With the growing demand for creativity and the taste for a fresh perspective in various industries, there are plenty of jobs out there for recent art graduates. Seizing those opportunities and landing the job, however, is another story. This article will help you understand how you can kick-start your career in the arts by securing a job in your field of interest. Read on to find out! 

What kind of jobs are available?

Professionals in the arts industry can work in a variety of fields, depending on their interests and abilities. While there are several successful self-employed artists, many more, especially recent grads, work for agencies and design departments, or as freelancers. Let’s find out some of the different roles that art students could pursue once they graduate: 

  • Animator
  • Art teacher
  • Filmmaker
  • Fashion buyer
  • Graphic designer
  • Illustrator
  • Actor
  • Cake decorator
  • Fashion designer
  • Video game designer
  • Industrial designer
  • Interior painter
  • Fashion Photographer

 

How to find jobs:

Your university’s career centre is the best place to start your search, but there are also other ways to find jobs as a recent graduate. Outside of personal connections, cold calls and “help wanted” signs, there are quite a few online resources that provide job postings specifically for the arts and fashion industry. Alternatively, you could consider reaching out to previous professors who might know of openings or would be willing to introduce you to some useful contacts. 

How to improve your marketability as a recent grad

Most recent graduates have limited experience to showcase on their CVs or in interviews. Instead of hoping that someone will take a chance on you, take matters into your own hands and find different ways to demonstrate your employability. There are several things you can do, such as effectively planning ahead in order to boost your marketability and gain more experience. 

  • Build your network. As an art student, you probably had a fairly narrow professional network, but now that you’ve graduated, it’s important to start expanding these contacts. Start with former professors and summer employers, then continue developing it by attending networking events. You never know when someone might be the right connection for a new job opportunity! Be sure to always attend events dressed professionally and with copies of your updated resume. 
  • Expand your knowledge. During your job search, it’s crucial to spend extra time developing your knowledge and skill set. You should attend industry art events and lectures to speak with like-minded people and broaden your understanding of the field. You could even demonstrate leadership skills by organising your own small arts events. Whether it be art showings, knowledge-sharing conferences or fashion shows, heading an event not only develops your knowledge and recognises local artists, but it also makes an impressive addition to your CV. Taking this kind of leadership on can demonstrate your passion and leadership abilities to a future employer. 
  • Demonstrate skills on your resume. They say university is what you make of it, and it’s true. Two grads with the same art degree will likely have vastly different skill levels honed through separate experiences. Be sure to clarify what you did for each point on your CV, as well as explaining what skills you used. This will help potential employers understand your experience level, its relevance to their position and exactly how you could fit into their organisation. 
  • Don’t forget about soft skills. Soft skills, or the characteristics that are developed through general experience and not education, are critical in any industry, but especially the arts. Whether it be leadership, interpersonal communication or time management skills, artists need a broad toolset in order to succeed in the professional world. Showcase these in a “skills” section on your CV, or by including certain skill-related keywords in the descriptions of your work experiences. 
  • Develop your personal brand. In the modern world of social media, it’s important for arts professionals to demonstrate that they know how to successfully brand themselves and potential employers. Ensure your social media presence is a professional one and consider creating a website to display a portfolio of your work. It will provide an easily-accessible way for interested employers to view your work and better understand your skill level, while also proving your modernity. 

A degree in the arts is a much more valuable asset which can unlock a variety of different industries and positions during the job search and expose you to a very exciting fashion art career. So, start your hunt for the perfect position with confidence today! 

LCCA is located in the centre of London, and offers a great platform for student engagement and creative development. For more information about the courses offered by LCCA, click here