Art and Design

Career Areas

• Education
• Administration
• Curatorial
• Preservation/Conservation
• Restoration
• Registrar
• Collections Management
• Sales
• Publications
• Development
• Public Relations
• Exhibit Design/Preparation
• Archivist
• Art Authentication
• Tour Guides/Docent

Types of Employers

• Art museums: university, public, private
• Local historical societies
• Galleries
• Archives
• Natural history museums
• Living history museums

General Information

• Intern or volunteer in an art museum.
• Develop strength in art history areas.
• Enhance computer skills.
• Earn a minor in business or in museum studies.
• Supplement curriculum with courses in history, religion, anthropology, and classical civilizations.
• Acquire strong skills in research, fund-raising, speaking, and writing.
• Earn an advanced degree in art history, museum studies, or other related discipline depending on specific interests. Each specialty has varying qualifications and required training.
• Each specialty has varying qualifications and required training.
• Develop good interpersonal skills, including the ability to work well on teams.
• Visit museums around the country and world to gain exposure to art.
• Learn a foreign language and plan to study abroad.

Types of Employers

• Self-employed
• Shared studios
• Historic sites
• School/Community programs

General Information

• 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.

Career Areas

• Graphic Art
• Computer Graphics
• Illustration
• Advertising

Employers

• 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)

General Information

• 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.

Career Areas

• Teaching: Studio Art , Fine Arts, Art History
• Research
• Administration
• Library/Information Science
• Visual Resources Curating
• Student Affairs (e.g., Student Activities, Leadership Development, Multi-Cultural Affairs, etc)
• Academic Affairs (e.g., Educational Advancement Programs, Honors Programs, Advising, etc)
• Community Education

Employers

• Art and design schools
• Public and private schools (K-12)
• Colleges and universities
• Adult and community programs
• Libraries
• Museums
• Alternative schools
• Group homes

General Information

• Obtain degree and certification for public school teaching.
• Graduate degree usually required for post- secondary teaching. Teaching Art History at this level is extremely competitive.
• 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.
• Develop excellent speaking, writing, and research skills.
• Learn how to develop curriculum and workshops and how to use multimedia.
• Become an expert in a particular subject.
• Acquire a background in foreign languages such as German or French.
• Maintain a high g.p.a. and secure strong faculty recommendations.
• Seek campus leadership positions such as peer mentor, orientation leader, or resident assistant.

Employers

• Hospitals, nursing homes
• Mental health facilities
• Rehabilitation centers
• Nonprofit organizations

General Information

• 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.

Career Areas

• Publishing
• Editing
• Sales
• Programming
• Design
• Video
• Production
• Art Journalism
• Illustration
• Art Criticism
• Animation/Cartoons

Employers

• 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
• News departments of local, public, and commercial TV and radio stations
• Internet sites
• Production companies

General Information

• Compile an up-to-date portfolio.
• Gain knowledge of a variety of technical equipment.
• Develop strong writing, editing, and computer skills, along with knowledge of the history and culture of art.
• Learn web design skills to prepare for online work. This area of journalism is growing while print is declining.
• Participate in student theatrical productions.
• Serve as audio-visual aide for campus films and lectures.
• Act as photographer for campus events.
• Work with campus or local newspapers, TV, or radio stations.
• Work on student publications.
• Become comfortable working in a deadline-oriented atmosphere.
• Gain experience through internships in media or related areas.
• Consider a minor or supplement curriculum with courses in business, journalism, broadcasting/electronic media, English, or theatre depending on your interests.

Employers

• Museums and historical societies
• Media organizations
• Photo agencies, studios, and auction houses
• Libraries
• Self-employment
• Large corporations
• Hospitals

General Information

• 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.

Employers

• Pattern companies
• Apparel manufacturers/textile mills
• Interior design departments
• Commercial/residential design firms
• Self-employment

General Information

• 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.

Career Areas

• Appraisal: Art and Estate
• Sales
• Antiques Dealing
• Art Authentication
• Public Relations

Employers

• Galleries: profit and nonprofit
• Museums
• Art dealers
• Auction houses
• Specialty stores
• Self-employed
• Interior design firms
• Insurance agencies

General Information

• Gain sales experience through internships or summer and part-time jobs.
• Obtain a business minor to increase knowledge of business principles. An understanding of public relations is also helpful.
• Develop computer skills.
• Establish contacts by attending shows.
• Volunteer in museums, membership drives, local galleries, and community outreach programs.
• Serve as a student assistant in a university gallery.
• Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills. Learn to communicate effectively with a wide range of people.
• Prepare to work independently and be self-motivated. Entrepreneurial spirit, including self-discipline and perseverance, are keys to success.
• Plan to work irregular or long hours.
• Research certificate programs in appraisal studies to prepare for that field.

Career Areas

• Buying
• Store Management
• Display Design
• Fashion Coordination
• Custom Framing

Employers

• Retail stores including:
  • department
  • grocery
  • drug
  • specialty
  • variety chains

General Information

• Gain sales experience.
• Enhance curriculum with business courses.
• Obtain summer, part-time, or internship positions in retail.
• Secure leadership positions in campus organizations.
• Serve as treasurer or financial officer of an organization.
• Obtain a sales position with the yearbook or campus newspaper.

Career Areas

• Administration
• Management
• Public Relations
• Development
• Research
• Grant Writing
• Direct Service

Employers

• Local and national nonprofit agencies (e.g., Arts Education Partnership, American for the Arts)
• Foundations (e.g., International Child Art Foundation)
• Trade or professional associations
• Special interest groups
• Libraries
• Museums: university, public, private
• Historic sites (e.g., The Biltmore, Mount Vernon)
• Historical societies

General Information

• Gain experience through volunteering or completing an internship.
• Supplement curriculum with courses in business, psychology, sociology, or social work.
• Obtain leadership roles in relevant campus and community organizations.
• Develop strong communication and research skills.
• Learn how to write grants.
• Research organizations' values to find a good fit with yours. It is critical that you are knowledgeable about and committed to the work you're going to do.
• Investigate term of service or service corps positions as a way to gain entry into the field.
• Earn a graduate degree for more job opportunities and advancement.

Career Areas

• Public Affairs
• Writing/Editing
• Audiovisual Producing
• Museum Work
• Curating
• Development

Employers

• State arts agencies
• Local, state, and national councils for the arts
• Historical commissions
• Museums/galleries (e.g., Smithsonian Institute, The National Gallery)
• Film boards
• Libraries and archives
• Endowments/grant making agencies
• Cultural affairs agencies

General Information

• Maintain a strong G.P.A. as many government programs are very competitive.
• Complete an internship with the federal government.
• There are a large number of specialized agencies within the federal government. Do extensive research to find the area that best fits your interests.
• Earn a graduate degree for advancement.
• Become familiar with the government application process. Utilize applicable websites and seek assistance from your college career services department.
• Develop a network of contacts through informational interviews and referrals.