An art education degree can lead to a number of different careers in the arts. Here are just a few of the many employment opportunities available to those who pursue such degrees.
Art Teacher
Art teachers work in elementary, middle, and high schools. Teachers often relish the opportunity to help students develop their own creative skills by introducing them to the countless disciplines in the vast world of arts.
In order to become an art teacher, you will need to complete a teaching certification program in addition to your degree in art education.
Gallery Owner
If you have a passion for art and want to be involved in the business side of things, you might consider opening your own art gallery. Gallery owners buy and sell artwork, working with established and up-and-coming artists alike. You decide what’s worth your clients’ attention and which artists deserve acclaim.
Although an art education degree isn’t a requirement for owning a gallery, learning to teach others to appreciate the finer details of a piece translates directly into sales acumen. To succeed as a gallery owner, you’ll want to develop your business skills.
Art Therapist
Art therapists use art as a way to help people deal with mental health issues, trauma, and other challenges. For countless people, art provides the opportunity to organize, understand, and release emotions in ways that eclipse other options. Many who choose this path discover that helping others find relief while simultaneously creating beauty can be even more rewarding than pursuing recognition for one’s own art.
Art therapists may work with individuals, groups, or families, and often have a background in psychology or counseling in addition to their art education degree.
Art Conservator
Art conservators work to preserve artwork, whether it is in a museum setting or a private collection. They are responsible for cleaning and repairing works of art, as well as preserving the condition of collections. Several mediums degrade over time in even the most pristine environments. Such fragile pieces of work pose the greatest and most rewarding challenges to art conservators.
Pursuing this line of work may also lead you into research concerning the history of a piece, the materials used in its composition, and any other details that might aid you in extending the work’s life. If you are interested in this career, you will need to complete a graduate program in art conservation.
