Artist - Leisure and Entertainment- On The Job

Arts Administrator or Manager
Painter (Fine/Visual Arts)
Potter and Ceramic Artist
Sculptor

Artists create visual and three-dimensional forms using painting, drawing, printmaking, carving, sculpting, photography, modelling, film-making, music, acting, dancing, video and computers to communicate an impression or idea. Also known as Art Practitioner and Visual Artist.

Artists conceive and create visual representations to investigate, respond to or communicate an impression or idea.

An artist may be concerned with the production of two-dimensional or three-dimensional forms, employing a number of methods such as painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture and ceramics to realise their ideas. They may also use film, digital technology and performance techniques and forms.

Specialisation: Performance artist

A performance artist uses their own or other people's physical attributes to create a performance. They use their body as the site and material of their art practice. Through action and spectacle performance and live art, artists may explore ideas of process, experience and production. The performance may be scripted or unscripted and can include audience participation.

The performance is occasionally enhanced by the use of props or visual aids to enhance the artistic impact.

Knowledge, skills and attributes

artistic ability
good hand-eye coordination
creativity
self-discipline
promotional skills
knowledge of business/management skills, if self-employed.

Working conditions

Artists may concentrate on a specific area of work or may use a combination of these techniques. They work in studios and may share rented space with other artists.

Did You Know?

Sculpture with Skin

Jo Bain hails from a long line of taxidermists and from a very early age he knew he wanted a career in taxidermy too.

At fifteen he joined the South Australian Museum where he's still employed to this day.

He's worked on everything from blue whales to tiny spiders and 500 million year old fossils. In this feature we meet Jo in his basement workshop and he explains his passion for preserving dead creatures in a way that shows their natural power and beauty.

For him, taxidermy isn't just the craft of stuffing things; it's an art-form which he calls 'sculpture with skin'. Jo shows us what he has in his acid bath and takes us into his walk-in freezer to see what's on the shelves. He also tells us some stories about the first taxidermist at the museum, George Beazley, a troubled man who left secret messages inside some of the animals he preserved. (Source: ABC: RN: Earshot, 2015)

A painter (fine/visual arts) conceives and develops ideas for paintings, drawings, designs or installations. Painters select a medium such as oil, watercolour, pencil, pastel, acrylic or ink and prepare surfaces such as canvas, paper or board to produce designs or illustrations for publications. FutureGrowthModerate Painters mix or apply colours using appropriate techniques while taking into account the relationships of line, colour, design and form. Painters may run workshops and oversee community arts projects.

Artists become renowned for their individual techniques and in some cases have created dynamic artistic movements based on their original style. Pablo Picasso is remembered for his cubism, and Salvador Dali began the surrealist movement.

Artist Painter

Duties and Tasks

Conceives and develops ideas, designs and styles for paintings and drawings.
Arranges objects, positions models, and selects landscapes and other visual forms according to chosen subject matter.
Selects artistic media, method and materials.
Applies media to surfaces using appropriate techniques.

Education and training/entrance requirements

You need a high level of artistic skill to work as a Painter (Visual Arts). Formal qualifications might be useful but aren't essential. VET (Vocational Education and Training) and university are both common study pathways for Painters (Visual Arts).

Sculptor/Installation Artist - conceives and develops a concept or design for a sculpture or installation project.

Sculptor/installation artists may sketch designs and then decide on the material, techniques and the space where the sculpture or installation is to be exhibited. They often make models using wax or FutureGrowthModerate plaster and then carve, model or assemble materials to the desired form using hand or power tools. They may also fire clay objects in kilns and prepare moulds for casting sculptures in metal.

A sculptor's media may include: marble, sandstone, chisels, clay, wax & bronze for casting a sculpture, wood, steel and many other found materials.

Sculpting (or modelling) is an ancient artform that dates back to stone-age times. Modern sculpting can involve complicated procedures that involve a complex knowledge of materials.

Duties and Tasks

Conceives and develops ideas, designs and styles for sculptures.
Sketches designs of proposed sculptures, and makes wax and plaster models.
Devises forms from metal using welding and metalworking equipment, and from stone using masonry tools.
Carves and forms materials to desired shape using hand and power tools.

David in Florence Education and training/entrance requirements

Sculptor

Potters or Ceramic Artists conceive and create functional or artistic articles by moulding clay, glass and other fusible materials using hand-building and wheel techniques. FutureGrowthModerate

Duties and Tasks

Selects artistic media, method and materials.
Moulds clay into functional and artistic articles by wheel-throwing, moulding and hand-building.
Mixes glazing materials and applies glazes to dried pottery by dipping and painting.
Places finished and decorated pieces in kilns.

Education and training/entrance requirements

You need a high level of skill in your artistic medium to work as a Potter or Ceramic Artist. Formal qualifications might be useful but aren't essential. VET (Vocational Education and Training) and university are both common study pathways for Potters and Ceramic Artists.

Did You Know?

When young and poor, Pablo Picasso one of the world's most famous artists, kept warm by burning his own paintings!

It was lucky, then, that he produced 13,500 paintings, 100,000 prints and engravings, 34,000 book illustrations and 300 works of sculpture and ceramics

Picasso on stamp

Arts Administrators or Managers plan, organise, direct, control, coordinate and promote artistic and cultural policies, programs, projects and services and make sure they are successful. In a senior arts administration role, you may also manage artistic and cultural venues such as theatres and art galleries.

Specialisations: Art Gallery Director, Community Arts Centre Manager, Cultural Centre Manager.

As an arts administrator you could work for many different types of organisations, including:

theatres or art galleries
museums
music festivals or concert venues
opera houses or dance companies
community and disability arts
regional arts board or local authorities.

Knowledge, skills and attributes

To become an arts administrator, you would need:

a general interest in the arts, or a particular branch such as theatre, dance or sculpture
administration and computer skills
good written and spoken communication skills
the ability to organise and prioritise work
problem solving skills
good time-management skills
able to relate to people of diverse backgrounds
good organisational and management skills
able to handle finances
able to work under pressure and to deadlines
able to work varying hours
appreciation of the role of the arts in the community

Arts Administrator
(Source: Your Career)

Duties and Tasks

Selects items for display/presentation.
Arranges finance for show/production.
Selects the director and technical personnel and, in consultation with the director, auditions and selects cast.
Establishes operating budgets and production schedules.
Determines treatment and scope of production or display.
Supervises production and suggests or approves change in script or presentation
booking venues and artists
working with all types of local arts bodies
negotiating sponsorship and funding deals
coordinating publicity and ticket sales
writing for promotional publications or websites
marketing activities through social media
organising security and catering
managing budgets and keeping records
carrying out general administration
seek sponsorship and funding from federal, state, territory and local governments as well as community and industry organisations
prepare and submit funding applications
negotiate with artists and performers regarding contracts
coordinate arts programmes
coordinate sound and lighting, stage management and security, box office sales, distribution and sale of publications, public relations and catering
take part in the commissioning and purchasing of works of art
organise and promote exhibitions and events
help to develop and implement the organisation's strategic plans and marketing strategies
manage the organisation's human and financial resources, including budget preparation
provide an appropriate working environment for employees
liaise with the media
provide education services to the public
make recommendations on cultural grants
ensure compliance with corporate and legal requirements
provide support in policy development and report to the board of directors

In small galleries and arts centres you could be involved in the day-to-day running of the centre. In larger organisations, such as arts boards, you may specialise in one area, for example marketing, public relations or education.

Education and training/entrance requirements

Either extensive experience or a bachelor degree in arts is needed to work as an Arts Administrator or Manager. Many Arts Administrators and Managers complete postgraduate studies.

Employment Opportunities

Arts administrators may work for national performing arts companies, local councils, regional community arts centres, museums, galleries, orchestras and entrepreneurial organisations such as concert and theatrical promoters. They also work for government departments and funding organisations such as the Australia Council for the Arts. Some are self-employed, while others work in partnerships.

Opportunities will vary depending on the level of activity in the arts and media industries in regional and metropolitan centres. The long-term job prospects for arts administrators are affected by the level of government funding and corporate sponsorship.