Art Careers

Art Museums/Galleries

• Government or private museums
• Local historical societies
• Galleries

• 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, fundraising, 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 Art

• Self-employed
• Shared studios
• Historic sites
• School/Community programs

• 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

• 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)

• 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

• Art schools
• Public and private schools (K-12)
• Colleges and universities
• Adult and community programs
• Libraries
• Museums
• Alternative schools
• Group homes

• 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

• Hospitals, nursing homes
• Mental health facilities
• Rehabilitation centers
• Nonprofit organizations

• 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 varied populations.

Media

• 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

• 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.

Photography

• Museums and historical societies
• Media organizations
• Photo agencies, studios, and auction houses
• Libraries
• Self-employment
• Large corporations
• Hospitals

• Apprentice with a free-lance photographer.
• Prepare a black and white and a color portfolio.
• Obtain a staff photographer position with the yearbook, campus newspaper, or magazine.
• Act as an audio-visual assistant or projectionist.

Fashion, Textile, Interior Design

• Pattern companies
• Apparel manufacturers/textile mills
• Interior design departments
• Commercial/residential design firms
• Self-employment

• Prepare a strong portfolio.
• Complete an internship in a production firm.
• Create and fit costumes for stage productions.
• Enter design ideas in magazine contests.
• Become a student member of professional organization(s).
• Research requirements for entering these fields. Some may require specialized training or additional degrees.

Art Sales

• Galleries/Museums
• Auction houses
• Specialty stores

• Gain sales experience.
• Obtain a business minor.
• Develop computer skills.
• Establish contacts by attending shows.
• Volunteer in museums, membership drives, and community outreach programs.
• Serve as a student assistant in a university gallery.
• Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Retail

• Gain sales experience.
• Enhance curriculum with business courses.
• Obtain summer, part-time, or internship positions in retail.
• Secure leadership in campus organizations.
• Serve as treasurer or financial officer of an organization.
• Obtain a sales position with the yearbook or campus newspaper.