Artist jobs are not just confined to the following:
- Mural painting
- Photography
- Caricature artists
- Sculptors
- Musicians
- Acting
- Tattoo artists
- Writers
- Dancing
- Gallery owners or museum directors
- Fashion designers
- Cartoonists
- Painters like Picasso
In fact, many artistic jobs can include the following but definitely are not limited to:
- Commercial/residential painters
- Landscape designers
- Gardeners
- Engineers
- Architects
- Interior designers
- Wood working
- Construction
- Event planning
- Content writers (like myself)
- Graphic designers
- Web designers
- Culinary arts
- Content creators for websites, blogs, and social media
- Creative/Art directors in advertising
- Animation
- Multimedia arts and sciences
- Gaming art and design
- Jewelry design and creation
- Jingle writing for commercials
When I was a little girl, I had a deep passion for music (still do today). My plan was that, when I grew up, I wanted to be a rock star like Pat Benatar or Prince. I set out to learn many instruments, such as percussion, guitar, and piano. While I don’t have a voice like Pat’s, nor am I a virtuoso at playing hundreds of instruments like Prince, I do have a nice rock-blues voice and a knack for writing lyrics.
When I was about four years old, I would set up a stage in my bedroom, put on my favorite vinyl on my Fonzie record player, and sing along, imagining I was performing in front of an audience.
To take it a step further, when my best friend and I were eight and nine years old, we started a band named “Hot Stuff” (ha, ha, ha). We sold tickets to the neighborhood kids for a quarter ($0.25) each and held concerts at the playground, singing from the top of the slide.
However, I did not grow up to be a famous artist. Instead, I earned a bachelor’s degree in communications with a focus on public relations from the University of Michigan. Basically, I learned how to write, speak in public, and relationship marketing. Today, I am a writer for a living. Not writing song lyrics but still earning a paycheck for doing what I enjoy – I can still practice my music on the side!
One of the coolest things I learned from my boss/mentor is that being an artist does not mean that you have to be a starving one. Instead, change your thoughts to being among “Prosperous Artists” who do not have to be among the poorest of the poor in order to have a career as artists. In the early 2000’s, he had a podcast discussing this very idea.
These prosperous artists are making a living and a great one at that, as there are many ways for an artist to earn an income. It takes thinking outside of the box as well as not being afraid to try new things, and it is possible!
While we earn a paycheck, we are free to continue creating whatever art form we are passionate about.
Is Michigan a good place for creatives to work
Short answer – yes! Whether in Detroit or Ann Arbor’s thriving art districts, working in marketing/advertising or any of the other creative industries I mentioned above, we have wonderful opportunities for creatives.
In an effort not to undermine the vibrant creatives living and working in the Detroit/Ann Arbor professional market, I would like to point out that there is also a high concentration of tech jobs in creative technology. Earlier in my career, I spent a lot of time networking in the Detroit and Ann Arbor markets. I volunteered as a board member for professional groups such as:
- Automation Alley
- Ann Arbor Ad Club (local chapter of the American Advertising Federation)
- Motor City Connect (MCC)
- University Event Planners
- American Marketing Association (AMA)
- Direct Marketing Association of Detroit (dMAD)
Furthermore, while I was a student at U of M, I served as a board member of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), a student chapter of the PRSA.
There are simply no shortages of groups we can seek support from as Michiganders. Additionally, because we are the Motor City capital of the world, Ford Motor Company has its headquarters in Dearborn, just outside Detroit, where General Motors (GM) also has its headquarters.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation explains how Ford has focused funding in the downtown Detroit area with the creation of the Michigan Central Innovation District. “The company bought the historic Michigan Central Train Station in 2018 to act as an anchor for the 30-acre campus to act as a hub for talent, mobility innovation, entrepreneurship, sustainability, affordable housing, small business opportunities and community engagement,”.
They go on to share this, “The Detroit area is becoming a center of competence for user experience technology and many of the suppliers that exist in Silicon Valley now have representation in Michigan,”.
What is the career outlook for artists?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Workers in this group (Arts and Design Occupations) create products and concepts that have practical or aesthetic purposes.
Overall employment in arts and design occupations is projected to grow slower than the average for all occupations from 2024 to 2034. Despite limited employment growth, about 84,900 openings are projected each year, on average, in these occupations largely due to the need to replace workers who leave the occupations permanently.
The median annual wage for this group was $53,180 in May 2024, which was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $49,500.
- Art Directors
- Craft and fine artists Craft and Fine Artists
- Fashion designers
- Floral designers
- Graphic designers
- Industrial designers
- Interior designers
- Set and Exhibit Designers
- Multimedia artists and animators
- Special Effects Artists and Animators,”.
Personally, I feel it is all about your mindset in shaping your career outlook, no matter what industry you work in – especially in the creative fields. For example, I have always shared with my sons since they were little boys: follow your heart, and the money will follow. So far, that has been my experience. I may not be wealthy in the traditional sense, but as a good friend of mine says, “I have what I want, and I want what I have.” Gratitude, my friends!
Artistic jobs
In conclusion, it does not matter if your passion is painting, designing, or writing; artistic careers are more diverse and financially viable than ever. Remember to follow your heart, think creatively, and the opportunities will find you.