Careers In The Art World
Art careers come in all shapes and sizes. There are art industry jobs creating original works, selling and promoting them, and displaying them to the public in museums and galleries. There are jobs teaching others about art and art jobs helping people to express themselves through art.
JOBS OPPORTUNITIES DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FIELD OF ARTS
Fine artists create original works of art. This can be in any medium, such as paint, wood, metal, or textiles. What distinguishes the work of fine artists from most other careers on this list is that its purpose is purely to be a work of art, rather than to add visual appeal to something with a functional purpose (such as making a building, clothing item or making an art web page look good). Fine artists make money by selling their artwork, and many have another job too to give them a regular, reliable income. They specialize in a particular area such as painting or sculpting. Artists make a living by selling their artwork to members of the public or being commissioned to produce a particular art piece.
2. Art gallery curator
Art gallery curators are in charge of the artworks that a gallery owns or has on loan. Large galleries often divide their collections up into groups, each with its own art curator. Curators are involved in buying or borrowing artworks, deciding how to display them, writing explanatory materials for visitors, giving talks to students and the public, keeping records of the works, working with art conservators to ensure that artworks stay in good condition, overseeing junior staff and potentially carrying out relevant academic research. One usually needs a relevant degree, such as art or art history.
3. Art therapist
Art therapists work with people who are facing problems such as mental health, addiction, behavior or communication issues, or who are recovering from illness or brain injury. Therapists encourage them to use art as a way to explore and understand their feelings and find a way to move forward with their lives. It’s about using an activity that people may find easier than talking about their experiences, rather than training them as artists. Art therapists work in places such as schools, hospitals, prisons, and rehab units, and may develop specialisations such as working with children or people with autism. To train as an art therapist one usually needs to have a degree in art and design, or to start out in a career such as psychology, nursing, or social work.
4. Mosaic artist
A mosaic artist works to create art from small pieces of tile, glass, or stone. This sort of artist may create mosaics from original ideas or from a client’s specifications. Some mosaic artists might also work to preserve and restore ancient mosaic artwork found in ancient churches and other buildings. Mosaic art is an ancient art form that has been used for centuries. It is a type of art that is both functional and attractive. Both the Ancient Greeks and the Ancient Romans used mosaics for artistic and functional purposes, such as tile floors. Early Christians also used mosaics to adorn walls and floors of churches and other places of worship with scenes from the bible. This type of art is made using small tiles or chips made from ceramics, stone, or glass. These pieces are then glued onto a surface so that they create a picture or pattern. In order to do this, tiles of several different colors and sizes are usually used.
5. Craft Artist
Craft artists are individuals who take materials, objects, paint, and other design tools to create uniquely expressive pieces. While many craft artists choose to work as sole-proprietors, others can find employment within the scope of large craft retailers. Craft art is a type of art that typically refers to the assembly of handmade goods. This type of art has been around for centuries, and it typically involves making items that are not only attractive but useful as well. In many instances, crafts are generally made from raw natural materials. There are countless different types of crafts and crafting materials. Craft artists may work with wood, for example, and create things like birdhouses, furniture, and woven baskets. Fibers and textiles can also be used to create handcrafted goods, like material, blankets, clothing, and handbags. Other types of craft art may include ceramic dishes, candles, stuffed toys, jewelry, and soap.
6. Art technician/demonstrator at a university
Art technicians, aka art demonstrators, also work in colleges or universities and help teach students. Their work is very practical – they set up the technical equipment needed in an art studio and then help students to use it, for example guiding them through InDesign, using a 3D printer, screenprinting, or traditional photographic processing in a dark room. You’ll typically need a relevant qualification – often a degree, but you may be accepted with a lower level qualification if you have lots of experience.
7. Art valuer/auctioneer
Art valuers appraise how much artwork or antique is worth and therefore how much it should be sold or insured for. They can work for auction houses, insurance companies, or art dealers, and can specialize in areas such as paintings, jewelry, or furniture. The job is often combined with that of an auctioneer, in which case you’ll run auctions too. A relevant degree such as art history is a typical first step, though you may be able to get a job as an assistant or porter at an auction house without one and work your way up.
8. Arts admin and fundraising
A range of people working in different jobs is needed to keep large art galleries and museums running smoothly – for example, fundraisers, marketing and PR staff, managers, admin assistants, and education team members to work with school students or the public. In a smaller venue, there might be just one or two staff members responsible for everything from managing the budget to dealing with inquiries from visitors. Some entry-level jobs don’t require a degree – office admin experience and volunteering in a museum or gallery will help. For others a degree is required or helpful – subjects related to art or business are relevant but not always essential. Alternatively, you could start a career in business outside the art world and then apply once you have experience.
9. Painter
Painting is the process of taking indelible, liquid substances and applying them to any number of surfaces. With the world as his canvas, the artist of today is free to take a plethora of items and through the painting process, create art. Classical painting involves brushes, canvas, and various color products. Painting styles include modern, impressionistic, abstract, surreal, and conceptual; just to name a few. A painter applies paint to a canvas to create a scene. Painting is often much more than simply creating pictures, however. Artists often use their paintings as a means of self-expression, for instance. Nearly every painting that they create is meant to convey certain feelings or emotions. Traditional fine artists may create several different types of paintings, depending on their preferences and skills. Some artists prefer to paint scenes, for instance, while others may prefer to paint portraits. Talented painters will often have their finished works displayed in art galleries or museums. Some modern painters, on the other hand, may use entire buildings as canvases. These individuals are often known as mural painters, and they are often commissioned by individuals, companies, or municipalities to create large painted scenes on the interior or exterior walls. Other painters may specialize in restoring existing paintings. These types of painters usually work with very old and very valuable paintings. They are often responsible for cleaning and preserving the paintings as well as replicating any damaged or faded areas in the painting.
Hence an artistic career can still be a good choice for those who have a love for arts and enjoy being in an ambiance they love. Moreover, they might get an opportunity to work with people who have an artistic mind and thus share their ideas or thoughts with people who value it.