Do you need an academic education for an art or crafts career?

The answer is yes and no. Your specialty choice, natural skills and talents, and tool skills guide your decision for academic or informal learning.

Are you an artist, craftsman or artisan?

Artist: A human being who designs and makes original works of art using their God-given gifts of creativity, insight, and wisdom. Examples of classic arts include paintings, sculpture, and music.

A college or university degree helps improve artistic talents, employment networking, and exposure to a variety of art categories. Professional art educators, photography, movie and theater business, and art director are examples of special careers that need a degree.

Craftsman: This person has hand-crafting skills making crafts that are mass- produced for the public. Examples include cabinet construction, auto parts, and producing cookware. Craftsmen work with a variety of tools.

Read and study textbooks, trade magazines, and videos. Other options of learning include online instructions, trade or vocational schools, and on-the-job training. You may serve an apprenticeship or internship within a family business or with another business associate. These Informal learning outlets are great for hobbyists, craft workers, or experimentation.

Artisan: An artisan is an artist and craftsman. This person creates an object from an imaginative idea, designs it, and makes the piece with their hands. Their original or one-of-a-kind handicraft products are aesthetic and practical. Examples include ceramics, leather goods, and jewelry.

Artisans and artists advance their knowledge attending specialty arts and crafts schools, colleges, or universities. American government statistics show more job opportunities are available to those with college or university degrees than self-taught.

Another educational choice is to learn a specific occupational course resulting in certification. They may give points for taking a certified course and apply them to future college credits.

Additional skills:

Regardless of the art or craft education, other skills are necessary to not become “a starving artist”.

These include:

1. Advertising, marketing, and selling techniques
2. General business knowledge
3. Bookkeeping and accounting
4. Tool knowledge and experience for their art or craft interests
5. Skills: communication, technical, organizational, management
6. Research

Job Ideas:

1. Visual effects in video games, movies, television, and smartphones
2. Creating websites and other media platforms
3. 3-D Model makers
4. Welder
5. Cake decorator
6. Photographer
7. Museum curator
8. Cabinet maker
9. Event coordinator
10. Hair stylist

There are thousands of employment opportunities for artists and craftsmen. The arts and crafts list is lengthy and for this reason, it is helpful to know your first, second, and third choices in selecting a career.

USA.gov, Occupational Outlook Handbook indicate 37,000 new arts and crafts jobs are being added.

Do you need more information about the arts and crafts industries? Read Employment for Artists and Craftsmen or visit Tricia Deed’s website. Read other articles featuring arts and crafts on the recreational list.