
Careers and Opportunities in the Arts
Below are some of the many careers an arts major can pursue.
Work in film, TV, commericals, theatre, theme parks, etc. Salary can be highly variable. Grad school can be helpful but is not necessary.
Field of Study: Film/Theatre
Salary Range: Variable
Related Link: Onstage Blog
Produce images that appear to come to life on screen. Their work is found in feature films, commercials, pop videos, computer games, websites and other media
Field of Study: Film
Salary Range: Variable
Related Link: Walt Disney Animation Studios
The Art Museum Collections Specialist is responsible for the day-to-day oversight and preservation of the objects of the museum collection.
Field of Study: Arts Admin
Salary Range: Variable
Curators (sometimes referred to as archivists in libraries) collect, exhibit, interpret, maintain, and protect objects of historical and aesthetic importance primarily in museums, libraries, and private collections. Curators are responsible for the safety and proper presentation of the works.
Field of Study: Arts Admin
Salary Range: Junior, $40k; Senior, $75k
Related Link: The Princeton Review
The artistic director is responsible for conceiving, developing, and implementing the artistic vision and focus of a theatre company. The artistic director typically reports to the chief administrative officer, although in some companies, the two positions are combined into one.
Field of Study: Theatre
Salary Range: $40k–50k
Related Link: AACT
Often referred to as the 'AP', an Associate Producer generally assists the producer in putting the TV program or film together. Duties may include writing, editing, organizing scripts, running the teleprompter in news casts, or helping the editor by making beat calls.
Field of Study: Film/TV
Salary Range: $50k
Casting Directors organize and facilitate the casting of actors for all the roles in a film. This involves working closely with the director and producer to understand their requirements, and suggesting ideal artists for each role, as well as arranging and conducting interviews and auditions.
Field of Study: Film/TV
Salary Range: $70k+
A costume designer is a person who designs costumes for a film, stage production or television. The role of the costume designer is to create the characters' outfits/costumes and balance the scenes with texture and colour, etc.
Field of Study: Film/Theatre
Salary Range: $30k+
A curatorial assistant assists the main curator in whatever tasks are necessary - common for curatorial assistants to be continuing their studies as they work.
Field of Study: Arts Admin
Salary Range: $30k
Responsible for the management and supervision of all engagement programming and staff. Creates and facilitates educational curriculum, programming, and materials for all ages, works on audience engagement for programming, etc
Field of Study: Arts Admin
Salary Range: Variable
They work alongside each and every member of the film production team, from the actors and producers to the lighting technicians and camera operators. ... The style, the pace and the impact of a film is dictated by the director. They oversee everything, from casting and set design to lighting and editing.
Field of Study: Film
Salary Range: $30k+
Theater directors hold auditions to select the acting cast members. They collaborate with the technical crew, which may consist of lighting, sound, set and costume designers. … The director blocks the play by adapting the actor movements to workable floor plans on the set.
Field of Study: Theatre
Salary Range: Variable
Very general position but often necessary to grow a career in many arts fields. Important to learn from experienced leaders in field, be it Music or Theatre or Film.
Field of Study: Music/Film/Theatre/Admin
Salary Range: $30k+
FIlm archivists locate original materials produced in a variety of formats, including photographs, documents, recordings and film. They then preserve these materials in a digital format for long-term storage and preservation.
Field of Study: Film
Salary Range: $50k+
Related Link: Northeast Historc Film
Graphic designers create visual concepts, by hand or using computer software, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, or captivate consumers. They develop the overall layout and production design for advertisements, brochures, magazines, and corporate reports.
Field of Study: Graphic Design
Salary Range: Variable
Leader on educational outreach to community and local schools. Necessary to have experience prior working at museums.
Field of Study: Arts Admin
Salary Range: Junior, $40k; Senior, $75k
Works with artists to grow their careers; could work at a larger agency (CAA, WME) or smaller set-up. Must be good with people and passionate about making things happen.
Field of Study: Music
Salary Range: $40k+
Typical responsibilities of the job include: planning and preparing lessons in relation to individual pupils' needs and examination syllabuses. … teaching music theory, aural skills, etc
Field of Study: Music
Salary Range: Variable by state, $30k
Instrumentalist paid to perform in either ensembles or alone; requires extreme dedication to instrument and craft
Field of Study: Music
Salary Range: Variable
Related Link: Bowdoin International Music Fesitval
Dedicated to creating content (commercials, promos) for NFL Films. Based in Mount Laurel, NJ.
Field of Study: Film
Salary Range: $20k+
Related Link: NFL Films
The responsibilities of a drama educator may include creating lesson plans,teaching students about plays and the history of drama, assisting students in creating their own dramatic pieces, etc
Field of Study: Theatre
Salary Range: $50k
Good entry-level position for someone interested in working in film/TV industry. Assist with various needs of the production team, have opportunity to gain exposure and meet a variety of people.
Field of Study: Film
Salary Range: $30k
Varies on field (i.e. theatre vs. music vs. film), but key responsibilities include assisting in publicity campaigns and providing support to publicity executives
Field of Study: Film
Salary Range: $30k
Work on project teams for important sales specifically to important or unique art - varies based on auction house. Great knowledge of art required.
Field of Study: Arts Admin
Salary Range: Variable
Related Link: National Gallery of Art
Write scripts for televison and film. Largely freelance and make your own career. Salary is highly, highly variable.
Field of Study: Film
Salary Range: $10k
Related Link: ScreenCraft
Good entry-level position for someone interested in working in film/TV industry. They work as part of the camera department to make sure that the production has continuous verbal and visual integrity. They must ensure that when different takes and scenes are finally edited the production does not contain distracting continuity errors.
Field of Study: Film
Salary Range: $32/hr
In the theater world, a technical director is a resident technical expert who supervises the activites of all technical departments—from lighting to carpentry—and oversees the use and maintenance of theater equipment.
Field of Study: Theatre
Salary Range: $40k+
Ticket Services is an important part of an organization charged with being the primary point of contact for the theatre customers.
Field of Study: Theatre/Arts Admin
Salary Range: $30k
Vocalist paid to perform in either ensembles or alone; requires extreme dedication to instrument (voice) and craft.
Field of Study: Music
Salary Range: Variable
Arts Jobs Resources
Americans for the Arts
Art Jobs
Arts for LA
Arts Initiative Columbia University
ArtsWave
Backstage
California Arts Council
International Society for the Performing Arts
League of Chicago Theatres
Media Match Network
New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA)
NYU Steinhardt
Playbill
ProductionHUB
Regional Arts & Culture Council
The Association of Performing Arts Professionals
The International Association of Venue Managers
US Army Arts Jobs
Hopkins Center Fellows Program
The Hopkins Center (Hop) Fellows Program will allow Dartmouth students to explore the field of arts management. Fellows will be given the chance to grow as leaders by taking on real world responsibilities in various departments while learning from Hop staff.
For questions about the Hopkins Center Fellows Program, contact Brandea Turner, fellowship supervisor.