The following is a list of job titles and descriptions of entry-level art positions open to graduates with a B.A. in art.

ANIMATOR

Creates movement for a visual still using illustration skills and computer applications. Most animation sequences are produced for films and entertainment; some are used for industry (i.e. creating logos for television networks or translating machinery drawings into three dimensions). Works for animation studios or on a freelance basis.

ART BUYER/CONSULTANT

Assists other people in buying art. Recruits clients, develops familiarity with wide variety of artistic styles, and maintains network of contacts among artists and gallery owners. Interviews clients about artistic preferences and presents options to them. Works for consulting firms or on freelance basis.

ART DIRECTOR, ADVERTISING

Creates a visual concept that can be developed into a successful print ad, television commercial, or sales campaign. Analyzes market research data and client specifications and works closely with copywriters. Creates layouts and presents to creative directors or possibly to clients. Works with an illustrator or photographer to develop a final visual. Works for advertising agencies.

ART DIRECTOR, EDITORIAL

Directs art and visuals for books, magazines and newspapers according to specified guidelines. Supervises layout and selects illustrators or photographers to execute the visual effects. Works for publishing companies.

ART TEACHER

Instructs students in art skills. Evaluates student artwork and offers constructive criticism and advice concerning future work. May help with curriculum planning. Works for public/private schools or community education programs.

BOOK DESIGNER

Organizes a book's format to establish a coherent flow and to make the text inviting to read by designing an aesthetically pleasing page within the restrictions of length, paper weight, and trim size. Chooses a typeface, designs a layout, and may create a book cover. Works for publishing companies.

CARTOONIST

Uses humorous illustration style to entertain or convey information. Works for comic book publishers, newspaper syndicates or on a freelance basis.

CORPORATE DESIGNER

Helps a company establish its identity through graphic representation. Works on a wide range of assignments, such as logo development, letterhead design, or illustrating brochures or annual reports. Works for variety of companies.

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Coordinates overall look of an advertising project. Works closely with art director and copywriter to ensure consistency of final product and adherence to deadlines. Works for advertising agencies.

CRITIC

Writes articles giving critical analysis of artwork, exhibitions or art-related issues. Usually writes on a freelance basis and supplements with teaching or museum work. Works for newspapers, magazines, museums or on freelance basis.

EXHIBITION DESIGNER

Designs displays and exhibits for events such as conventions, museum shows and supermarket promotions. Uses artistic design skills and knowledge of traffic flow and lighting to create original presentations of objects, ideas and information. Usually works on a freelance basis.

FINE ARTIST

Creates original artworks using a variety of mediums, such as sculpture, painting or ceramics. Sells work to individuals or organizations. Works on freelance basis.

FORENSIC ARTIST

Draws sketches of suspected criminals based on descriptive information from crime victims. Works closely with police officers and other law enforcement officials. Works for federal, state or local government.

GRAPHIC SYSTEMS DESIGNER

Develops symbols and signs to unify a building or public complex (i.e. shopping center, subway) and make it easier to navigate. Also works with architects to design interior and exterior environments. Works for architectural or design firms.

ILLUSTRATOR, ADVERTISING

Sells products or services by creating an appropriate image for the market the client is trying to reach. Considers headlines, copy, and visual ideas and makes a preliminary sketch. Works with art director to establish size and color limitations and completes illustrations by a specific deadline. Works for advertising agencies or on a freelance basis.

ILLUSTRATOR, EDITORIAL

Considers manuscript and visual ideas and makes a preliminary sketch. Works with art director to establish size and color limitations and completes illustrations by a specific deadline. Works for publishers or on a freelance basis.

INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER

Designs commercially produced products, ranging from electronics to toys. Works with corporations to style or package products that attract consumers. Acts as a negotiator between engineers and marketing representatives. Works for variety of companies.

MAGAZINE DESIGNER

Consults with editor and publisher on editorial objectives and the consumer market. Determines a format, selects typeface, and establishes approach toward photography and illustration. May redesign already established magazines. Usually works on a freelance basis.

PACKAGE DESIGNER

Designs packaging for variety of products. Often redesigns an existing package by changing color or type treatment or using graphics. Creates three-dimensional prototype to ensure package efficiency. Usually works on a freelance basis.

SKETCH ARTIST

Draws quick sketches and first drafts for print or live-action advertisements. Works for advertising agencies.

TELEVISION GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Designs images to introduce sports events, nightly news stories or specials. May use computer technology to produce charts, graphs or illustrations. Works for television studios.

TOY DESIGNER

Uses imagination and childlike perspective to create new toys. Researches safety standards, child psychology, production, packaging and promotion to create products that are safe, cost-effective and fun. Works for toy manufacturers.

TYPEFACE DESIGNER

Creates new typefaces, often using computer graphics. May modify existing typefaces by creating new weights and proportions or developing new logos for clients. Works for type manufacturers, design studios and advertising agencies.

Less Direct Career Options

The fit between academic training in art and job description is still very close. However, knowledge of art may be less pertinent to these positions, and a degree in art itself may or may not serve as a credential for employment.

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT ASSISTANT

Assists account executive in liaison between agency and its clients. Helps to coordinate and manage advertising campaigns based on client needs. Works for advertising agencies.

ADVERTISING MEDIA PLANNER

Determines the most cost-effective means of reaching a target market via print and broadcast media. Researches demographics of different media outlets and analyzes demographic and budgetary aspects of advertising proposals. Works for advertising agencies.

ARCHIVIST/HISTORIAN

Accesses and organizes records and documents. Conducts historical research to verify authenticity and significance of historical material. Conducts tours and presents lectures and historical topics. Works for libraries, museums and historical sites.

ARTS AND CRAFTS TRAINER

Teaches customers to complete arts and crafts projects using store merchandise. May train other employees. Works for arts and crafts stores.

ART SUPPLY STORE MANAGER

Maintains daily operations of store, including personnel, merchandising, accounting and customer service. Works for art supply or arts and crafts stores.

ASSISTANT CURATOR

Organizes special exhibitions. Conducts research for curator. Visits local artists to critique their work. Handles all administrative details relating to loan requests. Works for museums.

ASSISTANT PROGRAM SPECIALIST

Works for agencies that provide funding for the arts. Reviews applications for grants and monitors budgets. Assists in preparation of funding guidelines. Discusses eligibility with prospective applicants. Works for government or private funding agencies.

ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE

Manages professional and trade organizations. Provides services for their members. Holds meeting, publishes news about the profession, conducts conventions, and holds educational seminars. Also lobbies government agencies. Works for professional and trade organizations concerned with the arts.

BOOKSTORE MANAGER (MUSEUM)

Manages budget, accounting procedures and personnel for museum bookstore. Researches new publications and seeks resources relevant to museum collections. Works for museums.

CORPORATE CURATOR

Purchases artwork based on corporation guidelines. Decides appropriate placement of artwork and maintains record keeping system. Works for variety of corporations.

DEPARTMENT MANAGER

Runs expert department at an auction gallery, such as contemporary art or Impressionist paintings. Acquires items to sell, talks to collectors, appraises items for sale, supervises the sale, and prepares catalogs. Works for auction galleries.

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Designs and implements fund-raising strategy for museum. Supervises grants officer and membership officer. Coordinates special fund-raising activities, such as building appeals. Works with board of trustees. Works for museums.

DOCENT COORDINATOR

Recruits, trains and supervises volunteer museum lecturers. Schedules group visits by the public and provides specialized docent training for new exhibitions. Works for museums.

EDITOR (MUSEUM)

Supervises the creation of scholarly and educational publications, newsletters and press releases. Reads and revises materials and works closely with curator and public relations officers. Manages copyright procedures for museum publications. Works for museums.

EDITOR, ASSISTANT

Proofreads manuscripts, checks fact accuracy and research availability of photographs. Responds to reader mail and evaluates unsolicited manuscripts. Works for art magazines.

EDITOR, EXECUTIVE

Determines magazine's overall policy. Commissions specific articles from appropriate writers and reviews drafts. Represents publication to the community. Works for art magazines.

EDITOR, MANAGING

Determines content of each magazine issue. Coordinates writing of articles, works directly with designer, and supervises assistant editors. Plans a workable budget and supervises expenditures. Works for art magazines.

GALLERY DIRECTOR

Handles daily operations of art gallery according to owner's preferences. Supervises other employees and maintains direct contact with customers and artists. Works for art galleries.

GRANTS OFFICER

Processes grant applications to government agencies, foundations, and corporations. Maintains reference library of potential funding sources. Coordinates required information from other staff members. Conducts telephone interviews with potential funding bodies. Submits spending reports and required documentation to granting agency once funds are received. Works for museums.

HEAD OF OUTREACH EDUCATION

Works with curator to develop museum's policy to reach out to special populations, such as schoolchildren, the elderly or people with disabilities. Acts as a liaison with school administrators and teachers. Develops special curriculum for targeted populations. Organizes museum visits for community groups and ensures museum is accessible to patrons with disabilities. Works for museums.

HEAD OF PUBLIC PROGRAMMING

Plans, organizes and implements lectures, workshops and other academic events for museum. Monitors curatorial planning and researches current issues relevant to museum's mission. Tailors programs for diverse audiences and locates appropriate guest speakers. Maintains network of contacts among art historians, artists and critics. Works for museums.

INFORMATION COORDINATOR

Assists with daily operations of public relations department, including answering journalists' questions, arranging tours and preparing press releases. Works for auction galleries.

MEMBERSHIP OFFICER

Recruits new museum members and plans special members' events, such as classes, films and lectures. Writes informational brochure for prospective members and uses marketing techniques for ongoing promotions. Delivers presentations to community groups. Coordinates special volunteer committees. Works for museums.

PRINT PUBLISHER

Produces prints of an artist's work. Compiles a portfolio and sells it to galleries and collectors. Acts as liaison with printer. Works on freelance basis.

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT (MAGAZINE)

Helps designer with technical aspects of putting together a magazine. Organizes all needed materials and produces a physical paste-up. Acts as a liaison with printer. Works for magazine publishers.

PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Works for agencies that provide funding for the arts. Manages cluster of related activities within an agency, such as museum education or contemporary art. Manages group of program specialists. Serves as agency spokesperson and monitors budget expenditures. Works for government or private funding agencies.

PROGRAM SPECIALIST

Works for agencies that provide funding for the arts. Supervises assistant program specialists. Assesses needs and trends in specific program area. Chooses panelists to evaluate grant applications. Notifies all applicants once funding decision is made. Supervises disbursement of funds to grant recipients. Works for government or private funding agencies.

PUBLICATIONS MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE

Conducts market research, advertises and sells books, and exposes authors to the public. Works for book publishers specializing in art.

PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER

Works for agencies that provide funding for the arts. Communicates goals of agency to general public and relevant governmental bodies. Prepares and distributes press releases, publishes newsletter and produces annual report. Gives presentations to community arts organizations. Holds press conferences. Works for government or private funding agencies.

PUBLICIST

Publicizes auctions for a gallery. Prepares all publicity for upcoming sales. Supervises information coordinators. Maintains contacts with members of the press. Works for auction galleries.

PUBLIC RELATIONS ASSISTANT (MUSEUM)

Disseminates information to the press and the general public. Maintains accurate schedule of deadlines and maintains archives of press clippings. Locates supplementary materials for the press. Works for museums or galleries.

PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER (MUSEUM)

Develops positive profile for the museum through relations with newspapers, radio and television. Writes and provides the press with news releases. Edits newsletters and consults with curators and membership officers. Organizes press conferences.

REGISTRAR

Maintains files on museum collections. Supervises shipping of incoming and outgoing loans. Ensures artworks' storage and maintenance. Uses knowledge of law regarding gifts and copyrights if needed. Works with insurance agent to develop a policy for museum and handles all insurance claims. Works for museums or galleries.

TYPE DIRECTOR

Selects type style for advertising materials. Tests typographic arrangements and sets type for finished layouts and finished ads. Works for advertising agencies.

Indirect Career Options

At first glance, the jobs listed may not to have little to do with the study of art. Yet there is a connection. The primary skills required in these jobs overlap substantially with some of the skills an art major normally acquires.

ACADEMIC ADVISOR/COUNSELOR

Advises students at all levels on selection of courses and majors. Works for universities.

AIRLINE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

Executes reservations, ticketing, telephone and direct ticket sales, passenger ticketing, and boarding. Responds to complaints and requests for information. Works for airline companies.

ALUMNI AFFAIRS COORDINATOR

Produces educational programs, social events and special tours for alumni. Writes alumni publications. Coordinates fund raising and reunion activities. Works for universities.

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS OFFICER

Recruits and selects prospective students. Creates promotional materials and makes presentations on and off campus. Sets admissions criteria, reviews applications and communicates with applicants. Works for colleges and universities.

COLLEGE DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

Creates and implements program to raise funds through corporate and alumni contributions. Works for universities.

DEMONSTRATOR/EXHIBITOR

Exhibits and demonstrates merchandise and products, usually to promote sales. Displays product and explains features to customers. May travel extensively. Works for variety of manufacturers.

FILM PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

Arranges and coordinates rehearsals and filming under supervision of directors and producers. Arranges for props and set, books rehearsal space, schedules travel, and edits and distributes scripts. Works for film producers.

HOUSING AND STUDENT LIFE COORDINATOR

Administers housing services and produces special programs to promote positive interaction on campus. Works for universities.

LOBBYING ORGANIZER

Distributes materials and disseminates information about a particular issue or organization. Recruits volunteers, solicits funds, and organizers such efforts as rallies, letter writing campaigns and voter registration drives. Works for special interest groups or professional lobbyists.

LOBBYING RESEARCHER

Identifies information that can be used to support the positions and the efforts of lobbyists. Involves library research, attendance at conferences and committee meetings, and writing reports. Works for variety of special interest groups or professional lobbyists.

MARKET RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Undertakes preliminary research for a market study. Gathers data concerning competitors' products and organizes existing sales records. Assists in writing final project reports. Works for market research firms, advertising agencies, manufacturers and retailers.

OFFICE MANAGER (MUSEUM)

Coordinates daily operations of museum, including bill payment, correspondence, accounting and computer maintenance. May supervise other staff members or assist in grant application process. Works for museums or galleries.

PARALEGAL

Performs preparatory work required to research a case. Develops documentation required to write a brief. May interview prospective witnesses. Works for law firms, prosecutors and public defenders.

POLITICAL CAMPAIGN WORKER

Assists in planning, fund raising, research, writing issue statements, canvassing and assessing voter attitudes. Works for candidates or interest groups during political election campaigns.

RADIO/TELEVISION PROGRAM ASSISTANT

Works with directors and producers to arrange for props and set, to distribute and edit scripts, to schedule and supervise rehearsals, and to carry out other support functions. Works for radio and television producers.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES ADVISOR

Administers various activities for college student, usually extracurricular. Examples of positions include fraternity/sorority advisor, foreign student advisor and student publication advisor. Works for universities.

TOUR GUIDE

Organizes and conducts tours and itineraries for groups of people. Shows exhibits, makes commentary, gives explanations and answers questions about itineraries. Works for tour companies, travel agencies, hotels or on freelance basis.

TRAVEL AGENT

Counsels clients regarding travel plans and activities. Makes hotel, airline, train, car and other arrangements for those traveling for business or pleasure. Works for travel agency or on freelance basis.

TRAVEL CONSULTANT

Provides travel advice and information to people planning trips. Helps travelers to resolve questions and problems that arise on a trip. Works for travel clubs, state and local tourist bureaus, resorts, travel associations, credit card companies and tour groups.

*Source: University of Texas, Art & Art History Department