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What are career opportunities in the Art/Creative world for someone with a Business background?
Hello, I am someone who is passionate about the arts and creative sphere, but have chosen a business and social sciences degree path because I would like to utilize those skills in a workplace. What would the opportunities for someone with my background look like in the creative space? Project finance? Museum Administration?
Thank you!
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Sophie Clissold-Lesser
project manager in Sales Enablement
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Sophie’s Answer
Every theatre or museum or gallery is also a business and as well as needing creative skills there is a need for administration and management.
I was on the board of trustees for a small theatre (also registered as a charity) and can speak from that experience. The theatre is an employer and has to manage its staff team. It's also managing suppliers - everything from builders and electricians to the programme printers and the refreshments. And there are contractual agreements to put in place and manage - with actors, technicians, suppliers and other theatres or touring companies. The finances need managing same as for any other business.
And all these things need to run smoothly in order for the artistic creative work to continue. Please never underestimate the importance of good adminstration and management to the creative world... if you can take your passion and your business skillset and bring them together this could be a highly valued role.
I'm not sure where you are in your education at the moment. In the UK there are college courses in theatre management or you could consider looking for entry level roles, in the type of organisation you're interested in, to get a foot in the door and learn more about how to develop the experience needed to grow your arts management career. Good luck.
I was on the board of trustees for a small theatre (also registered as a charity) and can speak from that experience. The theatre is an employer and has to manage its staff team. It's also managing suppliers - everything from builders and electricians to the programme printers and the refreshments. And there are contractual agreements to put in place and manage - with actors, technicians, suppliers and other theatres or touring companies. The finances need managing same as for any other business.
And all these things need to run smoothly in order for the artistic creative work to continue. Please never underestimate the importance of good adminstration and management to the creative world... if you can take your passion and your business skillset and bring them together this could be a highly valued role.
I'm not sure where you are in your education at the moment. In the UK there are college courses in theatre management or you could consider looking for entry level roles, in the type of organisation you're interested in, to get a foot in the door and learn more about how to develop the experience needed to grow your arts management career. Good luck.
Updated
Mona’s Answer
Hello Mike. As everyone spoke of great possibilities, business, and social science can contribute so much to creative professionals. Based on my experience as a fine artist, I can think of some related to your background; I hope it will be helpful.
1)Art Marketing and Promotion: Business strategies that help artists promote their work effectively, such as branding, target audience identification, market research, and developing marketing campaigns to reach a wider audience. This one always has a lot of demands because artists, statically in general, are not very good at marketing.
2)Art Entrepreneurship: such as financial management for individual artists for budgeting, pricing artwork, negotiating contracts, and securing funding or grants.
3)Art Market Analysis: positions in the research field or art management to analyze art markets, identify trends, and understand buyer behavior. This information can help artists and galleries make informed decisions about pricing, exhibiting, and marketing their artwork. As you mentioned yourself, there are so many opportunities also in art museums as well.
4)Positions in social science research fields that can inform the development of art education programs and strategies to engage diverse audiences, like studying audience preferences and assessing the impact of art education on individuals and communities through anthropology and sociology, etc. This could be research, fundraising, and business management for art enterprises such as schools or public organizations.
5)Art and Well-being: Social science research can inform art therapy practices, community-based art projects, and the integration of art in healthcare settings. So positions related to art therapy institutions and such if you like to work in research fields.
6)Collaboration and Partnerships: working with cultural organizations regarding partnerships or public projects with art schools and colleges as a marketing consultor or such.
1)Art Marketing and Promotion: Business strategies that help artists promote their work effectively, such as branding, target audience identification, market research, and developing marketing campaigns to reach a wider audience. This one always has a lot of demands because artists, statically in general, are not very good at marketing.
2)Art Entrepreneurship: such as financial management for individual artists for budgeting, pricing artwork, negotiating contracts, and securing funding or grants.
3)Art Market Analysis: positions in the research field or art management to analyze art markets, identify trends, and understand buyer behavior. This information can help artists and galleries make informed decisions about pricing, exhibiting, and marketing their artwork. As you mentioned yourself, there are so many opportunities also in art museums as well.
4)Positions in social science research fields that can inform the development of art education programs and strategies to engage diverse audiences, like studying audience preferences and assessing the impact of art education on individuals and communities through anthropology and sociology, etc. This could be research, fundraising, and business management for art enterprises such as schools or public organizations.
5)Art and Well-being: Social science research can inform art therapy practices, community-based art projects, and the integration of art in healthcare settings. So positions related to art therapy institutions and such if you like to work in research fields.
6)Collaboration and Partnerships: working with cultural organizations regarding partnerships or public projects with art schools and colleges as a marketing consultor or such.
Updated
Grant’s Answer
Business and the arts has a whole rainbow of possibilities.
Artist management
Venue management (theaters, stadiums, clubs, ...)
Movies always have a "business" side
Auction houses (for a different sort of art)
Museums
Art-focused non-profits and foundations
....
Find the type of "business" work you love to do, and then look to see who is needing that.
Artist management
Venue management (theaters, stadiums, clubs, ...)
Movies always have a "business" side
Auction houses (for a different sort of art)
Museums
Art-focused non-profits and foundations
....
Find the type of "business" work you love to do, and then look to see who is needing that.
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
Character or environment art for a gaming company might not be a bad place to start. Some other options might be skate shops, clothing stores, cafes, or local events.
Updated
Emma’s Answer
I agree with Sophie! Also if you're into the film and TV side of the creative world, we always need more great producers and production managers!
Updated
Gavriella’s Answer
Great answers above! Another option to explore is UI/UX design. UI (user interface) and UX (user experience) encompass the human first approach to product design, often related to websites and mobile apps. Having a businesses background will go a long way in understanding some of the end user frustrations.
Updated
Juliana’s Answer
Hey there! You've already got some fantastic responses, and along those lines, you've essentially built a solid foundation in business and now want to connect it with your love for the arts and creativity. By doing so, you can leverage your business skills to gain entry into various companies known for their artistic and creative focus, such as design and marketing firms. This approach also lets you explore diverse forms of art without limiting yourself to just one specific area. It's wonderful to see you considering your passions at the beginning of your career journey – jobs are definitely more fulfilling when you're enthusiastic about your work!