Art graduates enjoy a wealth of career opportunities.
Fine artists visually express their ideas, thoughts and emotions through a variety of mediums. Fine art graduates who are able to create work in sculpture, ceramics, painting and drawing can look forward to a wealth of career opportunities both as freelancers and full-time employees. As there is no structured career path, the art graduate needs to understand what kind of lucrative roles exist in the community.
Practicing Artist
A practicing fine artist earns his living through the sale of his work. The nature of this role varies significantly depending on the type of art the artist creates, and by which medium it exists. Becoming a practicing artist is financially the most difficult career path to sustain, so usually artists will supplement this role with another more stable line of work.
Art Administrator
An art administrator supports the art sector by managing services and activities in organizations such as galleries, theaters, dance studios and arts councils. The are no formal prerequisites for becoming an art administrator though knowledge of fine art history, performing arts history, and business-related studies are advantageous.
Photographer
Photography can become a particularly lucrative career, and photographers can find both freelance and full-time careers. Photographers usually specialize in a particular area such as fashion, newspaper or editorial photography. A good photographer should have a strong technical aptitude which includes both camera and computer skills.
Art Therapist
Art therapists help people with behavioral and/or emotional difficulties by having clients express their thoughts and emotions through painting, drawing, and sculpting. Drug, alcohol, stress and mental health issues are areas targeted by art therapists. Art therapists can often find full- or part-time work for private health organizations, schools or prisons.
Gallery or Museum Curator
Art gallery and museum curators organize collections of artistic work to best display their key points of interest. It is important for a curator to have a wide knowledge of preservation and conservation techniques. Although curators typically work full-time for museums and galleries, freelance and consultancy work is becoming more common.
