Major
Careers
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
Contact
Career Advising
Renee Carrigan
(309) 438-5864
110 Student Services Building
Internship Coordinator
Nancy Fewkes
(309)438-5627
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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 andprovide 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 internshipin a design firm.
- Work on campus publications in design or layout.
- Obtain summeror part-time experience with book, magazine, or newspaper publishers.
- Develop attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.
- Supplement curriculum with coursework 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 requiredfor 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.
- Developstrength 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