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Artists

Artists use a variety of materials and artistic techniques such as design, sculpting or painting to convey their ideas and their perspective of the world around them. They use materials like watercolor, pastels, oils, pens, pencils, or virtualization via computers to create art.

Schools and Degrees

The field of art is very broad with many specialties which may be utilized in jobs such as architecture, teaching, performance, design and craftsmanship. Those who wish to work as art directors or animators usually obtain a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. Craft and fine artists do not have to possess a degree, however, it is becoming difficult to achieve the skill levels required to find employment without training. Therefore artists are increasingly choosing bachelor's or master's degree granting programs in fine art that are offered by most colleges and universities. Aspiring candidates may also opt for the post secondary programs in the fine or multimedia arts offered by independent art schools. These programs usually are more 'hands-on' and require more studio work compared with traditional art history centered curricula. Individuals who intend to work as medical illustrators may choose degree courses that offer exposure and training in the depiction of living organisms and medical procedures, along with more traditional art techniques.

Job Requirements

Along with proficiency in their own field of work, these creative workers also have to be enterprising to be successful because they are responsible for creating and marketing their portfolios to build their reputation. They must have good communication skills, especially if they wish to work as museum curators, art critics, or teachers. If they wish to work as cartoonists, they also require comic and critical prowess.

Nature of Work

Artists may be classified into four categories. They may work as Art Directors, Fine Artists, Multimedia Artists, or Craft Artists.

Directors of art usually work for companies or other production institutions and are responsible for creating the design concepts and determining presentation approaches. They provide instructions to the professionals who actually create the artwork for various projects. They ensure that there is unity in the visual aspect of a project even if numerous people are working on it.

Fine artists usually specialize in a traditional art field like painting, sculpting, or illustrating. They may either be commissioned to create an artwork or may create according to their wishes and then sell their work. These professionals may also be cartoonists or work under cartoonists. They may also work as sketch artists. Sketch artists are often employed by law enforcement agencies to create facial composites.

Multimedia artists usually work in the advertising or motion picture industry to create the still or animated images for different types of motion pictures. They often work on computerized design workstations and must understand this technology.

Usually craft artists use materials as diverse as wood, textiles, ceramics, paper, and metal to create objects of art which they sell at crafts fairs and online.

Job Numbers and Growth

How many artists are there? About 14,000 in all. Workers can most likely expect a low rate of unemployment. Note that 4% of employees were without work in 2008.

Area Job Conditions

Washington (District of Columbia), Boulder (Colorado), and Colorado Springs (Colorado) boast the most artists for their size population. Seattle (Washington), Warren (Michigan), and St. Louis (Missouri) have the fewest.

The highest salaries for workers are in and around Newark (New Jersey), Bethesda (Maryland), and Atlanta (Georgia). The lowest-paying areas are Boulder (Colorado), Warren (Michigan), and San Diego (California).

Training and Education

Expect to get long-term on-the-job training for this occupation. The share of artists with a bachelor's degree or higher is 58%. About 29% of workers got additional education after high school, but did not have to get a college degree. There was no need to go beyond high school for 14% of employees. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career.

Part-Time Work and Self-Employment

It is estimated that 23% of artists work less than full time. Self-employment is the choice of 40% of workers.

Artists by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)

In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.

California

Colorado

District of Columbia

Georgia

Illinois

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Missouri

Nevada

New Jersey

New York

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Virginia

Washington

Wisconsin