Art Careers

Artists can typically be categorized into four groups:

  • Art Directors: Art directors develop design concepts for media pieces and oversee the entire creation and production process..
  • Craft Artists: Craft artists hand-make objects, such as candles, tapestries, quilts, and pottery, to be sold or shown..
  • Fine Artists: Fine artists create items such as paintings, sculpture, and illustrations that are often displayed in museums and galleries..
  • Multimedia Artists: Multimedia artists create images for film, video and other forms of electronic media..

In 2004, 64% of artists were self-employed, but many find work with museums, galleries, schools, advertising agencies, magazines, newspapers, and movie studios. Through 2014, employment opportunities are expected to grow as fast as average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), though competition in all art and design fields is generally quite keen. The outlook is most favorable for multimedia artists as the demand for special effects in movies and television, animation, and video games increases.

Salaries vary greatly for artists. Median earnings for salaried artists in May 2004 ranged from $23,520 for craft artists to $63,840 for art directors. Freelance artists, however, do not have a steady salary and must work to ensure a constant stream of income.

  1. Accessory Designer
  2. Advertising Director
  3. Aerial Photographer
  4. Airbrush Artist
  5. Antique Specialist
  6. Appliqé Artist
  7. Archaeologist
  8. Architect
  9. Architectural Graphic Artist
  10. Architectural Writer/Critic
  11. Architecture Teacher
  12. Art Activity Writer
  13. Art Appraiser
  14. Art Book Editor
  15. Art Consultant
  16. Art Coordinator
  17. Art Critic
  18. Art Dealer
  19. Art Director
  20. Art Distributor
  21. Art Historian
  22. Art Insurance Agent
  23. Art Librarian
  24. Art Magazine Editor
  25. Art Researcher
  26. Art Restorer
  27. Art Specialist
  28. Art Supervisor
  29. Art Teacher
  30. Art Teacher Assistant
  31. Art Therapist
  32. Artist in Residence
  33. Artists' Agent
  34. Audio/Visual Designer
  35. Automobile Designer
  36. Background Artist (TV)
  37. Bank Note Designer
  38. Basket Maker
  39. Block Engraver
  40. Book Jacket Designer
  41. Bookbinder
  42. Botanical Designer
  43. Calendar Editor
  44. Calligrapher
  45. Camera Operator
  46. Candle Maker
  47. Caricaturist
  48. Cartographer (mapmaker)
  49. Cartoonist
  50. Ceramicist
  51. Children's Book Illustrator
  52. Cinematographer
  53. Comic Strip Artist
  54. Commercial Photographer
  55. Computer Graphic Artist
  56. Conceptual Artist
  57. Copywriter
  58. Corporate Art Collector
  59. Corporation Photographer
  60. Costume Designer
  61. Court Artist
  62. Curator
  63. Curriculum Writer (Art)
  64. Design Consultant
  65. Designer
  66. Drafter
  67. Editorial Art Director
  68. Editorial Illustrator
  69. Enamellist
  70. Environmental Artist
  71. Environmental Designer
  72. Environmental Planner
  73. Equipment Designer
  74. Exhibition Coordinator
  75. Fabric Designer
  76. Fashion Art Director
  77. Fashion Consultant
  78. Fashion Display Director
  79. Fashion Editor/Writer
  80. Fashion Illustrator
  81. Fashion Merchandiser
  82. Fashion Photographer
  83. Faux Finish Specialist
  84. Film Animator
  85. Film Developer
  86. Film Editor
  87. Filmmaker
  88. Fine Art Photographer
  89. Fine Artist
  90. Floor Covering Designer
  91. Floral Designer
  92. Forensic Artist
  93. Foundry Worker
  94. Furniture Designer
  95. Gallery Assistant
  96. Gallery Director
  97. Gallery Owner
  98. Gallery Photographer
  99. Gem Cutter
  100. Glass Blower
  101. Goldsmith
  102. Graphic Arts Technician
  103. Greeting Card Designer
  104. Hair Stylist Designer
  1. Heavy Equipment Designer
  2. Illustrator
  3. Industrial Designer
  4. Interior Decorator
  5. Interior Designer
  6. Jewelry Maker/Designer
  7. Lace Maker
  8. Landscape Designer
  9. Law Enforcement Photographer
  10. Lawyer with Art Specialty
  11. Leatherworker
  12. Legal Photographer
  13. Lighting Designer
  14. Lithographer
  15. Lithographic Photographer
  16. Magazine Art Director
  17. Magazine Photographer
  18. Makeup Artist
  19. Manufacturer of Art Materials
  20. Manuscript Illuminator
  21. Marine Architect
  22. Master Printer
  23. Medical Illustrator
  24. Metalsmith
  25. Model Builder
  26. Mold Maker
  27. Movie Art Director
  28. Movie Scene Painter
  29. Mural Artist
  30. Museum Curator
  31. Museum Director
  32. Museum Photographer
  33. Museum Photographer
  34. Musical Instrument Maker
  35. Ornamental Metalwork Designer
  36. Painter
  37. Papermaker
  38. Parade Float Designer
  39. Patternmaker
  40. Photo Researcher
  41. Photo Re-Toucher
  42. Photo Stylist
  43. Photofinisher Specialist
  44. Photographer
  45. Photographic Engineer
  46. Photography Teacher
  47. Picture Framer
  48. Photojournalist
  49. Playground Designer
  50. Police/Court Artist
  51. Portrait Painter or Photographer
  52. Poster Artist
  53. Potter
  54. Press Photographer
  55. Printmaker
  56. Private Art Instructor
  57. Product Designer
  58. Product Illustrator
  59. Product Photographer
  60. Promotion Designer
  61. Puppet Designers
  62. Puppeteer
  63. Quick Sketch Artist
  64. Retail Store Art Director
  65. Rug Maker
  66. Scenic Artist
  67. School Photographer
  68. Science Fiction Illustrator
  69. Sculptor
  70. Set Construction Worker
  71. Showroom Manager
  72. Sign Painter
  73. Silk Screen Artist
  74. Silversmith
  75. Sketch Artist
  76. Space Planner
  77. Special Effects Artists
  78. Sports Clothing Designer
  79. Sports Equipment Designer
  80. Stage Design
  81. Stained Glass Maker
  82. Stencil Illustrator
  83. Storyboard Illustrator
  84. Tapestry Worker
  85. Tattoo Artist
  86. Teachers Aide
  87. Technical Illustrator
  88. Television Art Director
  89. Television Graphic Artist
  90. Text Book Illustrator
  91. Textile Artist
  92. Theatre Set Designer
  93. Theme Park Designer
  94. Tool Designer
  95. Toy Designer
  96. Typographer
  97. Video Artist
  98. Wall Covering Designer
  99. Transportation Designer
  100. Wardrobe Staff
  101. Web Site Designer
  102. Window Display Designer
  103. Wood Crafter
  104. Workshop Coordinator