Visual Arts Major Meets Career
Visual Arts alumnx continue to create and exhibit their art regionally and nationally. Equipped with many professional business skills, graduates find careers in art-related fields that support their dedication to art.
Discover Career Pathways for Visual Arts Graduates
Career Options
Dance
- Choreographer
- Dance Therapy
- Bringing dance to underserved populations through nonprofit initiatives and grant-funded opportunities
- Performing: contemporary, lyrical, ballet, hip-hop, jazz, tap, cultural specific dances
- Writing for dance companies / journals
- Teaching / working in dance history in institutions, cultural heritage sites, tourism, etc.
Writing
- Creative Writing such as novels, poetry, screenplays, scripts, cards, commercials, jingles, lyrics, commercial scripts, etc.
- Marketing/Advertising such as commercial scripts, jingles, blogs, content writing, feature writing, copyrighting (websites, products, brands, etc.)
- Freelance writing
- Technical writing
- Journalism i.e. investigative, photo, sports, editorial, online, etc.
Visual Art
- Traditional/fine visual art areas such as illustration, film, performance, installation, video
- Commercial art such as Graphic art, motion design, web design graphic novels, illustration
- Advertising/Marketing such as branding, logo design, story boards, animation, typography, art direction, layouts, packaging
- Museum work such as curating, restoration, conservation, collections, exhibitions, education, tours, history
Theater
- Performance
- Acting
- Be a part of a stage crew i.e. set design, management, direction, construction, lighting / sound
- Work in the media industry i.e. television, radio, video, etc.
- Technical direction i.e. camera opps, rigging, carpentry, etc.
- Behind the scenes creativity: casting, costume design, special effects, hair/make-up, wardrobe, props
Music
- Composing/Arranging
- Music and Program Direction
- Performance
- Advertising/commercial: voice overs, composition, sound mixing, post production, copyright
- Music composition, editing, licensing
Management/Business
- Entrepreneurial/freelance creative
- Marketing/Advertising: talent acquisition, product management, art direction, event planning, public relations, branding, media relations, etc.
- Publishing and Editing
- Producing & Recording
- Administration
- Retail
Education
- Teaching in an institution, private lessons, more formalized instruction, etc.
- Research re contemporary, innovative modalities and initiatives
Potential Employers
Dance
- Cultural organizations and arts councils
- Theaters and arts venues
- Self-employed/freelance
- Nonprofits
- Grant-funded initiatives
- Therapeutic & Wellness programs
- Ecstatic dance
- Yoga/embodiment organizations
- Festivals
- Dance companies, studios, and academies
- National Endowment for the Arts
- Performance organizations: dance, theater, broadway. touring, off-broadway, television, motion picture, commercials, music videos
- Tourism & recreation: cultural heritage sites, visitor centers, resorts, sporting events, amusement parks, cruise ships, etc.
Management/Business
- Advertising, public relation, marketing, design firms
- In-house creative departments
- Publishing companies
- Production companies
- Media industry i.e. Television, radio, motion picture
- Digital/tech/social media companies
- Retail
- Nonprofit agencies
- Grant-funded initiatives/projects
- Government agencies
Visual Art
- Art Museums
- Galleries
- Community centers
- Self-employed
- Studios
- Advertising agencies
- Public relation agencies
- Design firms
- Company marketing departments
- Publishing companies: magazines, newspapers, books
- Department stores
- Television and motion picture industry
- Internet media companies
- Governmental agencies
Education
- Schools: public, private, charter, Waldorf, universities, colleges
- Art, design, creative, performance-specific schools/universities
- Nonprofit/grant-funded initiatives
- Tourism agencies
- Government organizations
- Community centers
- Therapy/wellness organizations
- Hospitals
- Elderly care
- Rehabilitation centers
Writing
- In-house at an organization you love
- Freelance/entrepreneurial ventures
- Publishers i.e. magazines, newspapers, technical, academic publications
- Digital i.e. social media, websites, content creation, blog building companies
- Advertising/Marketing/PR organizations
- Broadcast media i.e. television, motion picture, radio companies including television
- Universities
- Government agencies
Music
- Self employed through hire or private instruction/performance
- Bands, groups, ensembles, orchestras, choirs, theaters, production companies
- Record company
- Media outlets: television, radio, motion picture, etc.
- Music agencies, production companies, recording studios, etc.
Theater
- Community, regional, commercial theaters
- Self-employed/ freelance
- Nonprofits
- Grant-funded initiatives
- Touring companies
- Marketing/Advertising: commercials, videos, etc.
- Tourism & recreation: cultural heritage sites, visitor centers, resorts, sporting events, amusement parks, cruise ships, etc.
Career Path Preparedness
Strategies for Success
- Sign up for the Internship class and complete an internship related to the psychology/counseling field. See the Career & Life Development office on MyNaropa for the full internship site list and for a variety of different organizations to get involved in.
- Get involved in school creative/performance groups & resources i.e. SUN, Naropa Circus Club, etc.
- Complete a service-learning project aligned with your career goals/path. See your COR professors & advisors for details.
- Align your classes, curriculum, research projects, and thesis/capstone projects with your career goals/path.
- Volunteer/familiarize yourself with organizations that align with your career goals & provide the opportunity for hands-on training.
- Earn a minor in a specialized field of interest.
- Get out and explore—immerse yourself in artistic skills and interests.
- Attend workshops, conferences, MeetUps, panels, etc., to build your network.
- Obtain skills in business, marketing, technology to increase employment and entrepreneurial options.
- Develop a variety of creative skills—become “multi-disciplinary” i.e. dance, singing, acting, art, design, fashion, etc.
- Cultivate resilience, patience, and determination in order to make your artistic dreams a reality. And most importantly—GET CONNECTED!
- A graduate degree, i.e. a Master of Fine Arts could be a great way to further your career in the creative and performing arts field.
- Understand and practice communicating the transferable and sought-after skills that differentiate you as an “artist” or “creative.”
Continuing Education
If you are interested pursuing a graduate degree, there are several things you will want to keep in mind while in your undergraduate studies:
- Academic work and the way you show up is VERY important. Put in your best effort academically and aim for a high grade point average.
- Relationships matter. REALLY matter. Build positive connections while in the Naropa community with faculty, staff, colleagues, etc. These relationships will continue to support you and you can ask those same people to provide recommendation letters for your graduate degree applications!
- Get experience! A lot of it. Either through academic, internship, volunteer or work opportunities. This will bolster your application and CV immensely!
Alumnx Spotlight
Getting connected with Naropa Alumnx is a great way to build your professional network and resources. Some ways to get involved are:
- Connect with Naropa’s Office of Development and the Alumnx Relations Officer at 303-546-3594 or nualumni@naropa.edu.
- Visit the Alumnx & Resources page.
- Reach out to Naropa Alumnx on Linkedln
- Attend Career & Life Development events and Alumnx panels
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