Careers in Art Education: How an Art Education Degree Benefits You?
An art education degree benefits people of all ages, jobs, and cultures. According to study findings published in US News, students who receive art education in school experience lower stress levels and higher engagement rates. Additionally, they develop improved interpersonal skills and focus and show improvement in academics. From a cultural perspective, art provides enriching experiences that foster more creative and intellectual curiosity. Furthermore, students can choose numerous careers in art education after graduation.
If you are passionate about making a difference through art, pursuing an art education degree could be rewarding. Let’s explore the diverse careers in art education you can pursue after this degree.
Top Careers in Art Education
An art education degree offers a wide range of career options. Here are some of the key paths you can take:
1. Museum and Gallery Roles
Are you interested in entering the museum world? Earning an art degree, whether it’s an art therapy degree or an art education certificate, could be your pathway.
The museum industry offers numerous career options, including roles such as administrators, exhibit builders, artists, IT professionals, and educators. Schools across the country frequently organize field trips to museums, providing students with interactive learning experiences in art history, techniques, and innovation.
With an art education degree, you could take on various roles within a museum, such as:
- Leading museum tours
- Teaching art (and art history) classes to students
- Serving as a gallery assistant
- Assisting in art restoration
- Engaging in museum curation
- Developing education programs
- Managing the museum’s website
Upon gaining sufficient experience and resources, you might have the opportunity to open your own gallery or arts center. Securing grants would be essential for any such future endeavors.
2. Art Therapist
Art therapy combines art and psychology to help people improve their mental health and well-being. Art therapists work with different groups, including children, adults, and seniors, in various settings such as:
- Hospitals: Use art therapy to help patients cope with illness and recovery.
- Schools: Help students with emotional or behavioral challenges.
- Private Practice: Offer individual or group therapy sessions to clients.
Educational therapy is another interesting (and related) path to consider.
An educational therapist advocates for students who need more customized educational approaches, which often include hands-on instruction like art. You would meet with school administrators and teachers to develop custom schedules that help students reach their full potential.
3. Art Teacher
Teaching art at different levels is a common and fulfilling career for art education graduates. You can inspire future artists by teaching in:
- Elementary Schools
- High Schools
- Colleges and Universities
Art schools, in particular, offer many ways to deliver an enriching art-informed education, such as:
- Art history
- Drawing and painting
- Sculpture
- Experimental art
- The art of cinema
- Creative storytelling
- Performance art
Your educational path may guide you toward theater, where you could specialize in designing stage sets and costumes. This journey could even lead you to establish a community theater or production company.
Additionally, cinema is another creative route that requires many artistic minds who can bring exciting ideas to the table.
4. Art Administrator
Art administrators manage the business and logistical aspects of art organizations, such as:
- Galleries: Manage exhibitions and daily operations.
- Cultural Institutions: Plan events, manage memberships, and develop marketing strategies.
5. Freelance Artist or Educator
You can pursue a freelance artist or educator career with an art education degree. As a freelance artist or educator, you can offer:
- Private Art Lessons
- Workshops and Classes (at art studios or online)
- Commissioned Work (custom paintings or sculptures for clients)
Final Thoughts
With an art education degree, you have many career options. You can work in marketing, web design, and other business-related fields. Talk to your advisor about these paths to help plan your future.
Keep learning to improve your skills and stay updated on industry trends to make your resume stand out.
Recommended Articles
We hope that you liked this article on “Careers in Art Education.” For more art and creativity-based articles, refer to the blogs below.
