Kinds of Art Careers

Once upon a time, a child who came home from school and announced he wanted to be an artist when he grew up might have elicited parental disapproval, for certainly no one wants to imagine their offspring living in a cheap garret and barely eeking out an existence. Today, however, the advent of technology and the tools available for marketing can enable art majors to pursue a wide range of career paths and, in some cases, write their own ticket to success.

While it's entirely possible for someone with extraordinary talent to make a living in art without a college degree, today's economics, consumer snootiness and the amount of competition will place a lot of emphasis on luck and having the right connections. In order to promote your work to the world at large, you're going to need to develop a solid business plan, take classes in marketing and be technologically savvy around computers. To stand out from the herd, you'll need to embrace a unique style of expression and--more often than not--you'll need to support yourself with a full-time or part-time job until you get discovered. Free resources such as Eric's Tips (see Resources below) can be invaluable in creating a niche for your art and attracting an audience.

One of the most lucrative fields for artists is in advertising campaigns. Whether the product being hawked is fashion, soda pop, kitchen appliances or upscale resorts in the Bahamas, it takes someone with a solid understanding of graphic design, photography, layout, perspective and demographics to come up with compelling imagery that is going to tweak curiosity and ignite sales. At a minimum, you'll need a BA in Art, Graphics, Photography, Marketing or Communications (along with a stellar portfolio of samples). The Bureau of Labor Statistics (see Resources) provides an overview of the working conditions, median salaries and projected growth of various careers in the arts.

The way movies are made has changed significantly with the advent of CGI (computer-generated imagery) and many artists are finding challenging jobs in the special effects departments of film studios. The demands of costume design (which requires a degree in Textiles and/or History), makeup artistry (especially in the horror genre), and designing backdrops, furniture and props can translate to long-term employment. In addition, there's a high need for artists who excel at animation, stop-motion photography and video game design.

Another lucrative field for artists is in the design of interior and exterior spaces for commercial and residential properties. This would encompass such activities as developing concepts for decorating, renovating, landscaping, and the preservation and restoration of historically significant structures. Most artists in these fields get their start as apprentices to interior designers, landscape planners, architects and contractors. Familiarity with 3D software and engineering principles is a must. If you decide to go into business for yourself, you will need to be licensed by the state in which you practice and take continuing education classes to keep your certifications current.

If you love art and can recognize talent when you see it, you may want to consider owning or managing a gallery. This path often begins by working as an assistant in an existing gallery, helping to host artists' events and seeking out new talent to bring into the fold. While you don't necessarily need a degree in art to work in a gallery, you'll need to have one if you expect patrons to take your seriously and rely on your judgment about which pieces are good investments. Expertise in PR campaigns is essential, and you'll need to have enough capital to cover insurance costs, gallery maintenance and paying a staff to work for you. Another avenue you may want to look into is to join the board of a non-profit organization that runs arts related programs and manages fundraising campaigns to make art accessible to the community and to local schools.

A master's degree or a doctorate is required if you plan to teach art in the classroom. Arts educators are either generalists who offer a broad overview of artists and different aesthetic periods or are specialists who have become experts about one particular style of expression. At the other end of the spectrum are working artists who offer hands-on workshops about their area of specialization but are not part of the regular faculty.

Ever wonder who designs all those book covers? As the publishing industry continues to downsize their in-house marketing and graphic design departments, this has created more opportunities for freelance artists and photographers to step up to the plate. Nor should you rule out the emergence of ebooks and CD downloads; even though the text is in an electronic medium, these nontraditional publishers still use original artwork as a sales tool for new releases. Even better, you'll also get a credit for the layouts that they use.

Websites have become the virtual resumes of individuals in all walks of life. Unfortunately, most entrepreneurs don't know how to design one that will stand out from the competition. Whether it's a restaurant, a spa, an author's book blog or a travel site, a great designer is an invaluable resource. In most cases, your customers won't care whether you have a degree or years of experience; what they want is someone who can best capture what they're all about in an informative, entertaining, organized and professional way. If you're venturing into this territory for the first time, it will be helpful to have samples of websites you have designed and that prospective customers will realize at a glance are fictitious (i.e., a divorce lawyer who lists Catherine of Aragon and Anne of Cleves as clients for whom he secured handsome settlements).