Careers

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.
• 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