It’s been a long road, but you’ve finally made it: you’re an art school graduate! And while this is an exciting time, it’s not without its own unique challenges. You’ve fallen into a distinct groove these last few years, and enjoyed the built-in support of your classmates and professors to help navigate life. But now, things are going to look a little different, and it’s worth taking the time to regroup and strategize about how you’d like to start exploring art careers.
It may be impossible to know exactly what lies ahead, but there are, for better or worse, some common pitfalls, and having a better understanding of what you’ll experience can help you move through it with confidence and grace. And while we’re sure you’ve heard it before, it bears repeating: you’re not alone. This transition from being a student to dedicating yourself to full-time art careers can feel isolating and overwhelming, but a little preparation can steady you and set you up for success.
Get your finances in shape
We cannot emphasize the importance of financial health enough, especially if you’re still young and feel like you have all the time in the world. Sticking to a reasonable budget and cultivating healthy financial habits are some of the most important things you can do, as they will affect everything from your mental health to creativity.
If you’re considering different art careers, take time to look at your financial resources and obligations. You might start by taking an honest assessment of your monthly expenses, and be sure to include everything ruthlessly: rent, student loans, food, toiletries, clothing, healthcare, entertainment, transportation, etc.
If you’re planning on moving after graduation, research rents in the area and compare different scenarios. How much would it cost for you to live in an expensive metropolis as opposed to a smaller city? Again, be sure to account for everything so you have a full understanding of what different living situations might look like and how much you’ll need to earn in your art careers.
Another consideration when looking at various cities? You’ll need to think about how art careers might look a bit different and make sure that your creative needs remain part of the equation. For example, bustling hubs like New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles have higher rents, which can translate into financial obligations that affect your studio time. But they can also provide you with higher salaries and more exciting connections that can evolve into more robust art careers.
Smaller cities, on the other hand, have less cache but are less expensive, offer more studio space, and often feature incredibly close-knit creative communities, which can be invaluable as you’re first getting on your feet.
Sharing space is another way to minimize expenses (and, for many, an absolute necessity when it comes to affordability). You might get a roommate or share a studio, both incredibly smart ways to give yourself the freedom you’ll need to focus on your creative practice. Or, think of creative ways to barter: childcare, housecleaning, cooking, and other unique services are always on the table.
Find art careers that excite you
Now that you’ve carefully established a budget and know what you’re able to spend, it’s time to find employment. If you’re a recent art school graduate, be sure to take advantage of any resources the school might offer: do they have a career center? Or did you have a great relationship with a professor that might know of interesting opportunities and art careers? Now is not the time to be shy—find the courage to reach out and ask for what you want.
You can also use your social networks (and especially LinkedIn) to explore what’s out there, or look to organizations like Creative Time, the College Art Association, or even MediaBistro to find the latest creative opportunities. Just be sure that your resume and portfolio are up to snuff: there’s nothing more discouraging than making a great connection and ultimately dropping the ball because you were unprepared.
Another thing you’ll need to understand as you begin exploring art careers: how you tackle your creative work will likely look a lot different after you’ve entered the real world. It can feel like a lot, but it is possible to successfully juggle a day job and your creative practice. Just be sure to schedule regular blocks of time on your calendar, and make sure that they’re non-negotiable.
Other creative solutions for art careers include freelancing, which is admittedly harder to schedule and rely on, and residencies, which can offer even full-time employees a week or two to dedicate exclusively to their artistic practice (which can be an incredible shot of creativity when so much of our time and energy is typically used to serve others). Typically low to no cost, art residencies exist in every corner of the globe. Just take a look at our handy guide to learn more about how to find the perfect spot.
Your first job out of school can connect you with other brilliant creatives.
Transition from art school to art careers
It’s an abrupt change, but overnight you’ll transition from student to artist, and the world expects you to present yourself professionally. At bare minimum, you’ll need to have a polished resume, artist statement, business cards, and a thoughtfully-curated online portfolio. Everything must be well-written and proofread, and you might even ask your writerly friend to look over all of your materials before circulating them.
Being a professional also means rehearsing your “elevator pitch”, which is a quick script you’ll use to describe your work in an appealing and accessible way, and making sure that your social media tells the complete story about who you are as a an artist and what you hope to find in art careers.
Build Your Network
Now that you’re an art school graduate, you’ll need to continue expanding upon your professional network. The first step? Stay in touch with your classmates—you never know who’ll curate a show, write a review, or be in a position to hire you, so always keep them in the loop.
Making connections can feel daunting (especially if you’re naturally shy), but we assure you that networking for artists can be much easier than you think. Show up at openings to support your friends and meet other artists, become a regular at the galleries you admire (especially smaller and mid-sized establishments), ask other creatives about swapping studio visits, and join professional organizations to attend creative meetups and connect with others in your field.
Are there no local organizations for you to join? Then start one! There’s no shortage of creative minds even in the smallest of towns, so connect with other artists for an art-focused book club or regular breakfast gathering to share opportunities and make connections.
Building a great network opens doors and gets you work.
Keep Learning
Being an art school graduate doesn’t mean you’re done learning! No matter what career path you head down, it’s always a good idea to take time to develop yourself creatively and professionally. And with so many offerings on the internet, like podcasts and even Art Journal, information is easy to access for little to no cost.
You might also look to local arts organizations to pursue professional development classes. In NYC, the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council and New York Artists Equity Association offer inexpensive group classes and workshops, and the Bronx Museum’s Artist in the Marketplace (AIM) program helps artists learn about the art business. But New York isn’t the only place to get connected: you can even look to online destinations like Creative Capital to sign up for virtual experiences.
In addition to understanding the ins and outs of your craft, it’s important that you understand the boring bits, too. We’re talking about how to make sense of a contract, make tax deductions, or even how to negotiate for a better price on a studio space. Do you want to show your work in commercial galleries? Then you’ll need to learn about how that business operates (including how artists and owners make their money), and how to move within it.
Ultimately, your specific role is unimportant when it comes to learning the many aspects of your business. From hiring and working with staff to preparing a space and understanding pricing, being knowledgeable about every aspect will make you a more desirable job candidate, freelancer, and collaborator.
Be generous
The creative world can feel cut throat, its opportunities limited and the competition fierce. But the reality is that generosity and sharing are the ship opportunities sail on, and listening actively and connecting others will ultimately pay you dividends.
It really does benefit you to be a good person and helpful colleague. Remember to share information, offer support, and simply be kind to your fellow creatives and artists. Together, you might be able to create something bigger, like a group exhibition, collective, or even a popular residency.
Being generous with your time and knowledge will ultimately empower you to think bigger, and you’ll enjoy the support of your community along the way. Just remember to leave your ego at the door: even if someone seems “unimportant”, that’s no reason to be rude or dismissive. While you can certainly be protective of your time, just remember that there’s no way to know how someone will grow over the next few years. Don’t leave a bad impression that will impact you further down the road.
As a recent art school graduate, the transition to professional can seem sudden and daunting. But taking calculated steps, relying on your network and community, and prioritizing financial health can help you slowly build your dream life. Just be patient and give it a little time. You have so much to look forward to!
Are you a recent art school graduate? Are you feeling exciting about the road ahead? What are you looking forward to, and what areas do you plan to improve upon? Let us know in the comments.
