A Career Guide for Studio Art Majors The study of art encompasses the exploration of etc.) or a design support position. Some art a variety of media as a vehicle to express human students prepare to teach. It is not unusual for thoughts, interests, attitudes, emotions and ideas. fine artists to experiment with different options for a Fine art is a complex field from a career standpoint few years. It is advisable for art students to prepare because the fine artist is his/her own employer for the job market by developing strong computer and promoter. Because it may take many years skills. Knowledge of business as it relates to one’s to develop a career as a successful artist, most career is helpful for any artist. graduates initially seek ways of earning a living other than from sales of their personal work. This The role of the artist in society is unique, and a takes determination and perseverance with no major in studio art can result in a rewarding career strictly defined career path. path. Artists are creative problem solvers, enjoy experimentation, are self-disciplined and are The choices are very individual. This might mean visually aware. a position in an arts organization (museum, gallery, Skills Specific skills developed by artists depend to some formal elements such as color, line and space is degree on their creative interests. However, many important for an art teacher, museum curator, of the skills learned are transferable to a variety display designer or independent artist. of sectors and jobs. For example, understanding Technical Communication Artistic Problem Solving Knowing the qualities and Criticizing, evaluating, and Seeing, drawing, and Pursuing innovative and limitations of each medium explaining works of art understanding form unconventional solutions Working with a variety of Collaborating with others Relating abstract ideas Taking multiple approach- media and visual forms es to problems Attaining a high level of Interpreting data or verbal Mastering the use of color, Work under pressure and craftsmanship instructions to produce art space and line meet deadlines work Good finger and manual Presenting and displaying Utlizing theories of com- Utilizing available re- dexterity work position sources Working independently Communicating visually Visualizing shapes and Adapting techniques spatial relationships Career Opportunities There are a variety of art-related careers in has more opportunities than the non-profit side. commercial, nonprofit and government settings. Non-profit organizations, museums and some Art teaching positions in the public schools are government agencies depend on appropriations available to those with teacher certification. and donations for funds, so they tend to hire fewer Digital media is a constantly expanding field people and have less to pay them. with opportunities for artists in gaming, film, web design, animation and interactive media Fine Arts for educational tools and advertising. There is Painting, printmaking, ceramics, photography, great demand for webpage designers. Students sculpture and drawing are all examples of the fine with knowledge of interactive media tools have arts. Of all artistic pursuits, fine arts can be the excellent employment potential in a variety of most isolating. Aspiring artists would do well to settings. In general, the commercial side of art connect with other artists by sharing studio space Fine Arts Career Services • The University of Texas at Austin • DFA 1.103 • http://www.utexas.edu/finearts/careers [512] 232-7333 • [email protected] • twitter.com/utfacs • http://www.facebook.com/utfacs 1 A Career Guide for Studio Art Majors or joining an arts group. No matter how you do it, and sports cartoons. Some cartoonists work with finding a way to connect with others means that others who create the idea or story and write the you are not working in a vacuum. This strategy captions. Most cartoonists have comic, critical or will likely benefit both your emotional well-being dramatic talents in addition to drawing skills. and your art. Try to find opportunities to exhibit your work. Look for calls for submissions in Sketch artists create likenesses of subjects using publications, journals and newsletters. Also, look pencil, charcoal or pastels. Sketches are used for receptive restaurant owners, community arts in film for sketch rendering, by law enforcement centers, libraries, banks and other public spaces to agencies to assist in identifying suspects, by the show your work. news media to depict courtroom scenes and by individual patrons for their own enjoyment. Illustrators and photographers can often sell their art on a freelance basis to many types of Art Therapy organizations, including print publishers, stock The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) agencies and advertising firms. Staff positions defines art therapy as a mental health profession as an illustrator or photographer are rare, but that uses the creative process of art making to do exist in universities, hospitals and other large improve and enhance the physical, mental and organizations. Keep in mind that it usually takes emotional well-being of individuals of all ages. several years to develop the relationships and Research in the field confirms that the creative contacts that lead to enough freelance work to process involved in artistic self-expression helps support yourself as an artist. In graphic design, people to become more physically, mentally, illustration and photography, you will need a and emotionally healthy and functional, resolve portfolio containing samples of your art in order to conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal look for work. skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, handle life adjustments, and achieve insight. Graphic Arts Graphic arts or graphic design is the largest area The AATA sets educational, professional, of commercially sold art. A graphic designer uses and ethical standards for its members. The type and images (photographic or illustrative) to Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB), an communicate. Graphic designers can work on independent organization, grants credentials. a freelance or contract basis or as an in-house Registration is granted upon completion of staff member for publishers, advertising agencies, graduate education and post-graduate supervised design firms, museums or at companies that experience. Board Certification is granted to have communications departments. In today’s Registered Art Therapists who pass a written workplace, graphic artists need to be comfortable examination and is maintained through continuing using various computer graphics programs and education. Some states regulate the practice of desktop publishing software. art therapy and in many states art therapists can become licensed as counselors or mental health Medical and scientific illustrators combine drawing therapists. skills with knowledge of biological sciences. Medical illustrators draw illustrations of human Arts Administration anatomy and surgical procedures. Scientific Arts organizations, like most for profit companies, illustrators draw illustrations of animals and have a number of administrative, business or plants. These illustrations are used in medical management functions. These roles require people and scientific publications and in audiovisual with creativity and an understanding and passion presentations for teaching purposes. Medical for the arts, as well as skills in a range of areas from illustrators also work for lawyers, producing finance and marketing to education. exhibits for court cases. The specific positions available at an arts Cartoonists draw political, advertising, social organization will depend on what the organization Fine Arts Career Services • The University of Texas at Austin • DFA 1.103 • http://www.utexas.edu/finearts/careers [512] 232-7333 • [email protected] • twitter.com/utfacs • http://www.facebook.com/utfacs 2 A Career Guide for Studio Art Majors does and how large its budget and staff are. Since Digital Art arts managers are needed in virtually every arts Rapid technological advances have provided organization, from theatre companies to museums, many intersections with art. Computer graphics, many opportunities exist in this field. For example, animation, CAD (computer aided design), a museum is likely to have staff members in simulation, image processing, systems design and education that work with school groups to introduce scientific visualization all draw from both art and children to the exhibits. An opera company, concert technology. hall, or theatre needs box-office and front of the house workers to manage ticket sales, write press Digital media artists and animators work primarily releases, market the productions in the community, in the video, advertising, gaming and motion and create visibility. Some theatre companies picture and television industries. They draw by need general managers to schedule tours, monitor hand and use computers to create the large series union agreements, and run the business side of of pictures that form the animated images or performances. special effects seen in movies, television programs and computer games. Some draw storyboards Over the last decade, arts management has become for television commercials, movies and animated a growing field with increasing specialization and features. Storyboards present television training. A number of new graduate training and commercials in a series of scenes similar to a certification programs have emerged. These comic