What Can I Do With a Major In Art?

We are here to help you
explore majors and careers!

Chelsea Ochoa wcidwami
Chelsea Ochoa
Career Counselor Liaison
Department of Art

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Explore this Major

Learn more about the art major. All liberal arts degrees help CLA students develop their Core Career Competencies, and art majors develop specific skills that are applicable to lots of different careers. These skills include the ability to work independently and collaboratively, creative problem-solving skills and specialized skills/techniques in a fine arts field.

Students who take the SuperStrong Interest Inventory receive a three-letter interest code, which identifies their top three areas of interest, work activities, potential skills, and personal values. The interest code "ASI" is often associated with this major, however, the SuperStrong assessment can help you understand how your interests connect to a variety of majors and career options. You can learn more about common employer types and occupations associated with this major. You can also see CLA specific examples of alumni careers below.

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Internship & Job Search Websites

Student Groups

Professional Organizations

Alumni Career Examples

Below is a small sampling of what alumni with this major have pursued, organized by the most common career fields they go into (although keep in mind that there are alumni in all eight of the career fields). You can also utilize the LinkedIn's Alumni Tool and the Maroon and Gold Network to further explore alumni career pathways and connect directly with professionals.

Click to expand each gray box below for opportunities pursued by alumni in this major! 

Arts

Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required

Internships

  • Design Intern - Midwest Visual Agency
  • Gallery Intern, Katherine E. Nash Gallery
  • Intern, In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre
  • Program Intern - Free Arts Minnesota
  • Curatorial Intern - Minnesota Museum of American Art
  • Art and Culture Studies Teacher, Unidad Educativa Pedro Luis Calero
  • Intern - Schumacher & Co.
  • Art Interpretation & Gallery Learning Intern, Weisman Art Museum
  • Curatorial Assistant, Minnesota Museum of American Art
  • Gallery Assistant Intern, The Soap Factory
  • Gallery & Education Intern, Third Street Gallery
  • History Day Mentor, Minnesota Historical Society
  • Studio Intern, Mark D. Roberts Studio
  • Art and Social Justice Intern, Pangea World Theater
  • Art Education Intern, Urban Arts Academy
  • Communications Intern, Intermedia Arts
  • Preservation Intern, Hennepin County Library
  • Studio Intern, Highpoint Center for Printmaking

Entry-Level

  • Filmmaker - Crash and Sue's
  • Exhibition Design - Renewing the Countryside
  • Hip Hop Specialist - YMCA
  • Artist Assistant - Ginny Herzog
  • Program Director - Minnesota Center for Photography
  • Events Planner and Social Media Communications - Potted Meet Mondays
  • Assistant Curator of Interpretation - George Eastman House
  • Creative Director - A.B. Isacon Associates
  • Assistant Curator - Victoria and Albert Museum
  • Video Production - Minneapolis Institute of Art
  • Photographic Technician - UW-Madison
  • Senior Designer - Riehl Design Inc.
  • Enrollment Specialist - Regency Beauty Institute
  • Freelance, Game Artist/Illustrator
  • Instructor - Westside YMCA
  • Senior Territory Manager and Field Training Advisor - Danaher

Experienced

  • Senior Designer - Rome Snowboard Design Syndicate
  • Substitute Visual Arts Instructor - Interact Center for the Visual and Performing Arts
  • Owner - Hip Hope
  • Art Director, Stylist and Prop Master
  • Program Coordinator - Free Arts Minnesota
  • Director and Curator - Montserrat College of Art Galleries
  • Copywriter - Greer & Associates
  • Exhibition Coordinator - Paper Darts Literary Magazine
  • Coordinator - Media Center: Visual Studies Workshop
  • Interior Designer - Sky Flower Designer
  • Self-Employed Artist
  • Senior Concept Artist - Futuredude Entertainment
  • Artist/Owner - Carolyn Singh Studio
  • Graphic Designer - Target
  • Freelance Makeup Artist
  • Hip Hop Dance and Graffiti Art - East Side Arts
  • Artist/ Owner - LJ Ceramics
  • Artist - Studio 145
  • Partnership Coordinator - Free Arts Minnesota
  • Co-Founder - Alter Projects
  • Senior Copywriter - Introworks
  • Independent Curator and Researcher - Decorative Arts and Design
  • Outreach Coordinator - Arts Council for Wyoming County
  • Interior Designer - The Sitting Room Distinctive Design and Boutique
  • Artist/Owner - Laudable Mud Studio
  • Director - KNOCK
  • Director of Product Development - Danaher
  • Independent Contractor - Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum

Graduate Programs

  • BFA, Graphic Design - Minneapolis College of Art and Design
  • International Dermal Institute
  • Aveda Institute
  • MA, Arts and Cultural Management
  • MA, History of Art
  • PhD, Humanities
Communications & Media

Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required

Internships

  • Graphic Design Intern - Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness
  • Design and Layout Editor - Ivory Tower Literary Magazine
  • Marketing & Design Intern, Marakita Firenze
  • Studio Assistant/Production Intern, Lala Abaddon

Entry-Level

  • Account Executive - Image Bank
  • News Anchor/Host/Reporter - HTV Houston
  • Project Manager - Fallon

Experienced

  • Creative Director - Err
  • Director of Sales - The Growler Magazine
  • Feature Reporter - KPRC-TV
  • Chief Marketing Officer - Hillcrest Media
  • News Reporter - KPRC TV
Business

Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required

Internships

  • Product Design and Development Intern, Target

Entry-Level

  • Customer Service Agent - Pearson VUE
  • Staffing Manager - Robert Half International
  • Wholesale Distribution - Electric Fetus
  • Systems Engineer, Network Services - Target
  • Production/Pre-Press Artist - Smart Set Inc.

Experienced

  • Marketing Planner - Target
  • Internal Sales Manager - Danaher
  • Lead Director - Elite Fashion Academy LA
  • Division Director - Robert Half International
  • Marketing Assistant - Dakota Jazz Club
  • IT Manager - Target*
  • Designer - C&G Partners
  • Marketing Operations Development Director - Target*
  • Director of Talent Acquisition - Land O' Lakes*
  • Copywriting and Social Media - MetroWize
  • Director of Creative Project Management - Target
  • Director of Business Development
  • Principal - Blasted Consulting

 

The College of Liberal Arts Career Services and the University of Minnesota has no control or responsibility for the: (a) quality or safety of any experiential learning opportunity/position descriptions or (b) the application, hiring practices, or EEO/AA status of any of the organizations listed here. We encourage students to use precaution when applying to, interviewing at, or participating in volunteer, internship, job, or research programs outside of the University. These opportunities are not affiliated with the University of Minnesota and have not been fully vetted.