Art is a powerful tool, and it’s become embedded in cultures all over the world. Because of this, many people hope to make a living by making art. Yet, such a career path can be complicated. Many people leave school with no idea how they can make their artwork into a viable business.
If you’re now learning art in an academic setting, you might want to shift your focus from less important subjects to your major. Whenever you think to yourself: “I wish someone could do homework for me so I could concentrate more on art,” it is better to follow your instincts. All you have to do is find a reliable academic help service, share your homework needs, pick an expert, and relax!
In addition to those who are learning art in an academic setting, there are many individuals who hold full-time jobs and treat art as a hobby. A typical career path for a budding artist may be fraught with rejections and failures. But there are still many jobs that art majors can take on to make money while they try to get their big break in the industry. Here are five commercial art jobs that art majors should consider.
Art Gallery Manager
Artistic jobs aren’t just about painting or sculpting. In fact, there are many jobs that require artistic skills. From gallery management to art restoration, these positions give artists the opportunity to get a foot in the door.
Art gallery managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of an art gallery. They work directly with artists, customers, and employees to ensure that the business is running smoothly. To become an art gallery manager, one usually needs formal training and experience as a gallery employee.
There are three types of sales a gallery manager will make:
- providing information about the artwork;
- selling it;
- offering other related items and services that complement the item.
A gallery manager should also maintain all records related to sales, including receipts and inventory lists.
Art Director
Art directors are the most well-known type of commercial artists because their jobs are very visible in advertisements and other marketing materials. Their main job is to help create a message that will sell a product or service.
The best art directors also need to know how to express their ideas visually in a variety of media like print, digital, 3D, and video. To succeed as an art director, you have to be creative and good with people. You’ll be responsible for planning visual concepts for ads, packaging, and other marketing materials for businesses.
Art directors interact with many people — clients, media buyers and sellers, production departments. Thus, they need strong communication skills. They also should work well under pressure because deadlines are often tight, and the projects take a lot of time and careful planning. If you’re comfortable speaking up about your creative vision, this job is the right one for you!
Art Librarian
Art librarians may be the best-kept secret in the art world. Most people don’t realize that their local art museum has an art librarian among its staff.
What exactly does an art librarian do? A typical day for a librarian might include cataloging a new acquisition, inputting information onto an online database, researching a question posed by a patron, or creating exhibits and programs. Many of the tasks are similar to what any librarian would do.
An art librarian might be responsible for
- overseeing a collection of books or periodicals about art;
- managing artwork in a gallery or storage room;
- arranging exhibitions;
- providing reference services to patrons of the museum or library;
- overseeing archival efforts to maintain the integrity of materials.
As art librarians gain the experience, they may advance into supervisory roles, such as department head or director, for larger institutions.
Museum Curator
Curators preserve and exhibit a collection of works of art. They may be responsible for keeping track of the original location of the pieces and their condition, as well as the financial, legal, and administrative aspects of the collection. If this sounds fun to you, read on!
Curators are generally responsible for the overall organization, care, maintenance, and expansion of a museum’s collections. Educational duties may include lectures and training.
A curator is usually employed by a museum, gallery, or corporation. They are often required to have an advanced degree in fine arts administration or liberal arts with a specialization in art history. Some positions require curators to have advanced degrees in fine arts, such as an MFA or Ph.D. Curators work for colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, and private businesses that display art collections.
In other words, being a museum curator is similar to being an archivist, but the scope of collection and preservation is much greater. To take care of artifacts, you must be knowledgeable and passionate about that particular field – and if you believe you are, start that exciting job hunt!
Art Appraiser
Art appraisers are responsible for determining the value of art, including paintings, sculptures, and other pieces of fine art. They help figure out the cost of each item, as well as its fair market value. The appraiser determines whether a piece of art is not a forgery.
Art appraisers work in a variety of settings, from museums to auction houses to galleries. The job requires expert knowledge of the art world and an understanding of its business side.
Some appraisers start out as part-time freelance appraisers who work with multiple companies. Others work independently and may offer their services online or through advertisements in local papers.
Final Thoughts
Commercial art is a wide industry that includes a variety of different jobs. Whether you’re looking for a part-time job or something full-time, commercial art can be a perfect choice. By taking on one of these five jobs, you can enjoy making art while still having a viable source of income.
Commercial art is always changing and growing, so if you’re up for a challenge, this could be the right career for you.