Information about http://www.careers.csulb.edu/major/pdf/art.pdf
ART …
Tags: academic discipline, art history, art museum, art museums, career development opportunities, collections management, computer skills, degree areas, education government, exhibit design, fine arts, historical societies, interpersonal skills, museum administration, museums galleries, private museums, public relations, volunteer, what can i do with this degree,Pages: 4
Language: english
Created: Wed Mar 25 19:51:53 1914
Display cached document
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
ART
What can I do with this degree?
AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES
ART MUSEUMS/GALLERIES
Education Government or private museums Intern or volunteer in an art museum.
Administration Local historical societies Develop strength in art history areas.
Curatorial Galleries Enhance computer skills.
Conservation Earn a business minor.
Registrar Acquire strong skills in research, fund-raising,
Collections Management speaking, and writing.
Sales Earn an advanced degree in an academic discipline
Publications or museum studies for greater career
Development opportunities.
Public Relations Each specialty has varying qualifications and
Exhibit Design/Preparation required training.
Archivist Develop good interpersonal skills, including the
Tour Guides/Docent ability to work well on teams.
FINE ARTS
Self-employed Prepare a strong portfolio.
Shared studios Participate in juried shows.
Historic sites Secure guild membership.
School/Community programs Consider developing a source of supplemental
income.
Learn to network and make contacts.
Develop strong skills in area of interest.
Obtain experience through apprenticeships, intern-
ships, or volunteering.
COMMERCIAL ART
Graphic Art Newspapers Prepare a strong portfolio.
Computer Graphics Publishing houses Gain computer and technical skills.
Illustration Advertising agencies Find an internship in a design firm.
Advertising Design firms Work on campus publications in design or layout.
Large companies - product design divisions Obtain summer or part-time experience with book,
Department stores magazine, or newspaper publishers.
Television and motion picture industry Develop attention to detail and ability to meet
Non-technical and technical books, magazines, and deadlines.
trade publications Supplement curriculum with course work in advertising
Internet media companies or business.
Self-employed (freelance)
(Art, Page 2)
AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES
EDUCATION Art schools
Studio Art Public and private schools (K-12) Obtain certification for public school teaching.
Fine Arts Colleges and universities Graduate degree usually required for post-
Art History Adult and community programs secondary teaching.
Libraries Develop a speciality area.
Museums Work or volunteer as a tutor, camp counselor, Big
Alternative schools Brother/Sister, or after-school program counselor.
Group homes Become a member of art clubs.
Obtain substitute teaching experience.
Develop strength in art history areas.
ART THERAPY Hospitals, nursing homes Requires specialized training and certification, usually
Mental health facilities a master's degree in art therapy.
Rehabilitation centers Supplement curriculum with psychology, social work, or
Nonprofit organizations counseling courses.
Gain experience working with diverse populations.
MEDIA
Sales Corporate media departments Compile an up-to-date portfolio.
Programming Federal, state, and local government Gain knowledge of a variety of technical equipment.
Design Nonprofit agencies Develop strong computer skills.
Video Public relations and advertising firms Participate in student theatrical productions.
Production Independent production companies Serve as audio-visual aide for campus films and
Editing Art-related publications lectures.
Art Journalism Publishing houses Act as photographer for campus events.
Illustration Newspapers and magazines Work on student publications.
Art Criticism Gain experience through internships in media or
Animation/Cartoons related areas.
Supplement curriculum with courses in business,
journalism, or broadcasting/electronic media.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Museums and historical societies Apprentice with a free-lance photographer.
Media organizations Prepare a black and white and a color portfolio.
Photo agencies, studios, and auction houses Obtain a staff photographer position with the
Libraries yearbook, campus newspaper, or magazine.
Self-employment Act as an audio-visual assistant or projectionist.
Large corporations
Hospitals
(Art, Page 3)
AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES
FASHION, TEXTILE,
INTERIOR DESIGN Prepare a strong portfolio.
Pattern companies
Apparel manufacturers/textile mills Complete an internship in a production firm.
Interior design departments Create and fit costumes for stage productions.
Commercial/residential design firms Enter design ideas in magazine contests.
Self-employment Become a student member of professional
organization(s).
Reseach requirements for entering these fields. Some
may require specialized training or additional
degrees.
ART SALES
Galleries/Museums Gain sales experience.
Auction houses Obtain a business minor.
Specialty stores Develop computer skills.
Establish contacts by attending shows.
Volunteer in museums, membership drives, and
community outreach programs.
Serve as a student assistant in a university gallery.
Develop strong interpersonal and communication skills.
RETAIL
Buying Retail stores, including department, grocery, Gain sales experience.
Store Management drug, specialty, and variety chains Enhance curriculum with business courses.
Display Design Obtain summer, part-time, or internship positions in
Fashion Coordination retail.
Custom Framing Secure leadership in campus organizations.
Serve as treasurer or financial officer of an organization.
Obtain a sales position with the yearbook or campus
newspaper.
(Art, Page 4)
GENERAL INFORMATION
· A bachelor's degree is valuable for entry-level positions, but an advanced degree is usually necessary to attain competitive, upper-level positions.
· An art degree can and should be tailored to areas of specialization.
· Save artwork for a strong portfolio - too much is better than too little.
· Be prepared to relocate to the larger markets of metropolitan areas where more opportunities exist.
· Join art related professional and student organizations.
· Volunteer with fundraising efforts for the arts.
· Gain valuable experience through volunteering, internships, part-time and summer jobs, and apprenticeships.
· Conduct informational interviews with professionals in areas of interest to learn more about opportunities and strategies for these areas.
· Learn to network.
· Be prepared to begin career in entry-level positions.
· Pair an art degree with other career interests to increase opportunities and provide supplemental income.
· Develop skills in business management, computers, marketing, and other related areas to increase marketability.
· A career in the arts takes dedication, patience, flexibility, talent, and some luck.
Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (1992, Revised 1999, Revised 2004)
UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA Employer