Careers in the Visual Arts

The Artist in the 21st Century

If you are invested in the act of creativity you are fortunate enough to be living in a moment in time not only inundated, but virtually defined by visual media. Indeed, everything manufactured - from websites to lawn ornaments and everything in between - has at some time been touched by the hand, mind, or eye of a creative person. Consequently, job prospects in the fields of Art, Applied Art, Art History, Art Education, and Architecture are better than they've ever been. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

  • The revolution in electronic communications, multimedia and entertainment has created a growing need for highly skilled artists and designers.
  • The explosion of eMedia and popular culture has created parallel growth and demand for the traditional visual and performing arts disciplines.
  • Employment of visual artists is expected to grow faster than average for all occupations over the next decade.
  • Demand for graphic artists should remain strong as producers of information, goods, and services put increasing emphasis on visual appeal in product design, advertising, marketing, and entertainment.

The Artist as a professional

The prevalence of digital media and advertising as well as the overwhelming presence of the Internet stand out as the most obvious career choices. However, you do not have to become an expert in digital applications in order to make a living in art. There are virtually thousands of artists, designers, craftspersons, architects and scholars who have not had to sacrifice their sense of creative individuality in order to earn a living.

As you read the list of career choices please understand that it is by no means exhaustive. With this in mind, it can be an understandably daunting task to choose from among the many possibilities. That is where two of our most valuable resources come into play - The Temple University Career Center and The Tyler School of Art faculty. The Temple University Career Center provides guidance and assistance with resumes, cover letters, job leads and fairs, internships and externships to current students and alumni. The Tyler faculty offer an astonishing amount of knowledge and experience both in instruction and career development.

The Tyler Career Center contact is Mary Claire Dismukes, Career Coach

Temple University Career Center
220 Mitten Hall
(215) 204-4474 (direct)
(215) 204-7981 (office)
dismukes@temple.edu
www.temple.edu/careercenter

We at Tyler believe wholeheartedly in artistic career potential. Therefore, we are committed to insuring a balanced education emphasizing both studio and academic coursework with an eye set towards a practical yet profitable future - marked by personal fulfillment and purpose.

CAREERS BY MAJOR

ART EDUCATION
Elementary, Secondary, Post-Secondary Education; Community, Art, Cultural Centers;
Art Galleries, nursing/drug/daycare centers; weekend programs

Art Critic/Writer
Art Teacher
Artist-in-Residence/Artist-in-the-Schools
Arts Administrator
Free-lance Instructor
Postsecondary Instructor
Recreation Specialist
Teacher/Instructor - Overseas
Teacher of Art and Recreation

ART HISTORY
Museums, galleries, industry

Archivist
Art Gallery and Auction House Assistant
Art Historian, Art Law Specialist
Art Critic/Writer
Arts Organization Consultant/Administrator
Corporate, Museum, University Curator
Curatorial Consultant
Fine Arts Appraiser
Researcher
Restorer, Conservator
Publishing proofreader
Visual Resources Curator (Education & Industry)
Teacher/Administrator, Art Lecturer

CRAFTS: CERAMICS, FIBERS/WEAVING, GLASS, METALS/JEWELRY/CAD-CAM
Museums, galleries, industry, schools

Administrator, Industry Consultant
Artist-in-Residence/Artist in Schools
Free-lance, Commissioned, self Employed Craftsperson
CAD designer, Jewelry Designer
Glass Designer, Stained Glass Designer
Ceramicist
Fabric Designer, Textile Designer
Historical Master Craftsperson, Consultant, Apprentice
Industrial Designer
Museum Craftsperson, Restorer, Conservator
Special F/X, Model Maker, Mold Maker
Tabletop Designer, Toy Designer
Wood & Metal Shop Supervisor/Technician

FINE ARTS: DRAWING, PAINTING, PRINTMAKING, SCULPTURE
Museums, galleries, industry, schools

Art Writer/Critic
Artist-in-Residence/Artist-in-Schools
Commercial Serigrapher/Silkscreener
Costume Designer, Court Artist
Digital Imaging
Foundry Owner/Operator
Gallery Owner/Administrator
Master Printer/Print Studio Owner
Model Maker, Muralist
Painter, Sculptor, Printmaker (free-lance, commission)
Portrait Painter/Sculptor, Set Designer
Scientific Illustration, Technical Illustration
Teacher/Administrator

GRAPHIC DESIGN, ILLUSTRATION, PHOTOGRAPHY
Advertising, Television/Film, Corporate, Mass-Media

Art Director
Book Illustrator, Technical/Production Illustrator
Exhibitions Designer
Free-lance Photographer
Font Designer
Graphic Designer-Advertising, Corporate, Publishing,
TV/Film, Entertainment
Multi-media specialist
Package Designer, Product Designer
Photo/Computer/Digital Lab Technician
Urban Graphics Designer-(display, signs, billboards)
Web Designer, Webmaster

MUSEUM STUDIES, ARTS ADMINISTRATION, CONSERVATION/RESTORATION
(Usually requires MFA, MA or PhD)
Social, cultural agencies; Education

Art Director
Art Lecturer/Visiting Scholar
Art Supervisor
Arts Administrator
Arts Management
Career Development Counselor
Cataloger
Conservator/Restorer
Development/Grant Writer
Director
Director of Visual Arts Program
Exhibitions Coordinator
Fine Arts Appraiser
Gallery Director
Museum Educator/Researcher
Photography Lab Technician
Registrar

ARCHITECTURE

Architect
Interior Architect
Architectural Photographer
Land Planner
Architectural Writer/Critic
Public Architect
Architecture Educator
Sustainable Design Specialist
Building Pathologist
Urban Designer
CAD Specialist
Urban Planner
Construction Manager
Corporate Architect
Exhibit Designer
Facility Managers Architects
Industrial Designer

APPLIED ARTS
(All Studio Disciplines)

Arts Administrator, Art Dealer
Art Consultant
Carpet Designer
Curator, Writer, Critic
Exhibit Designer
Fabric and Textile Designer
Furniture Designer
Gallery Director
Greeting Card Designer
Resilient Flooring Designer
Stylist
Tableware Designer, Toy Manufacture and Designer
Wallcovering Designer

INTERNET RESOURCES

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Outlook Handbook

Visual Nation-Careers in Art

The Art DEADLINES List

The National Portfolio Day Association

Graduate Portfolio Days

artistsregister.com

nyfa.org

inliquid.com

INTERNSHIP RESOURCE GUIDES
Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance
320 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19206
(215) 440-8100
philaculture.org

GENERAL RESOURCE GUIDES/ASSOCIATIONS
Alternative Careers for Teachers, Revised Edition
by Sandy Pollack
The Harvard Common Press

Opportunities in Visual Arts Careers
by Mark Salmon
VGM Career Horizons, NTC Publishing Group

Careers in Art: An Illustrated Guide
by Gerald F. Brommer and Joseph A. Gatto

Gallery Guide
Art Now Inc.
97 Grayrock Road
PO Box 5541
Clinton, NJ 08809
galleryguide.org

AIGA: The Professional Association for Design
164 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
212-807-1990
aiga.org

eArchitect: For Architects and the Architectural profession
e-architect.com

The National Association of Schools of Art and Design
11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21
Reston, VA 20190
nasad.arts-accredit.org

The Industrial Designers Society of America
idsa.org