3 answers
Chandonni
Student
Niles, Michigan
1
Question
Updated
245 views
What steps can I take to build a strong foundation for my future career as an artist?
I am a senior in high school and I am an artist. I plan to become a professional artist during and after college. I want my income to be soley art based. #Spring2026
Login to comment
3 answers
Kim Matthews
Graphic Production Designer and Sculptor
136
Answers
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Hi Chandonni,
I agree with Joe. You will need other income streams, because only a very, very small percentage of working artists can support themselves solely on art sales, and it takes time, persistence, and luck. You'll need a way to pay your bills while you focus on improving your craft. And there will be downtimes. Graduating from college doesn't make you ready to exhibit and sell professionally; it makes you ready to pursue your interests and really get to know yourself and what your work is about. There's often as much to unlearn as there is to learn after years in school.
The field is extremely competitive, and some artists form cooperatives so they can share exhibition and/or studio space, and expenses. There's a co-op gallery in my city that hosts a big nationwide show every year, and they generate a good chunk of revenue mostly from application fees for those shows.
Almost all the other artists I know have other jobs. They're art professors or high school art teachers. One is an art museum guard and community college teacher. One is a painter who is married to an archaeologist and sells custom-made clothing and knitwear to make ends meet. I'm a freelance proofreader, editor, and graphic production designer. What we all have in common is that we found art-adjacent kinds of work that feeds into our art practices.
For now, I'd focus on getting a well-rounded education while you focus on your art studies, including doing independent research on living artists and their career paths.
Hope this helps. I wish I had more exciting advice but you deserve answers based on experience.
I agree with Joe. You will need other income streams, because only a very, very small percentage of working artists can support themselves solely on art sales, and it takes time, persistence, and luck. You'll need a way to pay your bills while you focus on improving your craft. And there will be downtimes. Graduating from college doesn't make you ready to exhibit and sell professionally; it makes you ready to pursue your interests and really get to know yourself and what your work is about. There's often as much to unlearn as there is to learn after years in school.
The field is extremely competitive, and some artists form cooperatives so they can share exhibition and/or studio space, and expenses. There's a co-op gallery in my city that hosts a big nationwide show every year, and they generate a good chunk of revenue mostly from application fees for those shows.
Almost all the other artists I know have other jobs. They're art professors or high school art teachers. One is an art museum guard and community college teacher. One is a painter who is married to an archaeologist and sells custom-made clothing and knitwear to make ends meet. I'm a freelance proofreader, editor, and graphic production designer. What we all have in common is that we found art-adjacent kinds of work that feeds into our art practices.
For now, I'd focus on getting a well-rounded education while you focus on your art studies, including doing independent research on living artists and their career paths.
Hope this helps. I wish I had more exciting advice but you deserve answers based on experience.
Joseph Spirtos
Artist/Online Task Contributor/Photographer
26
Answers
Poland, Ohio
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
Hey there!
It's nice to hear someone so ambitious about art these days. I would reccomend getting a part-time job in another field outside of art because it could take quite some time to get all your income from art. I am not trying to discourage you however, and I would recoomend visiting some art museums around you and see if they have any job opportunities or could at least give some advice as to where some art jobs could be near you.
Best of Luck!
Joe
It's nice to hear someone so ambitious about art these days. I would reccomend getting a part-time job in another field outside of art because it could take quite some time to get all your income from art. I am not trying to discourage you however, and I would recoomend visiting some art museums around you and see if they have any job opportunities or could at least give some advice as to where some art jobs could be near you.
Best of Luck!
Joe
Azima Leyyan
Aspiring Tech Artist | Digital Artist | Blender | Programmer
2
Answers
Doha, Qatar
Updated
Azima’s Answer
Hi, there!
Well, if you want my advice, start practicing during your high school years. Think of your talent as your product. To pay bills solely with art, you need to learn the business basics like self-promotion and pricing early, and create multiple ways to make money.
Do some research, and at the same time, try to figure out your artistic focus. Will you make physical art or digital assets? It’s even better if you can pick a specific route—like becoming a sculptor, a character designer, or a 3D modeler.
With this, you'll have a much clearer roadmap to achieving your dream, as we're lucky enough that most art roles usually have massive and supportive communities that help each other with our needs.
Well, if you want my advice, start practicing during your high school years. Think of your talent as your product. To pay bills solely with art, you need to learn the business basics like self-promotion and pricing early, and create multiple ways to make money.
Do some research, and at the same time, try to figure out your artistic focus. Will you make physical art or digital assets? It’s even better if you can pick a specific route—like becoming a sculptor, a character designer, or a 3D modeler.
With this, you'll have a much clearer roadmap to achieving your dream, as we're lucky enough that most art roles usually have massive and supportive communities that help each other with our needs.