Studio Art Career Guide
Explore Options: A Menu of Major-Specific Experiences and Sampling of Related Career Paths
Academic Resources
Explore our studio art academic resources, designed to support your academic aspirations.
Curriculum Guide
Feeling like you don't know what to do with all of this great information? We highly encourage to make an appointment with your academic advisor and career advisor. Another great starting point is the Self-Guided Career Exploration Tool.
Career Resources
Unlock career potential in Studio Art! Discover resources to maximize your professional trajectory.
Menu of Experiences
Sample Studio Art Internship Sites
Internships provide a way for you to get hands-on, supervised experience in the world of work. You are able to apply the concepts you are learning in the classroom to a work environment.
Join A Student Organization
Get involved with a student organization related to your major. Student orgs are a great way to get connected and explore career options!
Relevant Courses and Certificates for Building Skills
Developing the relevant skills that employers seek is an essential component of a student's education. GVSU students should consider strategic elective courses and certificates to pair with their major in order to gain additional skills.
Community Service Opportunities
Seek volunteer opportunities related to the field you're exploring as a way of testing out future careers.
The Civic Engagement Center keeps a list of current volunteer opportunities updated on their website. There are ongoing opportunities on a continuous basis, as well as on-campus and off-campus opportunities posted as they become available.
Studio Art Abroad Options
Through study abroad you’ll also set yourself apart from other job-seekers and graduate-school applicants in an increasingly competitive market.
Imagine having access to pure paint pigments found in the local marketplace in Morocco or India. Imagine spending time analyzing the architecture in Europe, inspiring your own meticulous and ornate compositions. Imagine meeting artists from all over the world attending the same international institution as you. Studying abroad can give art students an opportunity to replenish or forward creative inspirations and techniques.
Undergraduate Scholar Engagement
Pursuing academic, creative, and research experiences and projects outside the classroom is an excellent way to learn new skills and build a body of work in your field.
The Center for Undergraduate Scholar Engagement (CUSE) provides opportunities for undergraduate research and scholarship.
Studio Art Career Spotlights
Where Alumni Have Landed
- Elementary Art Teacher – Rockford Public Schools
- Development Associate – Acton Institute
- Study Abroad Outreach Coordinator – Grand Valley State University
- Art Director – Extra Credit Projects
- Founder & Principal – Spring Forward Communications
- Design Director – brightly
- Social Media and Marketing Specialist– Reserve
- Merchandiser – DAFC of Imex Pan Pacific
- Director of Admission Services– Kendall School of Design
- Vice President – Redeeming Grace Ministries
- Graphic Designer – Tekton
- Graduate Student, Art Therapy – Wayne State University
- Creative Services Manager – Go Team Blue
- Associate Director of Events and Conferences– Hope College
- Director of Regional Sales – Zales Fine Jewelry
- Author/Illustrator/Puppeteer– West Michigan
- Project Coordinator – West Michigan Arts Council
- Painter – Saugatuck, MI
- Curriculum Director – Healing Arts for Youth
Attend Events
Employer Showcase: Mercantile Bank
January 23, 2025 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Employer Showcase: Green Pest Management
January 30, 2025 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Prepare for the Career Fair
February 10, 2025 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Employer Showcase: Total Quality Logistics
February 13, 2025 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Summer Job Fair
February 18, 2025 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Consider joining the Communications & the Arts Career Community or any other Career Community you are interested in!
Beyond Undergraduate: Graduate or Professional Programs
You've conquered the world of undergraduate studio art, congratulations! Now you're hungry for more, ready to refine your skills and delve deeper into the creative realm. Check out graduate school options for studio art majors.
- Master of Fine Arts (MFA): This is the terminal degree for studio artists, and it's designed to prepare you for a professional career as an artist, educator, or curator. MFA programs typically involve a strong focus on studio practice, along with coursework in art history, theory, and criticism.
- Master's in Arts Education: This degree is ideal if you're interested in teaching art at the college level or in a specialized setting. It combines studio art courses with education theory and pedagogy.
- Interdisciplinary Programs: There are a growing number of graduate programs that combine studio art with other fields, such as art therapy, museum studies, or digital media. These programs can be a great option if you're interested in a career that combines your artistic talents with another area of expertise.
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Career Center Resources
Looking for other career resources? The Career Center Resources page contains resources related to careers, resumes, internships, job search, interviewing, networking, and more.