So, you’ve just graduated with your art degree. Congratulations! Now it’s time to think about how you can put your creative talents and artistic skills to use in the working world. There are many fulfilling career paths open to art graduates here in the UK. In this article, we’ll explore seven potential jobs for you to consider.
1. Fine Artist
Becoming a professional fine artist is the classic career choice for many art graduates. As a fine artist, you would devote your time to creating paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, and other works of art to display and sell. It takes dedication and perseverance to make it as a fine artist, but your art degree has provided you with the skills and techniques needed to develop your own aesthetic style and creative vision. You’ll get to immerse yourself fully in your art while building your reputation and portfolio. British art stars like Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin show it’s possible to achieve great success as a fine artist here but it’s often a career people do on the side when first starting out.
2. Art Teacher
Consider sharing your artistic knowledge and inspiring the next generation of British artists by becoming an art teacher. You can work in primary or secondary schools, colleges, universities, museums, or private art schools. With your degree, you’ll be qualified to teach foundation art classes or more specialised subjects like painting, sculpture, photography, graphic design, and art history. It’s a rewarding career path for those with a passion for educating others about art. Famed British pop art movement pioneers like Richard Hamilton began their careers as art teachers.
3. Graphic Designer
Let your creativity flourish as a graphic designer creating visual concepts for websites, advertisements, corporate branding, publications, product packaging, and more. Your art background helps you have an eye for aesthetics, composition, and styling. You’ll get to problem-solve and find impactful ways to communicate messages visually. As a graphic designer in the UK, you could work for design firms, in advertising agencies, at publishing companies, or as a freelancer. Knowing software like Adobe Creative Suite is a plus for this career.
4. Illustrator
Combine your artistic aptitude with storytelling skills as an illustrator. Illustrators produce drawings, paintings, and other illustrations for uses like children’s books, visual novels, advertisements, greeting cards, posters, concept art, comics, and more. Your art degree has refined your illustration techniques and given you a portfolio of work to show clients. In Britain, there are opportunities to work with publishers like Bloomsbury, Penguin Random House, Oxford University Press, and more to illustrate imaginative new books.
5. Art Gallery Curator
For art graduates with a deep passion for art history, becoming a curator at an art gallery allows you to fully immerse yourself in the art world. Curators research, evaluate and acquire pieces to include in gallery exhibitions. You’ll get to conceptualise and design compelling exhibits educating visitors about artistic movements, styles, and individual artists. Leading galleries like the Tate Modern and the Serpentine Galleries would value your artistic insight and educational background. Curating gives you influence over the art world itself.
6. Art Therapist
Tap into the healing potential of art by becoming an art therapist. This growing field uses artmaking and the creative process to help improve people’s mental health and well-being. With further training, your art degree and understanding of visual expression can allow you to work with children, adults, families, or groups facing emotional or psychological challenges. Your guidance helps them use art to explore feelings, develop self-awareness, cope with stress, and more. It’s a meaningful way to enable positive change through art.
7. Art Critic
Finally, consider utilising your artistic discernment, art historical knowledge, and writing skills to work as an art critic. Art critics analyse and evaluate artworks and exhibitions through published reviews and commentary. As a critic, you can influence opinions, uncover meaning in artworks, and guide discourse about the art world. Your degree provides the foundation to confidently assess aesthetic quality, techniques, and artistic genres. Look to renowned British art critics like John Berger and Matthew Collings as inspiration.
There are so many directions an art degree can take you in Britain today. Whether working as a fine artist, teacher, designer, illustrator, curator, therapist, critic, or in roles that require a graduate visa, you now have the skills and experience to bring your creativity to life in impactful new ways. Let your artistic passion guide you towards a fulfilling career. The possibilities are endless for talented art graduates like you!