“What could I ever do with an art degree?”
Lots of things, of course! Help break the starving artist myth by showing your students how to turn their passions into a paycheck. Each week, take a deeper dive into one of the art careers below to get students excited about using their talents to earn a living.
Art teacher
Inspire students by sharing your own artistic career journey with them. Start by telling them what art class was like for you when you were their age. What artists inspired you? What was your favorite medium? Then describe why you decided to pursue a career in teaching art and how you achieved your degree. Explain what the most fulfilling parts of your job are and how you keep your own creative spark alive.
Graphic artist
The work of graphic artists is everywhere we look. Show students examples of well-designed magazine advertisements, product packaging, billboards, and infographics, including some that feature their favorite brands. Explain that graphic artists use their talents to create compelling and persuasive advertisements and to make information easier for people to understand.
Graphic artists also create the memorable look and style of brands, including their logos. Show students some iconic logos such as Nike, Apple, McDonald’s, and Disney and ask them to name the brands. Then, challenge them to try their hand at graphic design with the “Create your own logo” lesson plan.
Photographer
Photographers can pursue many different career tracks, including commercial photography, fashion photography, event photography, and photojournalism.
If you’re able to offer a photography unit, partner with a fashion design teacher, the yearbook club, or your sports director to allow students to explore different types of photography. After they’ve had a chance to gain some experience, have them reflect on what was different about each type of photography, what they liked best, and why.
Art therapist
Many artists have heightened emotional sensitivity, making a career that combines art with helping people the perfect choice. Art therapists use the creative process of making art to improve the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of individuals. They work with people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities, using various art forms as therapeutic tools.
Talk to students about the healing power of art and share this lesson on neurographic art to help them discover how art can aid in relaxation.
Fashion or interior designer
Do some of your students have a flair for choosing colors and patterns that work well together? They may be headed for a career in fashion or interior design. Explain that these roles can take on many forms, such as costume designer, furniture designer, or sustainable design consultant. Start them down this path by focusing on the principles of design with this lesson plan. They’ll learn how color, texture, line, proportion, and more work together to create harmony in a room or ensemble.
Tattoo artist
According to Forbes, about one-third of Americans are sporting tattoos, and the industry is expected to hit $3.9 billion by 2030. This can be a great option for students who have earned a degree in illustration, are interested in tattoos, or wish to mentor under an established tattoo artist. It can also appeal to students who value making a personal connection with their clients, are inspired by the symbolism and historical aspects of tattoos, or who have an entrepreneurial spirit.
Illustrator
A career in illustration can take many forms. If students love realism and technical drawing, they may enjoy the path of medical illustration. Those who love to tell stories through art might think about becoming a cartoonist, children’s book illustrator, or film animator. Some illustrators draw and paint to their client’s specifications, such as those hired to illustrate a medical manual. Others work at honing their unique styles, like artists Raina Telgemeier, Charles Schulz, or Jim Davis.
Let students dip their toes into illustration by storyboarding a short skit and then animating it using stop-motion animation with this lesson.
Museum curator
To expose students to the world of museum curators, organize a trip to a local art gallery or museum and ask the curator if they’ll give your students a day-in-the-life look at their job of selecting, preserving, and displaying artwork. Then, create a simulated art collection within your classroom using reproductions or prints. Ask students to categorize the works based on style, medium, or historical period and discuss how these decisions align with the responsibilities of a curator.
Then, have students design a virtual or physical exhibition space to showcase their work. They should consider factors such as lighting, layout, and traffic flow to enhance the viewer’s experience. Have students present their space and give the rationale for their choices.
Continue to highlight a variety of art careers
Whether it’s teaching art, graphic design, photography, or something else, each of these career pathways offers unique opportunities for creative expression and financial success. By featuring a diverse range of art professions throughout the year, you can inspire students to transform their artistic talents into fulfilling careers.