ART ESPRESSO #2: What Is The Future For Art Students? Job Options, Statistics... and More!!!

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU HAVE ALREADY CHOSEN YOUR CAREER PATH, BUT YOUR PARENTS DON’T SEEM TO AGREE? HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN A SITUATION WHERE YOU ARE ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT DOING YOUR BEST IN FINE ARTS COLLEGE BUT CANNOT STOP FROM HEARING OTHER PEOPLE TALKING SH** ABOUT YOUR CHOICE?

WELL THERE IS A REASON WHY PEOPLE (INCLUDING YOUR PARENTS) ARE SO SKEPTICAL ABOUT ART MAJOR. IN THE RECENT STUDY ON THE LIVES OF ARTS GRADUATES AND WORKING ARTISTS THE NUMBERS ARE NOT EXACTLY WHAT WE EXPECT. IN FACT, IT CONCLUDES THAT OUT OF 2 MILLION ARTS GRADUATES NATIONALLY, ONLY 10 PERCENT, OR 200,000 PEOPLE, MAKE THEIR PRIMARY EARNINGS AS WORKING ARTISTS.

In the United States, 40 percent of working artists do not have bachelor’s degrees in any field. Only 16 percent of working artists have arts-related bachelor’s degrees.

But, worry not. There ARE number of working places where you can finally put in what you have learned so far. Here is the list of possible job options.

FINE ARTIST

If you have a degree in fine arts you may pursue and follow your dream to work as a creative artist. Majority of these people sell their works to museums, art galleries or directly to costumers, based on talents and reputations built in the market. While building such reputation may take a long time, you should always remember that consistency is the key and your career options are not limited to such work.

ILLUSTRATOR

Their work model is usually like a freelancer’s that aim to use their creative skills to help clients communicate stories or ideas. You should also show that you can work in a variety of formats, particularly with computer-aided design (CAD) techniques. A postgraduate degree in fine arts specializing in illustration should give you a good range of relevant skills to offer prospective employers.

PHOTOGRAPHER

Countless industries purchase photographs for use in publications and on products.The photographer usually charges a royalty as well as a one-time fee, depending on the terms of the contract. Commercial photographers may also promote their work to advertising and editorial art buyers via printed and online marketing vehicles. Some fields, such as fashion photography, are particularly competitive, and you may find it beneficial to have a Master of Fine Arts specializing in photography.

ANIMATOR

An animator produces multiple images called frames, which when sequenced together create an illusion of movement known as animation. Animators could even work in the visual effects team on a film. This is another competitive area and in this case, your portfolio would be in the form of a short yet effective showreel – a DVD or online portfolio video. To become an animator you need to have artistic talent and strong technical skills with a good eye for detail.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

A graphic designer creates the graphics primarily for published, printed or electronic media, such as brochures (sometimes) and advertising. They are also sometimes responsible for typesetting, illustration, user interfaces, and web design.

ARTS ADMINISTRATOR

As an arts administrator, you would plan and organize arts activities and ensure they are successful. If you’re passionate about the arts and enjoy managing and organizing, this career could be for you, enabling you to gain new perspectives on art and its various community and social roles. You will need strong administration and computer skills for this role.

PRINTMAKER
Printmaking is the process of making artworks by printing, normally on paper. Techniques used include etching, block-printing, woodcuts, silk-screening and lithography, with electronic and digital processes increasingly being used. To increase your employability (especially if you decide to become self-employed), seek out relevant work experience opportunities and build up a network of relevant contacts by reaching out in person and online.

ARTS TEACHER

The majority of an art teacher's work entails guiding students through different projects in ceramics, sculpture, painting, drawing, and other areas. Some also teach art history and introduce students to the works of master artists.Potential art teachers must obtain a bachelor's degree in art or in art education to gain a solid background in color theory, design, and painting as well as lesson planning, classroom management, and teaching methods.

Sources:
http://bfamfaphd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/BFAMFAPhD_ArtistsReportBack2014-10.pdf