The art world provides an enormous field of career and job opportunities. Whether fine art, photography, mixed media, or film design is a person's passion, he or she is likely to find a career that is related in some way. Working with art is a dream come true for many, who love the idea of paying the rent by supporting their passion.
The most obvious way to center a career around art is to become an artist. Yet while that works perfectly well as a hobby and side project, finding paid work as a freelance artist of any variety may be difficult. Art careers do exist in great numbers; it's simply a matter of narrowing them down. Cartoonists can work for newspapers and magazines, but may also find satisfaction in the animation world, working for studios like Disney or Pixar. Many photographers choose to work as photojournalists or event photographers, allowing themselves a flexible schedule that leaves plenty of time for their own work.
For those who love the subject but do not want to work as an artists, there are still many different art careers. Art historians work closely with museums and private collectors, researching the history of artists and artwork. People drawn toward art careers that deal with historical work can also find many careers at museums. Art curators at museums are often in charge of designing exhibits and procuring new artwork to show to the public.
Another major area of art careers involves teaching. People with art backgrounds may greatly enjoy imparting their love of art to students of all ages, as well as nurturing any talent that comes in the door. Art teachers work with many different people, from kindergartners or special needs children to community college classes filled with adults of every age.
Teaching in a classroom setting is certainly not the only way a person could benefit others through a career in art. Art therapists typically hold licensees to practice mental health professions as well as art qualifications. In this therapeutic treatment, patients work to explain their feelings and problems through artwork, under the guidance of a professional. Through discussion of the drawings or paintings, an art therapist can help clients reach insight about their own emotions.
Many, though not all, art careers require a college degree of some kind. To teach past the high school level, most colleges and universities require a Master's degree in a related subject, as well as a Bachelor's degree and teaching certificate. For museum careers, a four-year degree in art history may be sufficient for many positions, though at larger or more prestigious institutions, more degrees may be helpful. Freelance artists do not usually need degrees, though a Bachelor's degree may allow them to fall back on teaching or other related careers should they need a change of pace or a more regular paycheck.