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Art Theory & Practice

Industry Areas

Here are examples of industry areas students enter with this major, jobs/internships, typical employers that hire students, skills employers look for, and examples of where alumni work.  To find more information make an appointment with your career counselor/advisor.

Industry Areas for Art Theory and Practice
Industry|Employers
Job/Roles
Skills
Alumni

Museums and Galleries
(Museums/
Galleries &
Auction Houses)

Art Museums:

  • University
  • Public
  • Private

Archives
Historical societies
Natural history museums
Living history museums
Galleries
Community centers
Auction houses

Art Direction
Administration
Curatorial
Conservation
Restoration
Registrar
Collections Management
Exhibit Design/Preparation
Archive Management
Education
Tours
Sales
Publications
Development
Public Relations
Historian

strong interpersonal skills
attention to detail
ability to multitask
organizational skills
time management
verbal and written communication
ability to work collaboratively in a team environment

American Gallery, Owner
Indianapolis Museum of Art, Curator of Contemporary Art

Fine Arts and Crafts
(Illustration)

Self-employed
Studios
Living history museums and historical sites
School and community programs
Colleges and universities

Glass
Ceramics
Textiles
Printmaking
Multi-Media
Fibre
Painting
Sculpture
Illustration
Film
Performance
Installation
Video

advanced verbal and written communication
detailed oriented
technology and social media skills
time management
analytical skills
interpersonal skills
negotiation skills
project management skills

Elizabeth Addison Cates, Fine Artist- Print Maker

Design
(Digital Arts/Graphic Design)

Advertising agencies
Public relation agencies
Design firms
Company marketing departments
Publishing companies:

  • Magazines
  • Newspapers
  • Books

Department stores
Television and motion picture industry
Manufacturing firms
Greeting card companies
Internet media companies
Self-employed
Large corporations
Governmental agencies
Universities

Graphic Art
Motion Design
Web Design
Graphic Novels
Illustration
Story Boards
Advertising
Medical and Scientific Illustration
Typography
Animation
Art Direction
Logo/Branding
Design:

  • Advertisement
  • Magazine
  • Layout
  • Book
  • Packaging
  • Stationary
  • Wallpaper

advanced verbal and written communication
detailed oriented
technology and social media skills
time management
analytical skills
interpersonal skills
negotiation skills
project management skills

The Field Museum, Graphic Designer

Education

K-12 schools, public and private
Universities and colleges
Art schools
Adult and community programs
Museums
Recreation centers
Libraries
Group homes

Formalized Instruction
Recreational Instruction
Research (Art History)
Art Curriculum Writing

K-12: 

  • Coordination
  • public speaking
  • critical thinking
  • writing
  • social perceptiveness
  • complex problem solving.

Higher Ed:

  • Research
  • Writing
  • critical thinking
  • judgment and decision making
  • presentations

The Arts Center of Highland Park, Artist - Art Teacher
Monticello High School, Art Teacher
U .S. Department of Education, Education Program Specialist

Art Therapy

Hospitals
Nursing homes
Mental health facilities
Rehabilitation centers
Nonprofit organizations
Community agencies and centers
Schools, colleges, and universities
Correctional facilities
Domestic violence and homeless shelters
Art studios
Private practice

Art Therapy

strong interpersonal skills
attention to detail
ability to multitask
organizational skills
time management
verbal and written communication
ability to work collaboratively in a team environment

Cumberland Institute of Holistic Therapy, Admin Dir/Co-Owner
Yeonse Junior Psychiatric Mental Health Clinic, Art Therapist

Media
(Journalism)

Newspapers
Magazines
Websites
Book publishers
Studios

Journalism:

  • Production
  • Design
  • Art Criticism
  • Editing

Art Direction
Sales
Programming
Video
Illustration
Animation
Story Board
Film
Social Media
Digital Imaging and Editing

advanced verbal and written communication
flexibility and versatility
ability to research and think critically
strong interpersonal  skills
creativity
editing and attention to detail
teamwork
active listening  and interviewing
time management
computer and technical skills (in various forms of electronic media)         

Google, Inc., Media Operations Coordinator

Photography


Museums
Newspapers
Magazines
Websites
Photo agencies
Studios
Libraries
Large corporations
Self-employed
Venues

Fine Arts
News
Commercial and Industrial
Portrait
Nature
Scientific
Journalism
Food
Underwater
Weddings/Events
Fashion

strong interpersonal skills
attention to detail
ability to multitask
organizational skills
time management
verbal and written communication
ability to work collaboratively in a team environment

Kate Bader Photography, Photography/ Art

Art Sales

Self-employed
Dealers
Galleries
Museums
Auction houses
Specialty stores

Appraisal: Art and Estate
Sales
Antiques Dealing
Art Authentication
Public Relations

strong interpersonal skills
attention to detail
ability to multitask
organizational skills
time management
verbal and written communication
ability to work collaboratively in a team environment

Jet Lithocolor, VP, Sales
Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Retail Staff

·        

Fashion, Textile, Interior Design
(Architecture & Design)

Fabric manufacturers, printers, and converters
Print design studios
Garment suppliers
Retailers

Fashion Design
Fashion Product Development
Entrepreneurship
Colorists
Stylists
Fabric Development
Surface Design
Management
Buying
Tapestry
2D, 3D, and 4D Product Design

Problem-solving
Curiosity, willingness to learn
Interpersonal skills, team-player
Creativity and innovation
Communication (written & verbal)
Ability to think on your feet
Work well under pressure and meet deadlines
Planning abilities
Attention to detail
Organization
Initiative
Entrepreneurial
An eye for trends

Shank & Gray Architects, Designer
Snowflake Gardening, Owner
Self-employed, Interior Designer
Rodrigo Corral Design, Studio Manager

Retail

Department Stores
Mass merchandise
Specialty stores
Health, grocery, electronics, sporting goods, garden, home furnishing
Online retailers

Buying/Purchasing
Product Development
Planning and Allocation
Global Sourcing
Management
Sales
Human Resources
Visual Merchandising
Non-store retailing (online retailers, home Shopping)

Problem-solving
Curiosity, willingness to learn
Interpersonal skills, team-player
Creativity and innovation
Communication (written & verbal)
Ability to think on your feet
Work well under pressure and meet deadlines
Planning abilities
Attention to detail
Organization
Initiative
Entrepreneurial
An eye for trends

Book Cellar, Book Seller
Macys
H & M
Target
Sears Holding Corporation
Apple
Nike
Microsoft

Nonprofit

Local and national nonprofit agencies

  • Arts Education Partnership
  • National Arts Education Association
  • Americans for the Arts

Foundations

  • International Child Art Foundation
  • Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts

Trade or professional associations
Special interest groups
Libraries
Museums:

  • University
  • Public
  • Private

Historic sites, e.g. The Biltmore, Mount Vernon
Historical societies

Administration
Management
Public Relations
Development
Research
Grant Writing
Direct Service

Creativity
Multi-tasking
Interpersonal
Time Management
Service Orientation
Writing
Social
Perceptiveness                      
Enthusiasm & knowledge for the cause

Women of Reform Judaism, Manager, Department of Marketing & Communications

Performance

Performing arts companies:

  • Dance
  • Theatre
  • Opera
  • Touring

Broadway
Off broadway
Recording industry
Television and motion picture industries and studios:

  • Television shows
  • Commercials
  • Movies
  • Music videos

Amusement and recreation venues:

  • Theme parks
  • Cruise ships
  • Resorts
  • Casinos
  • Restaurants
  • Sporting events

Self-employed/freelance work
Orchestras:

  • Philharmonic, symphony, and chamber

Armed Forces bands and orchestras
Opera companies
Musical theaters

Ballet
Modern
Jazz
Tap
Hip-Hop
Theater Dance
Culturally-Specific Dance
Instrumental
Vocal

strong interpersonal skills
attention to detail
ability to multitask
organizational skills
time management
verbal and written communication
ability to work collaboratively in a team environment

Popular Industries (According to LinkedIn)

  • Arts and Design (25%)
  • Education (18%)
  • Media and Communication (16%)
  • Entrepreneurship (11%)
  • Marketing (8%)
  • Consulting (8%)

Professional Associations