The world of arts offers many unconventional career paths beyond the traditional professions. In this article, we explore ten such paths, from art therapy and ethnomusicology to virtual reality art and street art. Creative directors provide vision to an organization while curators oversee museum collections. Graphic facilitators create visual aids for various fields, and writers evoke powerful emotion through storytelling. Artistic directors lead performing arts organizations, and artisans craft one-of-a-kind handmade objects. By pushing beyond established notions of art and creativity, pursuing an unconventional career path can be incredibly rewarding.
10 Unconventional Career Paths in The Arts
If you have a passion for the arts, there are countless career paths to explore beyond the traditional professions of musician, actor or painter. Nowadays, there are unconventional careers that intertwine art and technology, activism, and even healthcare. Here are ten unconventional career paths in the arts you might want to consider:
1. Art Therapist
Art therapy uses creative techniques to help people express themselves and work through mental health issues. As an art therapist, you would work with clients to help them explore their emotions through painting, drawing, or other art forms.
2. Ethnomusicologist
Ethnomusicologists study the cultural and social aspects of music. They research the music of different cultures, analyzing the history, instruments, and rituals associated with various musical traditions.
3. Creative Director
Creative directors are responsible for the overall vision of a company or organization. They oversee the creative process and manage a team of designers, writers, and other artists to ensure that the company’s vision is coherent.
4. Graphic Facilitator
Graphic facilitators create visual aids to help people understand complex ideas or information. They may work in business, education, or activism, creating materials like infographics or visual notes that help their clients communicate more effectively.
5. Virtual Reality Artist
Virtual reality artists work on producing 3D visuals for virtual reality experiences. They create everything from landscapes to interior spaces for virtual reality environments, immersing the user in an alternate reality.
6. Museum Curator
Museum curators oversee collections of artwork, artifacts or other items at museums, galleries, and libraries. They work to acquire new pieces for their collections, manage existing items, and organize exhibits for public viewing.
7. Creative Writer
Creative writers include novelists, poets, screenwriters and playwrights. As a creative writer, you must excel in writing to tell a great story or express deep emotions that evoke a particular response from the reader.
8. Artistic Director
An artistic director provides leadership to a performing arts organization, choosing scripts, selecting and developing talent and overseeing the production of plays and shows.
9. Street artist
Street artists use public spaces like walls or sidewalks to create artistic works. They might create murals, graffiti or other types of street art. They use urban environments to express their artistic skills and create a visual impact on passersby.
10. Artisan
Artisans are skilled craftspeople who focus on creating handmade, one-of-a-kind objects. They work with all kinds of materials, from textiles to metalwork, designing and creating unique products that stand out from mass-produced items.
The above careers show that there is much to explore in the world of arts outside of the traditional career paths. Whether it is art therapy, virtual reality production, or street art, there will always be a place for creativity and innovation. While pursuing an unconventional path can be challenging, it can also be incredibly rewarding for those willing to push beyond the boundaries of established notions of art and creativity.
