Are artists the next diplomats? Perhaps.
Under a new program through the U.S. State Department, 15 artists will
be selected to travel to countries, including Pakistan, Venezuela,
Egypt, China, Nigeria, and a Somali refugee camp in Kenya in 2011 to
create art projects abroad.
The $1 million program, which will be administered by the Bronx Museum of the Arts, has as its goal to create cultural dialogue and improve the image of the U.S. abroad. And the government isn't the only organization sending artists overseas. Art therapists have played a role in disaster relief in Haiti following the January 2010 earthquake that devastated Port-au-Prince.
People are drawn to art because of it's visual and emotional power, and a number of unconventional art careers seek to harness that power by employing artists outside the studio. While not every career takes you across international borders, here's a look at 5 careers that take you outside the art studio.
5 Careers that Keep Art at Heart Outside of the Studio
A career in art does not have to keep you confined to the walls of a studio or gallery. Whether you opt to pursue an education in art and design in a traditional campus program or choose online degree programs to pursue your dream, there are several career paths you can follow.
1. Art Therapist
According to the American Art Therapy Association, art therapy is a mental health profession that uses the creative process of art-making to improve the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages. Art therapists are trained in both art and therapy and have both a bachelor's and a master's degree. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, businesses, private practices, elder-care facilities, schools, or residential treatment centers. Employment opportunities for art therapists are projected to increase as art therapy becomes more widely recognized.
2. Medical Illustrator
Although there are only an estimated 2,000 people trained as medical illustrators, it is a diverse field that provides opportunity for contributions to scientific papers, text books, brochures, fliers and Web sites, to name a few. With education in both the life sciences and visual communication, a medical illustrator works with scientists and physicians to transform the complexities of human anatomy into visual images.
The majority of medical illustrators have both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in medical illustration. Approximately half of all medical illustrators are self-employed, while others may work with publishing companies, advertising agencies, hospitals, medical schools, or research institutions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts the need for medical illustrators will grow as medical research continues to expand and patients demand education about their health and wellness.
3. Fine Art Photographer
Working as a photographer can take you anywhere you see beauty, from mountain landscapes to urban playgrounds. Most often self-employed or freelance-based, fine art photographers take photos in a variety of settings and sell them as fine artwork. The subject of most work is determined by the preference of the photographer, although freelance assignments most often outline needs and wants. Employment opportunities for fine art photographers are expected to grow as fast as the average for all occupations. Many entry-level photography positions require a bachelor's degree. Art schools also offer training in photographic design and composition.
4. Art Director
Working most frequently in advertising, public relations and print media, art directors apply their knowledge of art and design to decide how to best present a concept visually by deciding what colors, photographs, art work or font styles should be used. A career as an art director typically requires at least a bachelor's degree. The BLS predicts that employment opportunities for art directors will grow by 12 percent between the decade of 2008 and 2018.
5. Multimedia Artist or Animator
A multimedia artist or animator uses computers to create and animate the images or special effects seen in movies, on television, and even in video games. In 2008, 79,000 people were employed in multimedia art and the BLS estimates employment opportunities will grow by 14 percent between 2008 and 2010.
The $1 million program, which will be administered by the Bronx Museum of the Arts, has as its goal to create cultural dialogue and improve the image of the U.S. abroad. And the government isn't the only organization sending artists overseas. Art therapists have played a role in disaster relief in Haiti following the January 2010 earthquake that devastated Port-au-Prince.
People are drawn to art because of it's visual and emotional power, and a number of unconventional art careers seek to harness that power by employing artists outside the studio. While not every career takes you across international borders, here's a look at 5 careers that take you outside the art studio.
5 Careers that Keep Art at Heart Outside of the Studio
A career in art does not have to keep you confined to the walls of a studio or gallery. Whether you opt to pursue an education in art and design in a traditional campus program or choose online degree programs to pursue your dream, there are several career paths you can follow.
1. Art Therapist
According to the American Art Therapy Association, art therapy is a mental health profession that uses the creative process of art-making to improve the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages. Art therapists are trained in both art and therapy and have both a bachelor's and a master's degree. They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, businesses, private practices, elder-care facilities, schools, or residential treatment centers. Employment opportunities for art therapists are projected to increase as art therapy becomes more widely recognized.
2. Medical Illustrator
Although there are only an estimated 2,000 people trained as medical illustrators, it is a diverse field that provides opportunity for contributions to scientific papers, text books, brochures, fliers and Web sites, to name a few. With education in both the life sciences and visual communication, a medical illustrator works with scientists and physicians to transform the complexities of human anatomy into visual images.
The majority of medical illustrators have both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in medical illustration. Approximately half of all medical illustrators are self-employed, while others may work with publishing companies, advertising agencies, hospitals, medical schools, or research institutions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts the need for medical illustrators will grow as medical research continues to expand and patients demand education about their health and wellness.
3. Fine Art Photographer
Working as a photographer can take you anywhere you see beauty, from mountain landscapes to urban playgrounds. Most often self-employed or freelance-based, fine art photographers take photos in a variety of settings and sell them as fine artwork. The subject of most work is determined by the preference of the photographer, although freelance assignments most often outline needs and wants. Employment opportunities for fine art photographers are expected to grow as fast as the average for all occupations. Many entry-level photography positions require a bachelor's degree. Art schools also offer training in photographic design and composition.
4. Art Director
Working most frequently in advertising, public relations and print media, art directors apply their knowledge of art and design to decide how to best present a concept visually by deciding what colors, photographs, art work or font styles should be used. A career as an art director typically requires at least a bachelor's degree. The BLS predicts that employment opportunities for art directors will grow by 12 percent between the decade of 2008 and 2018.
5. Multimedia Artist or Animator
A multimedia artist or animator uses computers to create and animate the images or special effects seen in movies, on television, and even in video games. In 2008, 79,000 people were employed in multimedia art and the BLS estimates employment opportunities will grow by 14 percent between 2008 and 2010.
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