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Careers in Art & Design

The field of arts and design is vast and full of exciting opportunities across various industries. Let’s dive into the different career paths you can pursue, ranging from higher education positions to roles in non-profits, for-profits, entertainment, and more.

Careers in Higher Education

  1. Art Professor:
    What They Do: Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in various art disciplines, develop curriculum, grade assignments, provide student feedback, mentor students, conduct scholarly research in art history or practice, exhibit personal artwork, and contribute to departmental and college committees.
  2. Museum Curator:
    What They Do: Manage and care for art collections, plan and organize exhibitions, conduct research on pieces in the collection, write labels and catalog entries, oversee educational programs and tours, collaborate with other curators and institutions, and acquire new pieces for the collection.

Careers in Nonprofit Organizations

  1. Art Therapist:
    What They Do: Conduct individual and group therapy sessions using art as a medium, assess clients’ needs and progress, develop treatment plans, maintain client records, collaborate with other healthcare professionals, and present findings and techniques at conferences and workshops.
  2. Community Arts Organizer:
    What They Do: Develop and implement arts programs that engage local communities, organize public art projects, secure funding through grants and sponsorships, coordinate volunteers and staff, promote events through various media channels, and evaluate the impact of programs on the community.

Careers in For-Profit Organizations

  1. Graphic Designer:
    What They Do: Create visual content for branding, advertising, and marketing campaigns, design logos, websites, and promotional materials, work with clients to understand their needs and vision, use software like Adobe Creative Suite, present design concepts and revisions, and collaborate with other creatives such as copywriters and web developers.
  2. Interior Designer:
    What They Do: Plan and design interior spaces for residential and commercial properties, meet with clients to discuss needs and budget, create design concepts and floor plans, select furniture, lighting, and materials, oversee the implementation of design plans, and ensure projects comply with building codes and regulations.

Careers in Entertainment

  1. Animator:
    What They Do: Create animations and visual effects for films, TV shows, video games, and commercials, develop storyboards, design characters and backgrounds, use software like Maya or After Effects, collaborate with directors and other animators, and meet production deadlines.
  2. Set Designer:
    What They Do: Design and build sets for theater productions, films, and TV shows, create scale models and drawings, collaborate with directors and production teams, select materials and props, oversee the construction and installation of sets, and ensure sets meet aesthetic and functional requirements.

Other Relevant Careers

  1. Art Director:
    What They Do: Oversee the visual style and creative direction of publications, advertising campaigns, and film productions, lead a team of designers, photographers, and illustrators, develop concepts and strategies, present ideas to clients or executives, and ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.
  2. Fashion Designer:
    What They Do: Design clothing, accessories, and footwear, create sketches and prototypes, select fabrics and materials, oversee production processes, present collections at fashion shows, and collaborate with other designers and marketers to promote and sell designs.
  3. Art Conservator:
    What They Do: Preserve and restore artworks, conduct scientific analyses to determine the best preservation methods, document the condition and treatment of artworks, use specialized tools and materials to repair and maintain art, collaborate with museum curators and other professionals, and educate the public about art conservation.

Final Thoughts

The world of arts and design is brimming with opportunities that cater to a wide range of interests and skills. Whether you’re drawn to teaching, community engagement, commercial design, or the entertainment industry, there’s a career path that can turn your passion for art into a fulfilling profession. So, explore these options, follow your creative instincts, and start crafting your dream career!

Art Therapy: A Path to Healing Through Creativity

Art therapy is a unique and rewarding career that combines the creative process of making art with the therapeutic process of healing. Art therapists use their skills to help people express themselves, explore their emotions, and improve their mental health. Let’s dive into what art therapists do, who they work with, their work environment, and the education required to become one.

Art therapists use various art forms, such as drawing, painting, sculpture, and collage, to help clients express their thoughts and feelings. They believe that the creative process can be a powerful tool for healing and personal growth. Here are some key tasks that art therapists perform:

  • Assessment: They evaluate clients’ needs and determine the best approach to therapy.
  • Therapeutic Sessions: They conduct individual or group sessions where clients create art to explore their emotions and experiences.
  • Interpretation: They help clients understand the meaning behind their artwork and how it relates to their feelings and behaviors.
  • Treatment Planning: They develop personalized treatment plans to address clients’ specific issues and goals.
  • Documentation: They keep detailed records of clients’ progress and sessions.

Art therapists work with a diverse range of clients who experience a variety of challenges including:

  • Children and Adolescents: Helping young people cope with issues like trauma, anxiety, and behavioral problems.
  • Adults: Assisting individuals dealing with stress, depression, addiction, and other mental health challenges.
  • Elderly: Supporting seniors facing aging-related issues, such as dementia and loneliness.
  • Special Populations: Working with people with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or those who have experienced significant life changes.

Art therapists work in various settings, including hospitals, schools, mental health clinics, in private practice, and in community centers.

Becoming an art therapist requires a combination of education, training, and experience. Beginning in college, earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology and/or art is recommended. After completing your undergraduate degree, potential Art Therapists enroll in a master’s program in art therapy, which typically takes 2-3 years to complete. These programs include coursework in psychology, counseling, and art therapy techniques, as well as supervised clinical experience.

The salary for art therapists in the United States can vary based on factors like experience, location, and the specific work setting. Entry-level Art therapists typically earn around $45,000 per year. Experienced Art Therapists (8+years) on average earn $65,000+ per year.

Art therapy is a fulfilling career that allows you to combine your passion for art with a desire to help others. By guiding clients through the creative process, art therapists play a crucial role in promoting mental health and well-being. If you have a love for art and a commitment to helping people, this career might be the perfect fit for you.

Grad school degree options for artists of all types

For those interested in the Visual & Performing Arts, graduate school may be something to consider. Whether you are pursuing studio art, film, theater or music there are two main degree programs you can think about considering; The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and the Master of Arts (MA). Whereas with music, one often pursues a Master of Music (MM). Each degree can be further categorized depending on your area of interest. For example, if you’re pursuing Film you can pursue an MFA or MA in Filmmaking, Visual Arts can receive a MFA or MA in Visual Arts, Music Education can receive an MM in Music Education, etc. However, what are the big differences between these degree programs? 

Let’s start with the Master of Fine Arts. The MFA is often more rigorous than the MA program since it offers much more hands-on course work. This is because the MFA program is often thought of as terminal, or as the last degree someone earns for their career. The MFA often takes 2-3 years to complete. 

The Master of Arts on the other hand is a little less rigorous when it comes to hands-on course work. The degree program can be completed in 2 years, and often features more seminars and is much more academic in design. Unlike the MFA, the MA is often not terminal. This means it is used as a stepping-stone to achieve high degrees, such as a Doctorate.  

The Master of Music is the main Masters degree for those studying Music Education, Performance, Composition etc. There are of course MA programs for those interested in pursuing music as well, but it is often designed to have a broad overlook of the topic of music rather than specializing in just one area like the MM programs. 

Want to know more about an MFA, MA, of MM in your career path? Check out these sources below:  

By Marissa Lake ’22. I am a sophomore Vocal Performance major. I am also the curator for the #ECE and #VPA Career Communities. I love performing as well as music education, and I hope to one day become an established vocalist.