Do you need an academic education for an art or craft career?

The answer is yes and no. Your choice of major, natural skills and talents, and skills with tools guide your decision for academic or informal learning.

Are you an artist, craftsman or artisan?

Artist: A human being who designs and makes original works of art using his God-given gifts of creativity, insight, and wisdom. Examples of classical arts include painting, sculpture, and music.

A college degree helps enhance artistic talents, employment networking, and exposure to a variety of art categories. Professional art educators, photography, film and theater business, and art director are examples of special careers that need a degree.

Craftsman: This person has craft skills to make crafts that are mass-produced for the public. Examples include cabinet building, auto parts, and kitchenware production. Craftsmen work with a variety of tools.

Read and study textbooks, trade magazines, and videos. Other learning options include online instruction, trade or vocational schools, and on-the-job training. You can do an apprenticeship or internship within a family business or with another business partner. These informal learning spots are ideal for hobbyists, crafters, or experimentation.

Craftsman: A craftsman is an artist and a craftsman. This person creates an object from an imaginative idea, designs it and makes the piece with their hands. The original or unique handicraft products from him are both aesthetic and practical. Examples include pottery, leather goods, and jewelry.

Craftsmen and artists improve their knowledge by attending schools, colleges or universities specializing in arts and crafts. US government statistics show that there are more job opportunities available for those with college or university degrees than for the self-taught.

Another educational option is to learn a specific occupational course that results in a certification. They can award points for taking a certified course and apply them toward future college credit.

Additional skills:

Regardless of art or craft education, other skills are needed in order not to become “a starving artist.”

These include:

  1. Advertising, marketing and sales techniques.

  2. General business knowledge

  3. bookkeeping and accounting

  4. Knowledge of tools and experience for your artistic or craft interests.

  5. Skills: communication, technical, organizational, management

  6. Investigation

Work ideas:

  1. Visual effects in video games, movies, television and smartphones

  2. Creation of websites and other media platforms.

  3. 3D model makers

  4. welder

  5. cake decorator

  6. Photographer

  7. museum curator

  8. cabinetmaker

  9. event coordinator

  10. stylist

There are thousands of job opportunities for artists and craftsmen. The list of arts and crafts is long, and for this reason, it helps to know your first, second, and third choice when selecting a career.

USA.gov, the Occupational Outlook Handbook indicates that 37,000 new arts and trades jobs are being added.