“But art won’t help them find a job!”
It’s amazing how many people I speak to believe that being art isn’t something that’s will help their child transition into their working life.
I recall so many adults telling me as a child that art wasn’t something you get paid for, it’s a hobby and you can’t make a career out of it.
It was hard for me to see past that, and seeing art as a hobby that wasn’t going to help me at all in my life really made me feel like I was wasting my time, even though I loved creating art, all my pieces needed to be functional or useful so that I wasn’t wasting my time. It inhibited both my enjoyment of art, and the therapeutic benefits of art!
I wish now that there had been someone who said, being art is in nearly everything you do as an adult. Creating art regularly can give you so many valuable skills that allow you to develop successful careers.
Here’s a little list of just some of them:
Creative Problem-Solving Skills:
Engaging in artistic activities encourages children to think creatively and develop problem-solving skills. These skills are valuable in almost any career, from engineering to marketing.
Self-Expression and Communication:
Through art, children learn to express themselves visually and communicate ideas effectively. This ability to express oneself is essential in professions such as writing, public speaking, and graphic design.
Critical Thinking:
Analysing and interpreting artworks, both your won and other peoples fosters critical thinking skills, which are vital in fields like science, law, and research.
Persistence and Resilience:
Art often requires practice and experimentation, teaching children the importance of perseverance and resilience. These qualities are crucial in any career, especially those that involve overcoming obstacles and setbacks.
Understanding of Diversity and Culture:
Exploring different artistic styles and techniques exposes children to diverse cultures and perspectives. This cultural awareness is essential in today’s globalized world and can be beneficial in careers that involve international relations, diplomacy, or multicultural settings.
Technology Skills:
Many artistic endeavours, such as digital art and animation, involve the use of technology. Learning these skills early on can prepare children for careers in fields like animation, game design, or web development.
Emotional Intelligence:
Art can help children develop emotional intelligence by encouraging them to explore and express their emotions through their artwork. This understanding of emotions is invaluable in careers such as counselling, social work, or human resources and can be valuable in roles that involve any client interaction, customer service, or team leadership regardless of the industry.
Entrepreneurial Skills:
Learning how to work from a brief is a great way to learn how to interpret the needs of clients. In addition to that the simple process of being motivated creatively can help to instil a calm but productive pattern into an artist’s life. These skills are beneficial for anyone interested in starting their own business, regardless of the industry.
Visual Communication:
Good artists have a knack for visual storytelling, which can be invaluable in conveying complex ideas and concepts to colleagues, clients, or stakeholders. They can create compelling visuals that enhance presentations, reports, and marketing materials, making them more engaging and easier to understand.
Creativity and Innovation:
Artists are naturally creative thinkers who excel at generating new ideas and solutions. This creativity can lead to innovative approaches to problem-solving, product development, and project management. They can offer fresh perspectives and out-of-the-box solutions to challenges.
Attention to Detail:
Artists are trained to pay close attention to detail, whether it’s in the composition of a painting or the precision of a digital illustration. This attention to detail is invaluable in tasks that require accuracy and precision, such as graphic design, data visualization, and quality assurance.
Adaptability and Flexibility:
Artists are accustomed to working in dynamic and unpredictable environments, where they often need to adapt to changing requirements and deadlines. This adaptability makes them well-suited for fast-paced office environments, where priorities can shift quickly, and projects may require rapid iteration and adjustment.
Aesthetic Sensibility:
Artists have a keen eye for aesthetics and design, which can elevate the visual appeal of products, branding, and marketing materials. Their sense of colour, composition, and typography can help create cohesive and visually appealing assets that reflect positively on the organisation’s image and brand identity.
Team Collaboration:
Artists are often accustomed to working collaboratively, whether it’s with other artists, clients, or collaborators. They understand the importance of effective communication, feedback, and collaboration, making them valuable team players in corporate projects and initiatives.
Here are some careers that directly involve art!
1 – Graphic Designer
2 – Hair Dresser
3 – Animator
4 – Art Teacher
5 – Art Therapist
6 – Art Historian
7 – Museum Curator
8 – Gallery Owner/Manager
9 – Art Conservator
10 – Art Critic
11 – Art Restorer
12 – Muralist
13 – Printmaker/surface designer
14 – Photographer
15 – Fashion Designer
16 – Jewellery Designer
17 – Interior Designer
18 – Set Designer
19 – Costume Designer
20 – Makeup Artist
21 – Tattoo Artist
22 – Ceramic Artist/Potter
23 – Woodworker
24 – Furniture Designer
25 – Creative Director
26 – Exhibition Designer
27 – Concept Artist (for games, movies, etc)
28 – Storyboard Artist
29 – Packaging Designer:
30 – Public Art Coordinator
31 – Community Arts Organiser
32 – Children’s Book Illustrator
33 – Architect
34 – Landscape Designer
35 – Toy Designer
36 – Sign Writer
37 – Social Media Manager
38 – Advertising
39 – Fashion stylist
40 – Medical Illustrator
For a more comprehensive look at art as a career, check out the Art Career Project here!
And here are a few careers where you may not even realise being an artist can help:
Surgeon
Surgical procedures require precision and manual dexterity, similar to the skills needed in sculpting or fine art.
Chef
Culinary arts involve creativity in food presentation, plating, and flavour combinations, akin to creating visual artwork.
Forensic Scientist
Creating forensic reconstructions or analysing crime scenes often involves artistic skills like drawing and sculpting.
Software Developer
User interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design require creative problem-solving and an understanding of visual communication principles.
Civil Engineer
Designing infrastructure like bridges and roads often involves aesthetic considerations alongside structural functionality.
Data Analyst/Data Scientist
Presenting data visually through graphs, charts, and infographics requires design skills and an eye for aesthetics.
Video Game Developer
Creating video games involves storytelling, character design, and world-building, all of which are artistic endeavours.
Industrial Designer
Designing everyday products like furniture or appliances requires creativity in both form and function.
Marketing Manager
Crafting marketing campaigns often involves visual storytelling and creative direction.
Urban Planner
Designing cities and communities requires consideration of aesthetics, public space design, and cultural identity.
So the moral of this story is to indulge your inner artist and encourage your children to explore theirs. Developing our inner artist can not only make our lives more colourful and exciting, but can give us so many skills for our everyday lives and careers.
Let’s recognise that art is so much more than just a fun hobby, and let our kids see how much we support their creativity!