What Can You Do with an Art Degree?

If you’re the kind of person who loves the creative side of life, then you might have decided to pursue an art degree as part of your higher education plan. Whether you chose to specialise in photography, graphic design, or animation, it’s safe to say that art plays a part in countless lives across the world.

The good news is that if you’re worried about becoming one of those “starving artists” you hear about online, you needn’t be. There are plenty of careers out there for the artistic individual, and here we’re going to look at just some of the things you can do with your education.

Become an Art Critic

If your creative side extends into the realms of the written word, then you might be suited to a career as an art critic. Critics are artistic experts and writers who write in-depth articles about local artworks for magazines, newspapers, and websites. You should have plenty of intensive knowledge about the art industry by the time you’ve finished your degree, so you’re sure to find plenty of ways to express yourself when you encounter a new masterpiece.

Curate Art for a Local Store

Art curators are experts that manage facilities like stores and museums. Often, these professionals will specialise in a specific subject matter. For instance, while some will be connoisseurs of fine art, others will search for unique pieces of urban work for graffiti shops. As a curator, you’ll need to buy, store, and showcase collections, so a degree in management or business can be helpful here too.

Teach Art to Ambitious Students

Just as your art teacher might have motivated you to pursue a career in the creative world, you can do the same thing for other aspiring students. Art teachers come in a range of different styles, all the way from advanced teachers who provide lectures at a college level, to teachers for younger students who simply want to help people explore colour and texture for the first time. Art teachers can also specialise in certain topics like graphic design, ceramics, woodwork, and more.

Sell Fine Art to Collectors

If you’ve got a quick mind and you’re good with people, then you can always put your skills to use as a fine art salesperson. These professionals earn a living by selling paintings, drawings, photographs, and sculptures to collectors and members of the public. As a retailer, you can either launch your own business selling collections that catch your eye or work under a gallery or retail company.  Your education in art will help you to earn employment from higher-end boutiques, and well-paying managers.

Art Therapist

Finally, if your love of art is almost as powerful as your desire to help people live healthier and happier lives, then you could pursue a career as an art therapist. These unique experts use their skills and the creative process to help individuals to deal with a broad range of mental health issues. To truly excel in this space, you’ll need not just a good understanding of art, but also an education that includes instruction on counselling, human development, and therapy. A master’s degree in art therapy will be crucial to getting a good position in the field.