Art Education Degrees: What Are My Career Options?

Learn the Available Career Options for a Graduate with an Art Education Degree

 

The typical outcome of earning a degree in Art Education is teaching Art at a local school. While this is indeed one possibility, there are other career options that you may not have considered. Here are some of the more - and less - obvious career alternatives for someone who has graduated with an Art Education degree:

Teaching Art in a public, private or charter school, K-12 - The most traditional way of using your Art Ed degree, you can apply for a teaching position at a public, private or charter school, for any grades - Kindergarten through high school.

Teaching online - Teachers tend to forget about the existence of online schools; however, 'virtual education' has become a huge trend in recent years - and yes, some of these virtual schools do hire art teachers. Research the online schools in your state and see what employment positions are available for someone with an Art Education degree.

Teaching preschool (or daycare) - You may not realize it, but in many states, your multi-age teaching license actually endorses you to teach students from preschool through age 21. Consider the option of applying to teach at a preschool or daycare facility, where your creative skills and art background will be much appreciated.

Teaching private lessons to adults or kids - Why conform to an existing school regiment, when you can set your own schedule teaching private Art lessons in your own home or studio? Be warned, teaching private Art lessons can take a lot of advertising, word-of-mouth, and can be slow to start - but many teachers can eventually build a core group of devoted students if they're motivated.

Teaching Art at an after-school program - There are plenty of organizations that work on keeping kids off the streets and involving them in worthwhile activities and further learning. Research local facilities and after-school programs in your area; some of them are purely art-based, while others may be well-rounded programs.

Running education program and teaching classes at art museums - Art Education degree-holders are sought out by Art museums, large and small. Many community, as well as large metropolitan, art galleries seek Art Ed graduates to teach classes both for children and adults - throughout the year, for summer camps, weekend classes or special events. If you've taught at a museum and gotten your foot in the door, there is also a chance you could apply for the position of Education Director (most Art museums have this position).

Starting your own non-profit arts organization - Then again, why apply to work for someone else when you can be self-employed? With your background in Art Education, you can start your own non-profit arts organization - whether it relates to teaching, public artworks, or arts advocacy. Prior to planning the details, research your state's guidelines.

Teaching at non-traditional organizations - Although these alternatives might be volunteer positions, consider asking these non-traditional organizations if you could teach occasional Art classes: assisted living homes, senior centers, juvenile detention centers, homeless shelters, pregnancy resource centers, women's shelters and others.

Be a guest artist - Send out brochures and notices advertising your expertise in a specialized Art discipline (make sure you are an expert in the field), or a particular impressive lesson you teach. Spread the word to schools and local Art teachers, as well as youth groups, boy and girl scouts, 4-H clubs, etc.

Tutoring - Although this may not be a position involving Art, as a licensed teacher with an Art Education degree you are qualified to tutor students in all grade levels, no matter the subject.

Teaching assistant - With your Education degree (and most likely your license), you are also qualified to work as a teacher's assistant in a local school.

Substitute teaching - Although substitute teaching is never the first option on a teacher's list, for someone with an Art Education degree, substituting is a way to get your foot in the door and make contacts with administrators and other teachers - as well as practice your classroom management.

Fine artist - You have a degree in Art Education - you are qualified to teach and you have a background in Art. Harness your creative talent, pursue your interests, and jump right into the world of Fine Art. If you haven't ever had the time before, begin painting, sculpting or creating whatever art you personally want to create. Exhibit in galleries, compete in juried shows. Make a name for yourself in the Art world! (Other opportunities will surely follow)

Retail craft coordinator - Many large Arts & Crafts supply stores employ a craft coordinator - someone who organizes community classes, in-store events, demonstrations, service projects, sets up displays promoting store materials and helps customers coordinate seasonal, holiday, bridal, etc. decorating and ideas.

Writing about art - If you are a decent writer, document your experiences in teaching Art, lesson-planning or classroom management, and send to various publishers - books, magazines, or free-lance websites. You could also start your own blog - and, after a lot of work in writing and promoting your blog, you could become quite successful in this career. As a teacher with an Art Education degree, you could also consider writing geared toward students rather than just teachers - try authoring and illustrating children's books about Art.

Art supply catalog or store consultant - Who else knows better what materials are needed in a school Art class than a teacher with an Art Education degree? Consider applying for work as a consultant with an Art supply catalog or a supply store, where you can share your expertise in materials and classroom needs.

Other creative, art-based careers - With an Art Education degree, you are qualified for any number of creative art-based careers: advertising designers, art directors, cake decorators, web designers, florists, wedding coordinators. Simply investigate the qualifications each company requires.

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