art Professor.
- Commercial Artist.
- Interior Designer.
- Freelance Writer.
- Animator.
Interests | Values | Talents & Abilities |
---|---|---|
Working with others | Truth, honesty | Communication skills |
Influential roles | Beauty | Work well under pressure |
Art, music, drama | Self-expression | Artistic ability |
Language, literature | Objectivity | Good at improvising |
What is an art career? An art career often refers to a job that involves being creative or producing works of art, often using a specific medium. This can include professionals who produce their own art, like painters and sculptors, as well as jobs that entail working with art or evaluating its value.
How do I make a career in art? ›- There is a Long Way Ahead of You. ...
- There is no Right or Wrong Way to Start an Art Career. ...
- Make the Best of New Technologies to Promote Your Art Business. ...
- Invest Time in Learning About the Art Business. ...
- Commitment and Persistence are Essential Preconditions for Success.
An artistic personality type uses their hands and mind to create new things. They appreciate beauty, unstructured activities and variety. They enjoy interesting and unusual people, sights, textures and sounds. These individuals prefer to work in unstructured situations and use their creativity and imagination.
What is a unique job? ›Unique jobs are typically those that require special skills, include odd or unusual responsibilities or have different work environments when compared to the average office job. Unique jobs can be found in a variety of industries and they offer an alternative to professionals who want to deviate from the norm.
What art career makes the most money? ›Students who have completed their Graduation in Fine art can apply in a wide range of industries like insurance, banking, public relations, media, etc. So they would have a pretty good scope to grow their career in fine arts. A career in fine arts is quite enriching and earns loads of money and respect for individuals.
Why is art so important? ›Art can communicate information, shape our everyday lives, make a social statement and be enjoyed for aesthetic beauty.
Why do you want to be an artist? ›Being an artist allows you to share your art with the world. – You can make a difference in the world by sharing your art and your perspective. Art can inspire change, make people feel certain ways, and it can also beautify our world.
Is skill important in art? ›
Skill Is the Thing That Allows You to Touch People's Hearts. For some people, making art is a personal thing. They do it for their enjoyment, caring little about taking it to a wider audience. However, the artists who want their art to speak to a broader audience must embrace skills training.
What is an example of art? ›The term art encompasses diverse media such as painting, sculpture, printmaking, drawing, decorative arts, photography, and installation.
How can I get art skills? ›- Practice sketching and drawing.
- Learn how to mix colors.
- Learn color theory.
- Practice painting different shades of colors.
- Practice painting different lines.
- Studie how light reacts to subjects.
HOW TO STUDY ART THE RIGHT WAY (avoid wasting time) - YouTube
What is a professional artist? ›An artist who: has specialized training in the artistic field (not necessarily in academic institutions) is recognized as a professional by his or her peers (artists working in the same artistic tradition) is committed to devoting more time to artistic activity, if possible financially.
Who is a fine artist? ›A fine artist is someone who creates fine art pieces. Fine art usually includes one-of-a-kind pieces or limited editions. Types of mediums include painting, drawing, sculpture, and photography.
Is being an artist a job? ›There are many different jobs in the field of art, but each job comes with its own duties and description. Depending on your interests, you may be suited for a career as an illustrator, graphic designer, sculptor, or multimedia artist.
What makes a good artist? ›A good artist must first have found their art form, which is the form of art they enjoy. A good artist is an all-around creative mind with the ability to create something amazing from nothing. Their ingenuity makes their work resonate with those around them and this has helped fuel the creative genius in them.
What are the kind of artist? ›- Portrait artist.
- Landscape artist.
- Still life artist.
- Urban artist.
- History artist.
- Figure artist.
A true artist constantly educates his or herself and is aware of the changes happening in an area of work. He or she always walks on the path of self-development and keeps up with the changing times. True artists are learners for life; they believe in growth and are always focused on improving their craft.
How do I know if I am an artist? ›
- 1 You liked making things as a child. Adults do things they don't have to do for a variety of (sometimes quite complex) reasons. ...
- 2 You're a visual learner. ...
- 3 You're naturally introspective. ...
- 4 You like looking at other art. ...
- 5 You keep coming back to it. ...
- 6 You're passionate. ...
- 7 You want to be an artist.
These different types of art are painting, sculpture, architecture, literature, music, cinema, and theater.
What is a good dream job? ›- Writer/author/critic. If you're a skilled wordsmith, just think of all the pleasurable ways you could earn a paycheck. ...
- Actor/model/musician. ...
- Pro athlete. ...
- Entrepreneur/inventor/CEO. ...
- Sommelier/food taster. ...
- Doctor/lawyer. ...
- Police officer. ...
- Artist/illustrator.
Rank | Occupation | # of Jobs |
---|---|---|
1 | Dentist | 27,600 |
2 | Registered Nurse | 712,900 |
3 | Pharmacist | 69,740 |
4 | Computer Systems Analyst | 120,440 |
- Fine Arts. A fine arts degree gives you an education in the visual arts. ...
- Graphic Design. ...
- Business. ...
- Digital Arts. ...
- Game and Interactive Media Design. ...
- Cinematography and Film/Video Production. ...
- Theater Arts. ...
- Fashion Design.
- Apply to sell via art sites. ...
- Network with art buyers. ...
- Approach commercial galleries. ...
- Create a strong portfolio website. ...
- Enter art awards and competitions. ...
- Sell images of your art to stock websites. ...
- Apply to sell at art fairs. ...
- Promote and sell your artwork on social media.
What Will You Learn as an Art Major? You'll learn the materials and methods of historic and contemporary processes: painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, video, ceramics, installation, photography, and how these disciplines work together in contemporary art.
Which subjects are in arts? ›What are the subjects in Arts Stream? The major subjects in Arts Stream include Economics, History, Political Science, Geography, Sociology, Philosophy, Psychology, Computer Science, Hindi, Regional language, etc. From Law and Literary Studies to Journalism and Hotel Management, careers after Arts stream are copious.
What are arts courses? ›- Bachelor Of Arts (BA) ...
- Bachelor Of Business Administration (BBA) ...
- Bachelor Of Fine Arts (BFA) ...
- Bachelor Of Journalism (BJ) ...
- Bachelor Of Arts & Bachelor Of Law (B.A. L.L.B.) ...
- Diploma In Education (DEd) ...
- Bachelor Of Mass Media (BMM) ...
- BA In Animation.
The median salary for arts and design careers is $48,130. Creative occupations can be found in fields like visual arts, design, media, and communication. Potential careers include becoming a writer, sculptor, graphic designer, and interior designer.
How does art give meaning to life? ›
Art gives us meaning and helps us understand our world. Scientific studies have proven that art appreciation improves our quality of life and makes us feel good. When we create art, we elevate our mood, we improve our ability to problem solve, and open our minds to new ideas.
What is art in your own words? ›Art is a creative activity that expresses imaginative or technical skill. It produces a product, an object. Art is a diverse range of human activities in creating visual, performing subjects, and expressing the author's imaginative mind. The product of art is called a work of art, for others to experience.
What is the full meaning of art? ›July 2022) Art is a diverse range of human activity, and resulting product, that involves creative or imaginative talent expressive of technical proficiency, beauty, emotional power, or conceptual ideas.
What does your art mean to you? ›Art evokes emotions, whether they are happy or sad, disturbing or exciting. Art makes you feel, and art makes you think. Pieces of art can make you question not only the artist's interpretation or message, but also your own feelings.
What is art in your own opinion? ›Art is an expression of our thoughts, emotions, intuitions, and desires, but it is even more personal than that: it's about sharing the way we experience the world, which for many is an extension of personality. It is the communication of intimate concepts that cannot be faithfully portrayed by words alone.
Is art a talent? ›Art is both a talent and also something that you can learn.
There are people who can do art very well without going to school, and that's what we can say it is a talent and on the other hand there are schools that teach art in which you can develop great skills by learning.
Learning through and about the arts enriches the experience of studying while at school as well as preparing students for life after school. Arts subjects encourage self-expression and creativity and can build confidence as well as a sense of individual identity.
Does an artist need talent? ›Even if you believe you have no talent, anyone can learn to be an artist with the right training, tools, and passion. While becoming an artist will likely take more work than for someone who has a natural talent as an artist, art is like any skill that can be learned and improved upon.
What are the 10 forms of art? ›For the technical and theoretical aspects of several arts, see architecture, calligraphy, dance, drawing, literature, motion picture, music, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and theatre.
What are the 3 types of art? ›There are countless forms of art. When it comes to visual arts, there are generally 3 types: decorative, commercial, and fine art. The broader definition of “the arts” covers everything from painting through theatre, music, architecture, and more.
What skills do artists have? ›
- artistic talent.
- determination and commitment.
- self-belief.
- the ability to come up with and develop good ideas.
- good visual communication skills.
- business and self-promotion skills.
- technical ability.
- good organisational skills and the ability to meet deadlines.
- Take classes. Consider taking classes that focus on art topics that interest you the most, such as sculpting or digital art. ...
- Develop your own style. One way an artist can differentiate themselves from others in their field is to develop their own style. ...
- Practice. ...
- Ask for advice.
In short, it is not easy being a successful fine artist (someone who makes a living by creating original, one-off pieces of art) -- but many people do succeed in supporting themselves through a combination of hard work, perseverance, and using their artistic talents and knowledge in a variety of ways to supplement ...
Is an art degree worth it? ›The median salary for arts and design careers is $48,130. Creative occupations can be found in fields like visual arts, design, media, and communication. Potential careers include becoming a writer, sculptor, graphic designer, and interior designer.
How do I get a job in art without a degree? ›How can I get an artist job without a degree? You can get an artist job without a college education by studying for certifications, taking online courses or bootcamps, and building a portfolio of your work to present when applying for jobs.
What is a unique job? ›Unique jobs are typically those that require special skills, include odd or unusual responsibilities or have different work environments when compared to the average office job. Unique jobs can be found in a variety of industries and they offer an alternative to professionals who want to deviate from the norm.
Which arts degree is the best? ›- Fine Arts. A fine arts degree gives you an education in the visual arts. ...
- Graphic Design. ...
- Business. ...
- Digital Arts. ...
- Game and Interactive Media Design. ...
- Cinematography and Film/Video Production. ...
- Theater Arts. ...
- Fashion Design.
A fine artist is someone who creates fine art pieces. Fine art usually includes one-of-a-kind pieces or limited editions. Types of mediums include painting, drawing, sculpture, and photography.
Why I want to be an artist? ›Being an artist allows you to share your art with the world. – You can make a difference in the world by sharing your art and your perspective. Art can inspire change, make people feel certain ways, and it can also beautify our world. 3.
Do art students get jobs? ›
Recent research shows that 80% of art graduates obtain employment that is either closely or somewhat related to their education.
Why are art careers important? ›You can be creative
One of the greatest benefits of working in art and photography is the opportunity to use your creativity on a daily basis. It's an important part of the work and makes the career field rewarding day after day. You are constantly exploring new and innovative ways to express yourself artistically.
Having gained knowledge in subjects like English, Political Science, Geography, History and Economics, a plethora of opportunities await Arts students. Law, Journalism, Fashion Design, Hotel Management are some of the top courses after 12th Arts that students can opt for depending on their interests.
What to study to become an artist? ›Eligibility to become Artist (Fine Arts & Commercial Arts)
Candidates must have a Bachelor's degree/diploma in Art with specialization in the area of interest. Art schools also conduct entrance tests for school leavers for the degree courses called Bachelor of Fine arts (BFA).
A BA (Bachelor of Arts) or a BS (Bachelor of Science) degree are both four-year university degrees that share general education requirements. In the U.S., these common courses are standardized and may include: English and writing, mathematics, natural science, and social science and history.
How do I get a job in fine arts? ›Those who complete their Graduation or Diploma course in fine arts can apply as artists or photographers in any company, creative director, animator, art director, production artist, etc. Freelancing could be one of the best options to start your career as a fine artist.
Do you need to study art to be an artist? ›The answer is no. Many illustrators and designers can start their careers without having done higher education in art. Art and design is an artistic activity that you can teach yourself from a young age. Thus, a lot of artists gradually teach themselves how to do it without a degree or qualification.
Why do some artists become famous? ›Study Finds Artists Become Famous through Their Friends, Not the Originality of Their Work. In a 2012 exhibition about the birth of abstraction at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, curators highlighted the way that the artists may have influenced one another.