How to Become an Artist

You may not think that a college degree is required to become an artist. After all, it’s easy to assume that someone either has a natural talent or doesn’t.

It’s true that people need a certain level of innate artistic talent to be successful in this field, but even the most talented artists can benefit from an art degree.

“College just looks better on your resume, whether you’re a freelance artist or employed by a company,” says Maegan Shipp, a freelance graphic designer and art teacher in Lowell, Michigan. She earned a bachelor’s degree in animation with a specialization in 3D art modeling from Southwest University of Visual Arts in Arizona.

Studying art in college not only introduces you to new techniques and helps you hone your skills, but also allows you to build a portfolio and make connections that can lead to better earning opportunities. “You’re taken absolutely more seriously,” says Shipp.

Read on to learn more about becoming an artist and what to expect from this career.

How do I know if becoming an artist is right for me?

Although it may seem obvious, to be successful as an artist, you have to love creating art. You should also have a natural gift for your medium.

“You have to be artistic,” Shipp notes.

If you are unsure whether you have the aptitude or interest to pursue art as a career, give art instruction a try before enrolling in a degree program. For example, high school students can explore a variety of mediums through their school’s art department, while adults can find community education classes through local arts councils or even community colleges.

Aside from enjoying art, you should be content with the idea that you might be working for yourself. According to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, 58% of art and visual artists and 63% of special effects artists and animators are self-employed. This means these artists either work on a freelance basis, on a contract basis, or create art that they can sell directly to consumers.

While many people like the freedom of self-employment, it’s not for everyone. If you’d rather work as an employee rather than a contractor, research what job opportunities are available in your field before committing to becoming an artist.

how to become an artist

Unlike professions such as teaching and nursing, there is no set path to becoming an artist. Some people are self-taught and eschew formal education, while others choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree in art.

“I think you have to do a lot more legwork when you don’t have a degree,” says Shipp.

Art courses can teach you how to be a better artist, as well as provide network connections, career advice or mentoring. As part of an arts program, you’ll also build a portfolio that you can use to demonstrate your skills and farm work after graduation.

For those planning to sell their art directly to consumers, art majors may be able to take business courses in college that can help them set prices, market their work, and complete other tasks. However, if you plan to work internally for a company, many employers will require an art degree.

Even before enrolling in a program, students are required to create a portfolio that can be used in the college admissions process. Attending classes in high school or at local arts organizations may be the best way to create a collection of work to show to colleges and universities.

“I would fill [high school electives] with all the art classes on offer,” says Shipp. “The more versatile you are, the better.” Then, once you get into college, you can focus on your preferred medium or specialization.

Training opportunities: How long can you become an artist

The question of how long it takes to become an artist is an understandable question and depends on the arts program you choose. Some community colleges offer an associate degree in fine arts that can be completed in two years. More common, however, is a four-year bachelor’s degree.

“You’re going to be spending a lot of time in your studio classroom,” says Shipp, but adds that students should expect to take some non-art classes as well. Psychology, Basic Mathematics and History were some of the courses she had to complete in order to graduate.

At the University of Nevada, Reno, a bachelor’s degree in art includes a minimum of 12 credit hours in studio art and 12 credit hours in art history. In addition, the University’s Art Department offers the following specializations:

• art history
• Book and publication art
• pottery
• Digital media
• drawing
• graphic design
• painting
• photography and videography
• printmaking
• sculpture

Another option is a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. This interdisciplinary program encourages students to be creative and explore a variety of specializations.

A comprehensive approach to arts education worked well for Shipp when she graduated. While she always dreamed of becoming an animator for Disney, after graduating she married and moved to the Midwest to be closer to family. Although there were no animation studios nearby, she was able to use the graphic design skills she learned at school to land an in-house job at a fundraising firm.

“Every business needs some kind of graphic design and marketing,” she says. Gaining experience in a variety of specializations has allowed Shipp to use her degree in ways she didn’t initially expect.

careers in art

By the time you graduate, you should have extensive practical experience in your area of ​​interest. Hopefully, you’ve also made contacts with professionals who can help you get started in the workforce. Ultimately, however, careers in art largely depend on the artist themselves and their ability to land artist jobs.

“You have to be your own advocate,” says Shipp. She thinks working as a successful artist is a realistic goal, but one that requires effort. “You can get there. It just depends on how much work you put into it.”

Across all disciplines, self-employment is the path that the majority of artistic professions take. If you’d rather not be self-employed, here’s where else artists work, according to the BLS:

• 12% of special effects artists and animators are employed in the film and video industry.
• 11% of art directors are employed in advertising, public relations and related services.
• 9% of graphic designers are employed by specialty design services.
• 8% of artisans and visual artists are employed by independent artists, writers and artists.

Regardless of which path you take, industry organizations like the College Art Association, the National Association of Independent Artists, and local arts councils may all have resources to help you on your path to success.

future of the artist profession

While some warnings have been sounded about the potential takeover of commercial artist jobs by artificial intelligence, particularly in the digital media space, the BLS expects the artistic professions to continue to grow in the years to come.

From 2021 to 2031, the government agency expects employment growth from 3% for graphic designers to 6% for crafts and visual artists. Although technology can become part of the artistic process – from using 3D printers to AI-rendered images – a machine is unlikely to be able to replace the creativity or imagination that a human artist brings to their work .

If you love art and dream of making it a career, don’t be afraid to pursue a career in this field. Explore your study opportunities and speak to an admissions coordinator to take the first step toward becoming an artist today.