Artist: Visual Art
Comprehensive Sites
Advice on ArtA series of articles is provided to you at this page, for encouragement in beginning a career as an artist. Here, you can read about professional practices, such as pricing your art, or learn how to develop relationships with galleries and collectors.
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Artists and Related WorkersInformation on the nature of artistic work is presented at this page, in addition to expected work environment, related education, employment distribution, and job outlook. You will find a table at the page, which reviews projected employment, with links to detailed statistics on earnings. The latest wage information can also be accessed via the occupational employment statistics links.
CareerOneStop: Fine ArtistsFinding career success is the focus of CareerOneStop, which offers you comprehensive occupational descriptions, as well as videos on your chosen field and industry information. Video at this site introduces you to specializations in fine art, different art mediums, and marketing discussion.
Princeton Review: ArtistA day in the life of an artist is described at this page, with links to information on the quality of life you can expect, facts and figures about being an artist, and suggestions for related college majors and internships. A connection to career opportunities is also available.
Occupational Titles
Commercial Artist
Fine Artist
Graphic Artist
Illustrator
Accredited Academic Programs
Association of Independent Colleges of Art and DesignA consortium of more than 30 prominent schools is found at this site, which seeks to advance the educational opportunities of its members. If you want to find a fully accredited college specializing in your chosen field, this list is a great start and can be searched by major, location, and size. You can also learn about applying to art school and obtaining scholarships.
National Association of Schools of Art and Design: Member ListThis organization of colleges has more than 200 member institutions for your review. Frequently asked questions of students are answered, and important publications in the world of art can be found from the site.
Society of Illustrators: ScholarshipIf you are interested in finding a list of schools with specialties in visual arts, you will find numerous names and contacts of possible institutions at this page.
Salary Levels
Indeed.com: Artist SalariesThe average artist salary is returned with this web address entry, including related jobs. A comparison tool is also available to you, if you want to put in several job titles and compare them.
PayScale: Fine ArtistThe median salary by employer type is found at this page, including fine artists, sculptors, or illustrators in the U.S.
Professional Organizations
American Craft Council LibraryIf you have artistic skill, you may want to take a look at the American Craft Council, a leading voice for craft in the U.S. A calendar of events, information on partner organizations, and a preview of American Craft magazine are available from the site, which introduces visitors to craft collections of all types and galleries nationwide.
American Institute of Graphic ArtsA professional association for design professionals, this organization offers a video series so you can experience designers in sound and motion, as well as interviews with professionals in the field. You can also find out about the organization’s scholarship programs, offered to students who are eager to demonstrate their talents. The American Institute for Graphic Arts encourages artists to get out designs representing ethical practices in society and the environment.
New York Artist Equity AssociationWith over 3,000 members, the New York Artist Equity Association can help you understand the rights, privileges, and opportunities available as an artist. The works and personal pages of members can be viewed.
Society of IllustratorsVideo archives of a lecture series, an online museum, and publications are available to people interested in graphic arts and illustration. For high school and college students thinking about a career in illustration, the organization offers advice and support, as well as a listing of reputable art schools and scholarship information.
Job Opportunity Sources
ArtCareer.NetFollowing a first-time user registration, you will find a search for opportunities in the field of visual art. You can set up a job agent to keep track of job searches for you, or post your resume in the database for job posters to view.
ArtJobIn addition to full- and part-time jobs, this site maintains an extensive database of internships, grants, and public art projects. Register online and search the site by location and art discipline to view all possible positions.
ArtSchools.com: Art Careers, Jobs, & SalariesArtSchools.com offers you a list of resources for finding a job as a fine artist, multimedia artist, or craft artist. Career selection, descriptions and outlook, internships, and assistance with cover letters and resumes are all provided through this set of links.
Indeed.com: ArtistNationwide databases converge at this page, which returns hundreds of positions available to you as an artist. Related forums and salary information can be connected to from the bottom of the page. You can also go directly to a variety of major career databases from this one virtual location.
National Gallery of Art: Graduate InternshipsYou can read about the different divisions within the National Gallery of Art that offer internships and fellowships to recent college graduates. High school volunteer opportunities and other programs provide training and experience in a museum setting of paintings and sculpture of the 20th century.
Publications
Art ForumOnline collections, galleries, and art shows are discussed at this electronic publication, where you can view feature stories, art reviews, openings, previews, and traveling exhibitions. Completely free registration also allows you to take part in discussion forums and view all content.
Art NewsThis widely-read arts magazine hosts current and past issues at its site, as well as a newsletter, which offers you a report of the art market if you are interested in following worldwide trends in the field. Select a year and issue to search the archived headlines collected from Germany, New York, London, Paris, and other centers of art excellence.
Online Forums & Blogs
Indeed.com: Artist ForumForum discussions address salary, artist job opportunities, and challenges of artists’ careers. You can start a discussion and get new comments by e-mail.
Career Videos
CollegeGrad.com: Commercial ArtistCollegeGrad’s career videos include this discussion of commercial art, mediums used, and career opportunities. With a visit to this site, you can be introduced to common work and studio settings, clients, training, and needed skill sets.
Education-Portal.com: Visual Artist Career VideoThe broad field of visual artist is presented at this video, which you can access by clicking on the frame. You can read along as you listen to options available to visual artists, media, skills, and specializations of the trade.
National Gallery of Art: Videos and PodcastsYou can view video and podcasts of the National Gallery of Art here or subscribe to video feeds to receive new updates automatically. From the rise of a great landscape painter to discussions of recent perspectives in contemporary art, you will find a variety of intriguing films that you can hear and get a transcript of.
YouTube: Freelance Artist CareerFocus in on one freelance artist’s career, as she describes the materials she uses, main advantages of being an artist, and recommended qualities of a good artist.
