Visual Arts Strategies

• Gain relevant experience through internships or volunteer positions in museums or galleries (e.g. Carroll Arts Council, BMA, etc.).
• Participate in juried shows and exhibitions.
• Maintain an up-to-date physical and digital portfolio of your work.
• Gain additional skills and experience through an apprenticeship, internship or volunteer position with a professional artist or organization.
• Secure guild membership.
• Learn to network and make contacts.
• Gain relevant experience through part-time jobs and internships.
• Obtain summer or part-time experience with book, magazine or newspaper publishers.
• Develop attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.
• Supplement the program's coursework with course work in advertising or business.
• Develop proficiency with photo editing software.
• Volunteer with fundraising efforts for the arts.
• Gain valuable experience through volunteering, internships, part-time and summer jobs, and apprenticeships.
• Conduct informational interviews with professionals in areas of interest to learn more about opportunities and strategies for these areas. Learn to network.
• Develop skills in business management, computers, marketing and other related areas to increase marketability.
• Develop your knowledge and understanding of business principles. More than half of all professional artists are self-employed.
• Apprentice with a freelancer.
• Volunteer to assist gallery director in hanging exhibitions on campus.
• Participate in art clubs, juried shows and exhibitions, including Carroll's Student Exhibition.
• Volunteer to teach drawing, painting and visual arts in local senior centers or nursing homes.
• Join art related professional associations to learn about opportunities, competitions and networking with other artists:
  • American Art Therapy Association
  • American Craft Council
  • American Institute of Graphic Arts
  • American Society of Media Photographers
  • Animation World Network
  • Association of Medical Illustrators
  • College Art Association
  • National Cartoonists Society
  • The Society of Illustrators

General Strategies

• Earn good grades. Grades are an indicator of technical competence and of a person's work ethic.
• Attend programs and activities sponsored by the Creative Arts Area of Study and related Areas of Study.
• Attend a resume, social media, or personal branding workshop on campus.
• Develop leadership skills through participation in student organizations (e.g. Campus Activities Board, SGO, etc.).
• Network: Talk with people working in the field or affiliated with arts organizations to find out about jobs and opportunities. Join professional groups to make contacts.
• Follow blogs or websites of creative professionals you admire.
• Participate in leadership programs like the Leadership Challenge/Advanced Leadership Challenge.
• Participate in service-learning events through classes or one-day volunteer programs (e.g. Cold Weather Shelter, Westminster Clean-up, etc.) either through the college or in the community.