When considering art education jobs, one should realize that becoming an art teacher is not the only option. If someone pursues a degree in art education, he may find opportunities in schools, museums, galleries, and other outlets such as extracurricular camps. An art educator may teach children or adults of varying abilities. Art education jobs may revolve around many fields, including fine art, the computer arts, and other forms of taught art, such as cosmetology.
Careers in art education are often quite hands-on. Though some are more theoretical in nature, such as art history education or art theory, a majority of such career fields are more physically practical. Grade school art teachers, for example, may teach students the fundamentals of color and texture by using a variety of introductory materials. Students may learn about different paint brushes, canvases, and other tools.
In secondary school, there are even more art education jobs available to those with the proper background. An art educator might teach photography, drawing, pottery, or painting. Once the students get older, they hone in on their interests and skills more and are then able to decide in which art direction they might like to go. In high school or college, the students are able to experiment with different art outlets and see what they like best.
While an art teacher in a school setting needs a bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate, art education jobs in other realms may not necessarily need the degrees. Some people choose to teach art as a hobby in their spare time or as a part-time job. These people might teach art in a summer camp or after-school program.
They may be college students, retired persons or just someone with an interest in teaching art. An art educator needn’t be someone with a master’s degree or doctorate. They just need to have a passion for art, and the ability to teach it.
There are certain art education jobs available, however, for those who have had extensive art training and education. Such careers typically require a degree in art history, archaeology, classic art, arts management, or something similar. A museum curator is one example of such a job. The museum curator is responsible for a museum’s art collections. He must have in-depth knowledge in areas of art, as well as the awareness of how to properly collect, organize and showcase it.
To work at an art gallery, a candidate pursuing such art education jobs should have an interest in both recognizing and selling art. He will be most successful at a gallery if his passion for art easily translates to the gallery’s clients. A candidate may work at a private or public gallery, though public galleries typically exist to both showcase and sell artwork.
Becoming a freelance art consultant is an up-and-coming career, as well. Such consultants may be contracted by companies or single persons to buy art for them. People who wish to buy art but aren’t sure where or how to do so often wish to be educated on the subject before shelling out a large amount of money. An art consultant can educate such clients.
