Careers in the Arts

Not Just Absinthe and Garrets - Careers In The Arts - A CV Centre Guide

Careers In The Arts

Some career paths are more straightforward than others, and a career in the Arts is likely to be more convoluted than most! It is also a wide-ranging field, encompassing those who are actively creative: visual artists; designers; curators; performers; writers etc. and a host of related positions within arts management and administration as well as academic posts. There are also often (whether through necessity or desire) possibilities for combining the above - a visual artist may well carry out teaching or hold administrative positions in addition to their work as a practicing artist. Arts administration and management also covers a broad range of positions in itself, including exhibition and event coordination, fund-raising, publicity, press work and PR as well as finance and even the management of buildings. So it is certainly an area with a lot of scope for career development.

In and Out of the Arts -Transferable Skills

Experience acquired during your academic arts training, and whilst pursuing a creative career, furnishes you with skills which can also be desirable to those recruiting in other sectors. For example, a career as a visual artist usually involves being able to juggle a multitude of tasks. In addition to creating the works of art themselves, you are also likely to be involved with press work, event organisation, raising money, etc. The ability to think creatively and to find innovative solutions to problems are also attributes which are honed whilst training and working as a visual artist - and certainly skills useful within a variety of different environments. If you are thinking of moving from working as a practicing artist into another line of work, or expanding the range of work you undertake, it can be beneficial to look closely at all aspects of your career to date, to assess each project you have undertaken, stage by stage, in order to identify the range of skills you have developed. There might be more than you think! Positions within arts administration and management are going to be especially suitable, as an academic background in the Arts is likely to allow you to bring added specialised knowledge and enthusiasm to the position.

Breaking into The Arts

Competition for positions within the Arts can be very strong and so it is useful to expand upon your experience by taking up work placements or internships within the specific area you are interested in. This can be especially handy if you are keen to work within a gallery, museum or arts publishing, where an internship should allow you not only to gain valuable sector-specific experience but also to meet other arts professionals.

Selling your Skills

It is one thing to know in your own mind that you have the skills and capability for a vacant position. However it can be quite another matter when it comes to convincing a potential employer of the same. Your CV, covering letters and, most importantly, application forms are documents vital to your success. If you would like to make sure that these are of the highest possible standard, then you need to get them professionally prepared! Click Here to find out how The CV Centre can help you.

If you want to know about increasing your chances of employment, please visit CV-Library.co.uk for access to a wealth of career advice.