Employment is projected to grow
about as fast as the 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 12 percent through 2018, about as fast
as the average for all occupations. An increasing reliance on artists to create
digital or multimedia artwork will drive growth.
Art directors will see an increase in jobs in advertising due to demand for
the overall vision they bring to a project. However, declining opportunities in
publishing will hold down job growth. With many magazines moving to an
online-only format, art directors are used less in this field.
Demand for illustrators who work on a computer will increase as media
companies use more detailed images and backgrounds in their designs. However,
illustrators and cartoonists who work in publishing may see job opportunities
decline as newspapers continue to cut staffs. Many are instead opting to post
their work on political Web sites and online publications. 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 need for computer graphics in the growing number of mobile
technologies. The demand for animators is also increasing in alternative areas
such as scientific research and design services. Some lower priority animation
has been offshored, negatively affecting employment of animators.
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.
Multimedia artists and animators should have better job opportunities than other
artists but still will experience competition. 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 intense, as will competition for grants
from sponsors such as private foundations, State and local arts councils, and
the National Endowment for the Arts. Because of their reliance on grants, and
because the demand for artwork is dependent on consumers having disposable
income, many of these artists will find that their income fluctuates with the
overall economy.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor,
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition
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Artist Income
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