Fine Art CAREER INSIGHT
LJMU CAREERS TEAM 0151 231 2048/3719 ❚ careers@ljmu.ac.uk
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Career Insight: Fine Art
Introduction There are many opportunities for contemporary artists who are building their own professional practice. You may be able to apply for grants, and supplement your income by running workshops for galleries and museums, taking up residencies, working collaboratively with other artists and artists groups, managing projects within the cultural sector and curating exhibitions and shows. In addition, Fine Art graduates can pursue a broad range of career directions, from teaching to graduate management roles to media and advertising. The creative arts sector has plenty to offer Fine Art graduates including roles in art galleries and museums, theatre, film and crafts.
How you can use the skills you develop Whilst studying, it is a good idea to compile a large and varied portfolio of work with which to showcase your technical and creative talents. The theoretical side of your degree will enable you to put your work into context, explaining your influences, the reasoning behind your choice of subjects and why you used certain materials. Art is often a solitary pursuit so you should also have a good idea of how to motivate yourself and research ideas, materials and equipment. Fine art graduates often specialise in a particular form of art such as painting, drawing, installations, sculpture or printmaking but finding regular work or a permanent job as an artist is not easy. You may also wish to consider self-employment, short-term residencies or commissions. It can take time to establish yourself as an artist whilst building up a credible portfolio. The artistic flair of fine art graduates is also recognised in business where the visual image is paramount, such as advertising and marketing, exhibition design, publishing and illustrating. If you are interested in a more socially and educationally focused career, you might want to consider teaching, art therapy and working for community arts projects, also arts administration and management can give an alternative perspective to the arts.
Typical Job Roles
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Fine Artist http://www.prospects.ac.uk/fine_artist_job_description.htm
Further education lecturer http://www.prospects.ac.uk/further_education_lecturer_job_description.htm
Higher education lecturer http://www.prospects.ac.uk/higher_education_lecturer_job_description.htm
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Career Insight: Fine Art
Museum/gallery curator http://www.prospects.ac.uk/museum_gallery_curator_job_description.htm
Printmaker http://www.prospects.ac.uk/printmaker_job_description.htm
Secondary school teacher http://www.prospects.ac.uk/secondary_school_teacher_job_description.htm
Jobs where your degree would be useful include:
Art therapist http://www.prospects.ac.uk/art_therapist_job_description.htm
Arts administrator http://www.prospects.ac.uk/arts_administrator_job_description.htm
Commercial art gallery manager http://www.prospects.ac.uk/commercial_art_gallery_manager_job_description .htm
Museum/gallery exhibitions officer http://www.prospects.ac.uk/museum_gallery_exhibitions_officer_job_descripti on.htm
Multimedia programmer http://www.prospects.ac.uk/multimedia_programmer_job_description.htm
Art historian http://www.ehow.com/about_6502601_art-historian-job-description.html
Arts journalist http://www.prospects.ac.uk/magazine_journalist_job_description.htm http://www.prospects.ac.uk/newspaper_journalist_job_description.htm
Community Arts Worker http://www.prospects.ac.uk/community_development_worker_job_description. htm
First destinations of Fine Art graduates from LJMU include:
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Artist
Metal edge Hill
Artist
Alzheimer’s Society
Artist
Cheryl Ann Meikle
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© 2017. Liverpool John Moores University. The content of this document is copyright material of Liverpool John Moores University. No part of this document may be reproduced or distributed without prior written permission of the copyright owner.
Career Insight: Fine Art
Creative Art worker
Flow create Group Ltd
Art Therapy
Raites Trust
Graphic Designer
Formby Publishing
Arts Marketing & Business Development Assistant Dut Art
Events Management Sales
Team Spirit
Activities Co-coordinator
Ranelagh Grange Care Home
Youth Worker
YMCA
TEFL
Srithatpittayokom School
Workshop Leader
The Art House
Manager
Debenhams
PPI Investigator
MBNA Bank
Events Co-coordinator
Solihull Council
Useful Websites
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Arts Council England
http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/
Creative Choices
http://ccskills.org.uk/careers
Deviant Art
http://www.deviantart.com/
Art Net
http://www.art.net/
Art Daily
http://artdaily.com/
Fine Art Studio on-line
http://faso.com/
Creative Times
http://www.creativetimes.co.uk/
Arts culture media jobs
http://www.artsculturemediajobs.com/
Creative Recruitment
http://www.creativerecruitment.co.uk/
Design Directory
http://www.designdirectory.co.uk/
The Arts Job Finder
http://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/jobs
Art in Liverpool
http://www.artinliverpool.com
Fine Art America
http://fineartamerica.com/jobopenings.html
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Career Insight: Fine Art
Art Quest
http://www.artquest.org.uk/
The Creative Handbook
http://www.creativereview.co.uk/
Graduate Training Schemes In addition, there are lots of graduate training schemes with large companies and many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject. If you are interested in these roles you will need to be aware of the graduate recruitment cycle. Many recruiters begin the graduate recruitment process during the autumn term for final year students. Some placements are advertised then as well. Most closing dates are in November and December but some are earlier so it is important to start researching companies that you want to apply to early on. The application process for graduate training schemes usually involves completing an online application form, which may require you to answer ‘competency based questions’. This may be followed by psychometric tests, a telephone interview and an assessment centre. You may also need to submit your CV. Most of the large recruiters have a section on the student/graduate pages of their website that outlines the different steps of their selection process, so check these to find out what is required. For more information about graduate schemes, download the ‘Graduate Schemes’ guide from https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/careers/123871.htm. Many of these opportunities are advertised in the Prospects Directory and the Target jobs Directory (available on the Prospects and Target jobs website), or on websites like www.milkround.com, as well as on the organisations’ own websites. We also deliver a Graduate Schemes uncovered workshop or webinar on a regular basis. To reserve a place on the workshop visit: https://careers.ljmu.ac.uk.
Key events and networking
Liverpool Careers Fair: usually held in the autumn and spring of each year, see fairs website http://www.liverpoolfairs.org.uk/ for additional events
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Manchester Careers Fairs: open to students and graduates from any university; check http://www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/students/events/ for details
Careers and Employability events at LJMU: Keep an eye on our events pages at https://careers.ljmu.ac.uk for details of upcoming employability workshops, networking sessions and employer talks.
LiverpoolSU Clubs and Societies: https://www.liverpoolsu.com/groups?parent_link=clubs-societies-menu-wrapper
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© 2017. Liverpool John Moores University. The content of this document is copyright material of Liverpool John Moores University. No part of this document may be reproduced or distributed without prior written permission of the copyright owner.
Career Insight: Fine Art
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LinkedIn: You could also consider setting up a LinkedIn account (http://www.linkedin.com/) to network online with professionals and organisations in your chosen industry
Other information Centre for Entrepreneurship - support for LJMU students and graduates interested in starting up their own business https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/startup/.
Careers Zones Campus-based Careers Zones provide easy access to careers support in convenient locations at Byrom Street, Aldham Robarts Library and at IM Marsh, staffed by the Careers Team. Support available includes CV and application form reviews, Careers Adviser appointments, drop-in quick queries, practice interviews and access to careers resources and information. The Zones also host regular employer visits during term time where you can meet and network with employers and discuss job and placement opportunities. For the latest updates and details of locations and opening times, try our Twitter and Facebook pages.
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Š 2017. Liverpool John Moores University. The content of this document is copyright material of Liverpool John Moores University. No part of this document may be reproduced or distributed without prior written permission of the copyright owner.
Career Insight: Fine Art
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Š 2017. Liverpool John Moores University. The content of this document is copyright material of Liverpool John Moores University. No part of this document may be reproduced or distributed without prior written permission of the copyright owner.
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