Careers in the Arts

The Arts is an extremely diverse industry sector which does not have such a straightforward career path as other fields. Positions within the Arts can range from purely creative ones to management, administrative and academic posts as well as roles which are a combination of specialities. Creative roles include those of visual artist, designer, performer and writer while management positions can entail administrative, accounting, event management, PR and fundraising activities.

Transferable skills

There are a range of skills that you can acquire as a result of your studies or through your involvement in creative activities which could prove invaluable to a career in the Arts. Attributes such as the ability to effectively manage and prioritise your workload, or to organise events and develop solutions to problems, could be of particular use for a management or administrative role in the industry. Indeed, if you have previously worked as an artist and are looking to branch out into a different field, you may be pleasantly surprised at the variety of skills you have picked up through your involvement in various projects along the way.

However, it is also possible to enter the Arts with little or no previous experience. Skills acquired in other industries may be of value, particularly for administrative or management roles, including experience in areas such as fundraising or event management.

How to enter the Arts

Vacancies within the Arts can be few and far between and therefore competition for each position tends to be fierce. The more experience you are able to demonstrate, the better your chances will be so it may be advantageous to undertake any work placements or internships that you can. Such experiences can enable you not only to gain an insight into the field you wish to work in but can also provide the opportunity to network with other industry professionals.

Part-time and job-sharing opportunities

Positions within the Arts quite often offer greater flexibility than other fields with the opportunity to become involved in one-off projects while continuing to be involved in existing projects and commitments. It is important to make clear to recruiters the sort of work pattern that you hope to achieve and exactly what your aims and objectives are.

Knowing that you have the skills and attributes required for a position in the Arts can be quite different from convincing potential employers of this. It is therefore essential that you have a CV, covering letter and application forms which are designed specifically to sell the skills you have which are relevant to a career in the Arts.