Arts and Design

Working in arts and design is becoming an increasingly popular choice for graduates in Singapore despite the perceived insecurity of a career in this sector.

This sector encompasses a wide range of disciplines, including visual art, design, crafs and performing arts. Artsts can also apply their skills to the educaton and healthcare sectors as teachers or art therapists. On the other hand, designers can work in sectors such as fashion, advertsing and marketng.

A less publicised – but as important – area of work branching from this sector is the feld of arts management. Individuals who prefer a technical and conventonal role in this sector may choose to pursue this line of work.

You’ll need…

• Creatvity • Business acumen • To be an independent worker • Problem-solving skills • Persistence Types of jobs

• Visual arts: Artst, painter, sculptor, designer, craf worker, photographer • Performing arts: Actor, musician, dancer, choreographer, conductor, composer • Design: Graphic designer, interior designer, multmedia artst and animator, fashion designer • Arts management: Curator, talent management, fundraiser, museum/ gallery/theatre administrator • Technical: Make-up artst, lightng engineer, sound engineer, cameraperson, producton designer • Writng: Novelist, poet, scriptwriter, arts writer/critc • Community: Art therapy, art teacher/ lecturer, community arts facilitator

Job-hunting tips

• Networking is key as opportunites in this sector are typically found through wordof-mouth. Self-employment through freelancing is worth considering, partcularly if newcomers want to make use of the support and resources of organisatons such as the Natonal Arts

Council • For those seeking commercial success, a combinaton of creatvity and professionalism is crucial. Aspiring artsts must be able to market and brand themselves efectvely to interested partes or paymasters.

More enterprising individuals may even consider launching a start-up to monetse their own work

Work experience

Certain arts organisatons do ofer internships or work placement programmes. For developing artsts or crafspeople, the traditonal practce of being apprentced to a master or experienced artst is stll encouraged, although such an arrangement may be slightly more difcult to negotate here in the Lion City.

Nowadays, however, more artsts prefer to let their own works speak for themselves. As such, hopefuls should get involved with arts-related societes or student clubs while stll on campus, and work towards building, publishing and publicising their own personal portolio.

Did you know?

In response to the global coronavirus pandemic, the DesignSingapore Council launched the Good Design Research initatve to encourage design practitioners to adopt new systems and processes, and experiment with new materials, services and experiences. The Natonal Arts Council also established the Digital Presentaton Grant for the Arts to develop industry capabilites in producing digital art content, and allow partcipants to present their work digitally