Career Profile: Visual Arts
 A successful career in visual arts can be elusive, challenging, and next to impossible. Thousands of artists each year who venture out to make their passion and hobby a career often face a harsh reality when they are forced to take a part-time job in order to make ends meet. Nevertheless, there are artists who make it big and look to make their mark in history similar to their predecessors such as Monet, Picasso, Rembrandt, and famous photographer, Ansel Adams.
Similar to the entertainment industry, visual artists face a lot of rejection and heavy competition as there are not often enough art collectors for as many artists that exist. Although it may be a long road to achieving status in the field and earning an income, there are those who make it with a determination and exceptional talent.
Visual artists do not necessarily need to pursue a formal education in order to be considered credible. In fact, most visual artists are instinctively good and often go to art school to perfect their talent. Photographers, for example, may get a degree in photography from a four-year school, which allows them the time and opportunity to learn more about their art and sophisticate their craft.
Although not everyone goes to a university to work on their art, those who do attend schools such as the New York Academy of Art, The School of Visual Arts, or the Maryland Institute College of Art, just to name a few. For those graduates who do not attempt to live off of their art alone, often times pursue opportunities in design because it provides a bit more stability and financial security than trying to sell art. Others look for work with an established artist or work at gallery’s where they are surrounded by the artistic environment that supports their creativity, with the stability of a more traditional job.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the number of jobs for artists overall will grow about the same rate as job growth overall into 2014. While competition for jobs such as magazine photographers will remain competitive, those willing to invest the energy and sweat-equity into making their art earn a living for them; will find the most promising career opportunities. Of course, depending on their art, others may find positions easier than others. Photographers may see greater opportunity than a sculptor, especially because commercial photography can earn artists a great reputation and comfortable paycheck.
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