A Palette Of Possibilities: 7 Top Jobs For Art Lovers

Perhaps you have an artistic flair, appreciate those who do, or you’ve trained in the arena of art. Whatever kind of art lover you are, there are plenty of opportunities to turn your passion into an actual job.

Here are our top seven jobs for art lovers like you.

Art Director

If you’re a big-picture type of creative, this may be the perfect job for you. An art director works with artists, designers, photographers, and other creatives to develop artistic concepts. They manage, organise, and oversee creative projects, working on advertising campaigns, theatre productions, film and TV, fashion shows, art exhibitions, video games, and magazines, to name but a few.

Whether you work in the UK or the US, you’ll generally need a relevant degree, for instance, in fine art or design, to work as an art director.

A typical salary range for an art director in the UK is £35,000 to £70,000. In the US, that salary range is $50,000 to $130,000.

Art Curator

If your interest lies in works of art, such as paintings, sculptures, and other art installations, you may be interested in the role of art curator. An art curator manages collections of art. That might be in a museum, art gallery, or private establishment. They design and organise art exhibitions, acquire art pieces, carry out research, and often interact with artists and other creatives.

To work as an art curator in the UK or US, you’ll generally need a relevant degree, for instance, in art history or classical studies.

A typical salary range for an art curator in the UK is £20,000 to £50,000. In the US, that salary range is $40,000 to $150,000.

Art Teacher/Lecturer

If you want to share your love of art by teaching the subject, there is a wide range of available opportunities. You might work in a school, at college or university, in a commercial setting, or as a private tutor. You can find out more about teaching in our education and training career guide.

To work as an art teacher or lecturer, you’ll need a relevant degree and teacher training qualifications. In the UK, that might mean an art degree followed by a postgraduate degree in education (PGCE). In the US, you must have a relevant degree, teacher training qualifications, and hold a teaching license for the state where you want to work.

A typical salary range for a high school art teacher in the UK is £24,000 to £44,000. In the US, that salary range is $43,000 to $88,000.

Graphic Designer

If you want to use your design skills in a commercial environment, graphic designer may be the ideal role. Graphic designers combine images, text, and other elements of design to create a wide range of end products such as posters, marketing leaflets, logos, websites, and packaging. Graphic designers generally use a combination of hand-created art and computer software to create their designs.

A background in art and design is required to work as a graphic designer in the UK. That might be a relevant undergraduate degree, or it could be a higher national diploma in graphic design. Requirements vary, depending on the employer and role. In the US, graphic designer roles generally require a relevant degree.

The salary range for a graphic designer in the UK is £20,000 to £50,000. In the US, that salary range is $31,000 to $93,000.

Illustrator

An illustrator creates images and drawings that express a specific idea or message. They might work on:

• a book cover that draws the reader into the world of the novel
• character designs for an online game
• the packaging of a new skincare product

Key to working as an illustrator is the ability to interpret a concept and communicate that idea or message visually.

To work as an illustrator in the UK or US, you don’t necessarily need to have an art-related degree. However, a background in art and some level of training will always be to your benefit.

The salary range for an illustrator in the UK is £25,000 to £50,000. In the US, a typical salary range is $32,000 to $84,000.

Artist

When you think of working in the world of art, this is probably the main job that comes to mind. Traditionally, an artist creates paintings, sculptures, or drawings, but that might be:

• taking commissions from clients to create works of art
• creating original art from your own imagination to sell
• painting pet portraits
• creating portraits of people who sit for you
• painting murals on interior or exterior walls

There are multiple paths into working as an artist and therefore no set qualifications, other than artistic talent. Many artists work on a self-employed basis so there’s no typical salary range.

Art Therapist

If you want to combine your love for art with a healthcare career, working in art therapy may be just the thing. Art therapists combine psychology and creativity to help their patients heal through self-expression and exploration. Art therapists work in a range of settings including hospitals, schools, prisons, and private practices.

To work as an art therapist in the UK, you’ll need an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject, such as art and design, and a postgraduate degree in art therapy or art psychotherapy. Your postgraduate degree must be approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

In the US, a relevant undergraduate degree and master’s degree in art therapy are required, accompanied by a licence to practise in the state where you work.

In the UK, the salary range for an art therapist is £24,000 to £53,000. In the US, the salary range is $34,000 to $96,000.

Wrapping it up

For many art lovers, it’s enough to enjoy artwork in a gallery, own pieces of art, or create art as a hobby. But if you’re interested in turning your passion for art into a career, there’s a whole host of opportunities open to you.

Start your job search today.