5 answers
Adelyn
Student
Henderson, Colorado
1
Question
Asked
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How do you start a career in the arts?
How do you start a career in the arts when you don’t know what field you want to go into?
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5 answers
Zahra Babaei
MFA Student
1
Answer
Rochester, New York
Updated
Zahra’s Answer
Hi Adelyn,
When it comes to art, there's a lot to explore. The first thing to figure out is whether you want to be involved in creating art (as an artist), are interested in the business side of art, or prefer art criticism. Writing is also an option, covering areas like curation or art history. Basically, careers in art can be split into academic and non-academic paths. Publishing is an option too, but it usually requires strong connections and a lot of interest because it's not necessarily lucrative right away.
If you're thinking of a career in art as being an artist, there are paths in both academia and outside it. Many people prefer to learn experientially rather than through formal education, but it varies for each person. For example, if you want to approach art critically and understand contemporary art, starting with art history courses might be a good idea. While studying art history may not directly affect your own art, it helps develop a critical and visual perspective that you can apply to your work.
On the other hand, some artists start on their own, experimenting as they go. Some of these artists, like Van Gogh, Henri Rousseau, and Frida Kahlo, have become well-known figures. The time period they lived in played a big role in their development. Contemporary art is more about transferability than sticking to one medium, so its boundaries have expanded a lot.
I recommend starting by reading "The $12 Million Stuffed Shark: The Curious Economics of Contemporary Art". It covers a lot of the discussions about the business side of art, from big art dealers to expensive pieces.
Even if this doesn't fully answer your question, feel free to ask if you have more questions.
When it comes to art, there's a lot to explore. The first thing to figure out is whether you want to be involved in creating art (as an artist), are interested in the business side of art, or prefer art criticism. Writing is also an option, covering areas like curation or art history. Basically, careers in art can be split into academic and non-academic paths. Publishing is an option too, but it usually requires strong connections and a lot of interest because it's not necessarily lucrative right away.
If you're thinking of a career in art as being an artist, there are paths in both academia and outside it. Many people prefer to learn experientially rather than through formal education, but it varies for each person. For example, if you want to approach art critically and understand contemporary art, starting with art history courses might be a good idea. While studying art history may not directly affect your own art, it helps develop a critical and visual perspective that you can apply to your work.
On the other hand, some artists start on their own, experimenting as they go. Some of these artists, like Van Gogh, Henri Rousseau, and Frida Kahlo, have become well-known figures. The time period they lived in played a big role in their development. Contemporary art is more about transferability than sticking to one medium, so its boundaries have expanded a lot.
I recommend starting by reading "The $12 Million Stuffed Shark: The Curious Economics of Contemporary Art". It covers a lot of the discussions about the business side of art, from big art dealers to expensive pieces.
Even if this doesn't fully answer your question, feel free to ask if you have more questions.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
3841
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Dear Adelyn,
Embarking on an Artistic Career Journey
If you're contemplating a career in the arts but are uncertain about the specific area to focus on, there are numerous proactive steps you can take to explore the various options and uncover your artistic passion.
1. Discover Diverse Artistic Domains: Start by investigating a range of artistic areas such as visual arts, performing arts, design, art history, art education, art therapy, curating, among others. Delve into each domain to grasp the potential opportunities and prerequisites they encompass.
2. Create and Experiment: Engage in artistic exploration to identify your inclinations and talents. Experiment with diverse art forms, techniques, and mediums to discern what truly captivates you. This practical approach can assist you in pinpointing your artistic inclinations.
3. Pursue Mentorship and Guidance: Connect with professionals in the arts sector for direction and mentorship. Building relationships with artists, educators, curators, or other art professionals can offer invaluable insights and advice on potential career trajectories.
4. Enroll in Workshops and Classes: Sign up for art workshops, classes, or seminars to enhance your skills and comprehension of various artistic disciplines. These educational ventures can aid in honing your craft and deepening your understanding of different art forms.
5. Participate in Art Events and Exhibitions: Submerge yourself in the art scene by visiting galleries, museums, exhibitions, performances, and other cultural happenings. Witnessing diverse art forms firsthand can stimulate your creativity and widen your viewpoint on potential career opportunities.
6. Intern or Volunteer: Think about volunteering at art institutions or pursuing internships in various artistic environments. Practical exposure can offer invaluable hands-on learning experiences and help you ascertain which segments of the arts industry truly appeal to you.
7. Contemplate Your Interests and Values: Reflect on your personal values, interests, strengths, and goals to align them with potential career paths in the arts. Recognizing what fuels your creativity can steer you towards a gratifying artistic career.
8. Stay Engaged and Informed: Keep abreast of current trends, advancements, and opportunities in the arts sector through publications, websites, social media, and networking events. Staying engaged with the artistic community can help keep your inspiration alive and maintain your connections.
By adhering to these steps and actively probing different paths within the arts sector, you can gradually refine your interests and embark on a fulfilling career journey that aligns with your love for creativity.
Top 3 Credible Sources Used in Crafting this Response:
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) - The BLS furnishes extensive data on various careers within the arts sector, including job prospects, salary scales, educational prerequisites, and industry patterns.
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) - The NEA provides valuable resources on diverse artistic fields, funding avenues for artists, research on the societal impact of arts, and support for aspiring individuals pursuing artistic careers.
College Art Association (CAA) - CAA is a foremost organization committed to promoting the practice of visual arts through advocacy, professional development initiatives, art-related publications, job postings in the arts sector, and networking opportunities for artists.
GOD BLESS!
James Constantine Frangos.
Embarking on an Artistic Career Journey
If you're contemplating a career in the arts but are uncertain about the specific area to focus on, there are numerous proactive steps you can take to explore the various options and uncover your artistic passion.
1. Discover Diverse Artistic Domains: Start by investigating a range of artistic areas such as visual arts, performing arts, design, art history, art education, art therapy, curating, among others. Delve into each domain to grasp the potential opportunities and prerequisites they encompass.
2. Create and Experiment: Engage in artistic exploration to identify your inclinations and talents. Experiment with diverse art forms, techniques, and mediums to discern what truly captivates you. This practical approach can assist you in pinpointing your artistic inclinations.
3. Pursue Mentorship and Guidance: Connect with professionals in the arts sector for direction and mentorship. Building relationships with artists, educators, curators, or other art professionals can offer invaluable insights and advice on potential career trajectories.
4. Enroll in Workshops and Classes: Sign up for art workshops, classes, or seminars to enhance your skills and comprehension of various artistic disciplines. These educational ventures can aid in honing your craft and deepening your understanding of different art forms.
5. Participate in Art Events and Exhibitions: Submerge yourself in the art scene by visiting galleries, museums, exhibitions, performances, and other cultural happenings. Witnessing diverse art forms firsthand can stimulate your creativity and widen your viewpoint on potential career opportunities.
6. Intern or Volunteer: Think about volunteering at art institutions or pursuing internships in various artistic environments. Practical exposure can offer invaluable hands-on learning experiences and help you ascertain which segments of the arts industry truly appeal to you.
7. Contemplate Your Interests and Values: Reflect on your personal values, interests, strengths, and goals to align them with potential career paths in the arts. Recognizing what fuels your creativity can steer you towards a gratifying artistic career.
8. Stay Engaged and Informed: Keep abreast of current trends, advancements, and opportunities in the arts sector through publications, websites, social media, and networking events. Staying engaged with the artistic community can help keep your inspiration alive and maintain your connections.
By adhering to these steps and actively probing different paths within the arts sector, you can gradually refine your interests and embark on a fulfilling career journey that aligns with your love for creativity.
Top 3 Credible Sources Used in Crafting this Response:
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) - The BLS furnishes extensive data on various careers within the arts sector, including job prospects, salary scales, educational prerequisites, and industry patterns.
National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) - The NEA provides valuable resources on diverse artistic fields, funding avenues for artists, research on the societal impact of arts, and support for aspiring individuals pursuing artistic careers.
College Art Association (CAA) - CAA is a foremost organization committed to promoting the practice of visual arts through advocacy, professional development initiatives, art-related publications, job postings in the arts sector, and networking opportunities for artists.
GOD BLESS!
James Constantine Frangos.
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1180
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Adelyn !
Your idea of wanting a career in the broad field of Art is where you begin, so you have the first step, now what to do next is the question. I would encourage you to ask a lot more questions here explaining if you mean fine art or performing art. That would help you with more specific details and beneficial advice. It is awesome that you are drawn towards a creative field of work and you can begin now to explore exactly where you'd like to be.
I would advise one of your first moves for this could be contacting the Arts Council of Henderson County. I would suggest visiting them in person and meet some administrators there and learn more about what they do and their resources. They do have volunteer opportunities so if you get involved in the arts in general, you just may be inspired being around it. I think this opportunity may provide important ideas for you about a career in the arts.
There are some websites that you can go to read about art, too. I have left a link below for All the Arts for All the Kids website. Reading it may inspire some realms of the art world you may like. And you don't have to do just one form of art. You can work in many media and you don't have to pick just one. Many artists that I know paint, draw, weave, sketch portraits and make jewelry. Most artists I know do many types of art.
Check out the Art Students League of Denver (link is below) and also do a search on social media and Meet Up for activities you can be involved in. Meet Up is also a good site to find various art groups and become involved with other artists. I have left that link for you below. Once you make the connections and it's no longer just a thought, you will experience art and discover which forms you'd like to be doing. You don't begin a career, you take the journey towards the career. But it starts with the thoughts you've expressed you already have, so you are on the right track.
Another thing that you can do is to read the Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art website. They also discuss art schools on the website. I left a link below for you. Another way to discover your niche with art is to take art classes at your school. A class in which you have assignments in many forms of art would be great because you can see which type of art you like. Something such as a Studio Art class would be good for that. If your school offers pottery thrown on the potters wheel, take a beginning class in that and see how you like that. You will make your discoveries by doing. There will always be people around to ask questions to, also, so you are not alone in this.
I hope this was helpful and I wish you all the best !
THE ARTS COUNSEL OF HENDERSON COUNTY https://www.acofhc.org/
ALL THE ARTS FOR ALL THE KIDS https://www.allthearts.org/
ART STUDENTS LEAGUE OF DENVER https://asld.org/youth-programs/teen-programs/
FIND GROUPS AND ACTIVITIES CONNECTED TO ART https://www.meetup.com/
Your idea of wanting a career in the broad field of Art is where you begin, so you have the first step, now what to do next is the question. I would encourage you to ask a lot more questions here explaining if you mean fine art or performing art. That would help you with more specific details and beneficial advice. It is awesome that you are drawn towards a creative field of work and you can begin now to explore exactly where you'd like to be.
I would advise one of your first moves for this could be contacting the Arts Council of Henderson County. I would suggest visiting them in person and meet some administrators there and learn more about what they do and their resources. They do have volunteer opportunities so if you get involved in the arts in general, you just may be inspired being around it. I think this opportunity may provide important ideas for you about a career in the arts.
There are some websites that you can go to read about art, too. I have left a link below for All the Arts for All the Kids website. Reading it may inspire some realms of the art world you may like. And you don't have to do just one form of art. You can work in many media and you don't have to pick just one. Many artists that I know paint, draw, weave, sketch portraits and make jewelry. Most artists I know do many types of art.
Check out the Art Students League of Denver (link is below) and also do a search on social media and Meet Up for activities you can be involved in. Meet Up is also a good site to find various art groups and become involved with other artists. I have left that link for you below. Once you make the connections and it's no longer just a thought, you will experience art and discover which forms you'd like to be doing. You don't begin a career, you take the journey towards the career. But it starts with the thoughts you've expressed you already have, so you are on the right track.
Another thing that you can do is to read the Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art website. They also discuss art schools on the website. I left a link below for you. Another way to discover your niche with art is to take art classes at your school. A class in which you have assignments in many forms of art would be great because you can see which type of art you like. Something such as a Studio Art class would be good for that. If your school offers pottery thrown on the potters wheel, take a beginning class in that and see how you like that. You will make your discoveries by doing. There will always be people around to ask questions to, also, so you are not alone in this.
I hope this was helpful and I wish you all the best !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
ian villebrun
Correctional specialist
94
Answers
Mountain Iron, Minnesota
Updated
ian’s Answer
How to Land a Job in the Art Industry: A Comprehensive Guide
Assess your Interests and Skills One of the first steps in embarking on your art career journey is to evaluate your interests and skills. What kind of art do you love? ...
Research Art Industry Career Paths ...
Obtain Relevant Education ...
Gain Experience Through Internships ...
Build a Strong Portfolio ...
Network with Art Industry Professionals ...
Apply for Art Industry Jobs ...
Prepare for Art Industry Job Interviews
Assess your Interests and Skills One of the first steps in embarking on your art career journey is to evaluate your interests and skills. What kind of art do you love? ...
Research Art Industry Career Paths ...
Obtain Relevant Education ...
Gain Experience Through Internships ...
Build a Strong Portfolio ...
Network with Art Industry Professionals ...
Apply for Art Industry Jobs ...
Prepare for Art Industry Job Interviews
Laura Mills
Graphic Designer
37
Answers
Lenhartsville, PA
Updated
Laura’s Answer
Hello Adelyn,
What a great question! I know it can be very overwhelming when it comes to wanting to start a career in the arts but not knowing what fields would be suited for something you want to pursue. The good news is you have an extensive range of options for starting a career in the arts.
Some obvious ones would be art teacher/professor, photographer, artist, or illustrator. I called these choices obvious because they are more known job paths within the art career field. Other options can also, include graphic designer, motion designer (similar to animator), interior designer, fashion designer, art therapist, video editor, art consultant, art director, architect, video game designer, actor, dancer, etc. There are many more possibilities, and if you want more examples, I recommend Google search 'fields in the arts' or 'careers in the arts'.
The best way to get started for a career in that job path is to ask people you know or local businesses that have those jobs you're interested in and to see if you can job shadow someone for a bit. Job shadowing is a great way to get a taste of what it is like to work in that career field before actually stepping into that specific career yourself. After job shadowing different careers in the arts, you can decide if it is something you want to continue pursuing. Next, I would recommend starting learning everything you can on your own about the career you are choosing to pursue then if you are interested maybe think about taking some classes online or from a community college to keep learning about your chosen career. If you keep learning about that particular career, you can try to see if you can get an internship with someone to get experience. Potentially, that internship could lead you to a full-time position in a positive scenario, but if it doesn't, keep trying to apply to places for a job and pursue your dreams.
I hope this helps and gives you an idea of where to start and maybe even explore some career options that interest you; I wish you the best of luck in what you decide to do!
-Laura Mills
What a great question! I know it can be very overwhelming when it comes to wanting to start a career in the arts but not knowing what fields would be suited for something you want to pursue. The good news is you have an extensive range of options for starting a career in the arts.
Some obvious ones would be art teacher/professor, photographer, artist, or illustrator. I called these choices obvious because they are more known job paths within the art career field. Other options can also, include graphic designer, motion designer (similar to animator), interior designer, fashion designer, art therapist, video editor, art consultant, art director, architect, video game designer, actor, dancer, etc. There are many more possibilities, and if you want more examples, I recommend Google search 'fields in the arts' or 'careers in the arts'.
The best way to get started for a career in that job path is to ask people you know or local businesses that have those jobs you're interested in and to see if you can job shadow someone for a bit. Job shadowing is a great way to get a taste of what it is like to work in that career field before actually stepping into that specific career yourself. After job shadowing different careers in the arts, you can decide if it is something you want to continue pursuing. Next, I would recommend starting learning everything you can on your own about the career you are choosing to pursue then if you are interested maybe think about taking some classes online or from a community college to keep learning about your chosen career. If you keep learning about that particular career, you can try to see if you can get an internship with someone to get experience. Potentially, that internship could lead you to a full-time position in a positive scenario, but if it doesn't, keep trying to apply to places for a job and pursue your dreams.
I hope this helps and gives you an idea of where to start and maybe even explore some career options that interest you; I wish you the best of luck in what you decide to do!
-Laura Mills