5 answers
Jacey
Student
Ogdensburg, New York
1
Question
Updated
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How do you get a career in an art field that still manages to pay well?
How do you get a career in an art field that still manages to pay well?
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5 answers
Amber Lee
Tax Associate
33
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Amber’s Answer
Hi Jacey,
As Justin pointed out, it's really difficult to get into the art field with the goal of making lots of money. It can be done, but you have to have very specific skills and know how to market yourself well. I was an art major but was rubbish at marketing myself, so I ended up doing nothing with my art degree and found a career in law and tax consulting instead (a complete 180, I know).
Most of the folks I know here in NYC work in the creative industry, and from my observation it would appear each of them have found a niche where their skills are valued, and they are also very good at networking with potential clients and other people in the industry (that's how they get work!). For example, a graphic designer I know is incredibly skilled at designing things that are unique to the food and beverage industry, so that's her area of expertise and she can afford to turn down work that does not fit with her interest. Another friend of mine works in set design, and they have gained enough experience in the industry to get consistent freelance work with different media companies. Another person I know work for a major magazine designing content for online publishing. I understand he makes comfortable salary.
A career within an auction house would be more financially rewarding, but know that those opportunities tend to be extremely competitive and would generally favor folks who have very specific educational background and skills. If this is something you're interested in and you have the resources to explore these opportunities, I would recommend you look into their internship offerings throughout the year. Museum and gallery-related positions are also something to look into, but like auction house positions, these are also hard to come by.
If visual art is something you're interested in, work on developing a strong portfolio and hosting it somewhere where you can easily share with potential employers/clients. Build your network and put yourself out there.
Good luck!
As Justin pointed out, it's really difficult to get into the art field with the goal of making lots of money. It can be done, but you have to have very specific skills and know how to market yourself well. I was an art major but was rubbish at marketing myself, so I ended up doing nothing with my art degree and found a career in law and tax consulting instead (a complete 180, I know).
Most of the folks I know here in NYC work in the creative industry, and from my observation it would appear each of them have found a niche where their skills are valued, and they are also very good at networking with potential clients and other people in the industry (that's how they get work!). For example, a graphic designer I know is incredibly skilled at designing things that are unique to the food and beverage industry, so that's her area of expertise and she can afford to turn down work that does not fit with her interest. Another friend of mine works in set design, and they have gained enough experience in the industry to get consistent freelance work with different media companies. Another person I know work for a major magazine designing content for online publishing. I understand he makes comfortable salary.
A career within an auction house would be more financially rewarding, but know that those opportunities tend to be extremely competitive and would generally favor folks who have very specific educational background and skills. If this is something you're interested in and you have the resources to explore these opportunities, I would recommend you look into their internship offerings throughout the year. Museum and gallery-related positions are also something to look into, but like auction house positions, these are also hard to come by.
If visual art is something you're interested in, work on developing a strong portfolio and hosting it somewhere where you can easily share with potential employers/clients. Build your network and put yourself out there.
Good luck!
Raphael Rahola
Consultant
3
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Raphael’s Answer
A career that I have seen a lot of young people pursuing recently and that pays well involves securing employment at renowned firms such as Sotheby’s or Christie’s. These firms offer competitive salaries and growth opportunities in departments like business development, client relations, and specialized art areas. By combining education, networking, and practical experience, you can build a successful and financially rewarding career in the art world.
Vamsi Reddy, MD
Consultant; Physician
8
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Vamsi’s Answer
Hi Jacey - great question! See below for a few art-related fields and their salaries:
Graphic Designer: Create visuals for marketing, advertising, and branding // Salary range: $40,000 - $70,000
Animator: Work in film, TV, or video game production // Salary range: $50,000 - $100,000
User Experience (UX) Designer: Design digital products that enhance user interaction // Salary range: $75,000 - $120,000
Art Director: Lead creative teams in advertising, publishing, or film production // Salary range: $80,000 - $150,000
Art Curator: Manage collections and exhibitions at museums or galleries // Salary range: $50,000 - $100,000
Art Therapist: Use art to help individuals with mental health issues // Salary range: $45,000 - $80,000
Depending on the field you choose, you would need to gain proficiency in the relevant tools or software and tailor your education towards that particular industry
Graphic Designer: Create visuals for marketing, advertising, and branding // Salary range: $40,000 - $70,000
Animator: Work in film, TV, or video game production // Salary range: $50,000 - $100,000
User Experience (UX) Designer: Design digital products that enhance user interaction // Salary range: $75,000 - $120,000
Art Director: Lead creative teams in advertising, publishing, or film production // Salary range: $80,000 - $150,000
Art Curator: Manage collections and exhibitions at museums or galleries // Salary range: $50,000 - $100,000
Art Therapist: Use art to help individuals with mental health issues // Salary range: $45,000 - $80,000
Depending on the field you choose, you would need to gain proficiency in the relevant tools or software and tailor your education towards that particular industry
Justin Sommers
Lawyer
7
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Justin’s Answer
It's difficult to go into the art field with the goal of making a lot of money. It happens, but it requires some lucky breaks. Becoming an art dealer may be one way to get there, but that's a difficult field to break into. It helps to study art history in college or in continuing education, and then attending some of the big art exhibitions in big cities (New York, Miami, etc.) to make connections and learn more about the industry.
David Lu, CFA
Consultant
3
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
David’s Answer
I was in your shoes as well when I was younger (took studio art for many years, loved sketching, and was voted Most Artistic in high school!) and had the same question. If you're looking for an artistic career, there are a few different options:
1. Being an artist specifically. There are many artists that make a simple living doing this. They'll either be artists that have their works shown in museums, or will have online fanbases and are funded through Patreon or selling merchandise, for example. For this, you can generally learn the skills through practicing art on your own, and you won't necessarily need to major in art in college. However, this is a difficult and tricky path, and the pay will vary and be volatile. We also have to bear in mind that Generative AI can impact demand for digital art in the future.
2. Being a graphic or product designer. There are many creative roles in businesses that are focused on design and artistic creativity. Think about the interface on your iPhone or the Spotify App, or the logos of your favorite companies. For these types of jobs, you would definitely want to study digital art and design in university, but also UI/UX design. These jobs will pay more than being a standalone artist and have more stability, and will still allow you to be creative and artsy.
3. Becoming a Marketer. Certain roles within Marketing are very creative in nature (think about the ads you see on TV or YouTube or on social media), while also being well-paying. In many universities, you'll be able to major in Marketing and learn about how companies use creativity and their voices to reach people and grab folks' attentions. While this isn't necessary the same as being in art, it is still a field that rewards creativity, and may pay the most compared to the other paths I listed.
1. Being an artist specifically. There are many artists that make a simple living doing this. They'll either be artists that have their works shown in museums, or will have online fanbases and are funded through Patreon or selling merchandise, for example. For this, you can generally learn the skills through practicing art on your own, and you won't necessarily need to major in art in college. However, this is a difficult and tricky path, and the pay will vary and be volatile. We also have to bear in mind that Generative AI can impact demand for digital art in the future.
2. Being a graphic or product designer. There are many creative roles in businesses that are focused on design and artistic creativity. Think about the interface on your iPhone or the Spotify App, or the logos of your favorite companies. For these types of jobs, you would definitely want to study digital art and design in university, but also UI/UX design. These jobs will pay more than being a standalone artist and have more stability, and will still allow you to be creative and artsy.
3. Becoming a Marketer. Certain roles within Marketing are very creative in nature (think about the ads you see on TV or YouTube or on social media), while also being well-paying. In many universities, you'll be able to major in Marketing and learn about how companies use creativity and their voices to reach people and grab folks' attentions. While this isn't necessary the same as being in art, it is still a field that rewards creativity, and may pay the most compared to the other paths I listed.