Art
What can I do with this major?
Art Museums/Galleries
Area
- Education
- Administration
- Curatorial
- Conservation
- Registrar
- Collections Management
- Sales
- Publications
- Development
- Public Relations
- Exhibit Design/Preparation
- Archivist
- Tour Guides/Docent
Employer
- Government or private museums
- Local historical societies
- Galleries
Information / 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 Art
Employer
- Self-employed
- Shared studios
- Historic sites
- School/Community programs
Information / 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
Area
- Graphic Art
- Computer Graphics
- Illustration
- Advertising
Employer
- 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)
Information / Strategies
- 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
Area
- Studio Art
- Fine Arts
- Art History
Employer
- Art schools
- Public and private schools (K-12)
- Colleges and universities
- Adult and community programs
- Libraries
- Museums
- Alternative schools
- Group homes
Information / Strategies
- 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
Employer
- Hospitals, nursing homes
- Mental health facilities
- Rehabilitation centers
- Nonprofit organizations
Information / 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
Employer
- 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
Information / 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.
Photography
Employer
- Museums and historical societies
- Media organizations
- Photo agencies, studios, and auction houses
- Libraries
- Self-employment
- Large corporations
- Hospitals
Information / Strategies
- 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
Employer
- Pattern companies
- Apparel manufacturers/textile mills
- Interior design departments
- Commercial/residential design firms
- Self-employment
Information / Strategies
- 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
Employer
- Galleries/Museums
- Auction houses
- Specialty stores
Information / Strategies
- 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
- Buying
- Store Management
- Display Design
- Fashion Coordination
- Custom Framing
Employer
- Retail stores, including department, grocery, drug, specialty, and variety chains
Information / Strategies
- 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.
General Information and Strategies
- 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.
- 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.
- Be prepared to begin career in entry-level positions.
- Pair an art degree with other career interests to increase opportunities and provide supplemental income.
- Develop skills in business management, computers, marketing, and other related areas to increase marketability.
- A career in the arts takes dedication, patience, flexibility, talent, and some luck.