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Job outlook for Art directors, Fine Artists, Craft Artists and Multi-media Artists
Employment of artists is projected to grow faster
than average. Competition for jobs is expected to be keen for both salaried and
freelance jobs in all specialties because the number of people with creative
ability and an interest in this career is expected to continue to exceed the
number of available openings. Despite the competition, employers and individual
clients are always on the lookout for talented and creative artists.
Employment change. Employment of
artists and related workers is expected to grow 16 percent through 2016,
faster than the average for
all occupations.
Demand for illustrators who work on a computer will
increase as Web sites use more detailed images and backgrounds in their designs.
Many cartoonists, in particular, opt to post their work on political Web sites
and online publications. Cartoonists often create animated or interactive images
to satisfy readers’ demands for more sophisticated images. The small number of
medical illustrators will also be in greater demand as medical research
continues to grow.
Demand for multimedia artists and animators will
increase as consumers continue to demand more realistic video games, movie and
television special effects, and 3D animated movies. Additional job openings will
arise from an increasing demand for Web site development and for computer
graphics adaptation from the growing number of mobile technologies. Animators
are also increasingly finding work in alternative areas such as scientific
research or design services.
Job prospects. Competition for jobs
as artists and related workers will be
keen because there are more
qualified candidates than available jobs. Employers in all industries should be
able to choose from among the most qualified candidates.
Despite the competition, studios, galleries, and
individual clients are always on the lookout for artists who display outstanding
talent, creativity, and style. Among craft and fine artists, talented
individuals who have developed a mastery of artistic techniques and skills will
have the best job prospects. Multi-media artists and animators should have
better job opportunities than other artists, but still will experience
competition. Job opportunities for animators of lower-technology cartoons could
be hampered as these jobs continue to be outsourced overseas.
Despite an expanding number of opportunities, art
directors should experience keen competition for the available openings. Craft
and fine artists work mostly on a freelance or commission basis and may find it
difficult to earn a living solely by selling their artwork. Only the most
successful craft and fine artists receive major commissions for their work.
Competition among artists for the privilege of being shown in galleries is
expected to remain acute, as will competition for grants from sponsors such as
private foundations, State and local arts councils, and the National Endowment
for the Arts.
The growth in computer graphics packages and stock
art Web sites is making it easier for writers, publishers, and art directors to
create their own illustrations. As the use of this technology grows, there will
be fewer opportunities for illustrators. However, it also has opened up new
opportunities for illustrators who prefer to work digitally. Salaried
cartoonists will have fewer job opportunities because many newspapers and
magazines increasingly rely on freelance work.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor,
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition
Find related resources below:
Artist Income
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