Even artists can find jobs.
Many people with a creative nature decide to pursue a career in the arts. But these jobs can be hard to find, and most positions have great competition. Finding jobs in the arts requires networking, education and a great deal of motivation. Many jobs start off as temporary or volunteer work, but for those who are dedicated to an arts career, these positions can someday turn into good jobs.
Instructions
1. Apply to art schools that offer strong programs in your field. Artists can come from any background, but a bachelor's degree in your art-related field will make you look more serious to employers than candidates with alternative degrees. Going to art school gives you the opportunity to make connections and expand your networking, which will make your chances of finding a job much greater.
2. Go out to events in your field. Attend receptions at galleries if you are a painter or sculptor, or go to plays or shows if you are in the performing arts. Make friends and network with people who have jobs in the arts, because they will let you know when they hear of opportunities for employment.
3. Search the local classified ads, or look nationally if you are willing to relocate for the right job. Check the art/media/design section under jobs on Craigslist often to submit your resume and portfolio as quickly as possible. Search through sites like Idealist.org to find a job in your field. Expand your job searching to include New York City, the center of the visual and performing arts worlds. Search for jobs on NYFA.org, the website for the New York Foundation for the Arts, to find jobs in the New York City area.
4. Submit your portfolio and resume to art schools around the country to find teaching jobs. Keep in mind that you will need either a master's degree in your field, a Ph.D. or a long list of shows, residencies and grants on your resume to land a job in academia.
5. Contact the human resources department at art museums around the country. Find out what openings they have in what departments. Ask what qualifications are required, and if you do not match the job, they may have an entry-level position that will get you started.
6. Intern or volunteer with an organization related to your field. Ask gallery directors or photographers if they need an assistant. Proving yourself as a dedicated volunteer can turn your position into actual employment.
7. Start small and work your way up. Look for temporary jobs and shows with galleries and agencies. As your resume grows, so will your opportunities.
