Craft and Fine Artists
Career, Salary and Education Information
What They Do: Craft and fine artists use a variety of materials and techniques to create art for sale and exhibition.
Work Environment: Many artists work in fine- or commercial-art studios located in office buildings, warehouses, or lofts. Others work in private studios in their homes. Some artists share studio space, where they also may exhibit their work.
How to Become One: Craft and fine artists improve their skills through practice and repetition. A bachelor’s degree is common for these artists.
Salary: The median annual wage for craft and fine artists is $49,960.
Job Outlook: Overall employment of craft and fine artists is projected to grow 6 percent over the next ten years, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Related Careers: Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of craft and fine artists with similar occupations.
Following is everything you need to know about a career as a craft and fine artist with lots of details. As a first step, take a look at some of the following jobs, which are real jobs with real employers. You will be able to see the very real job career requirements for employers who are actively hiring. The link will open in a new tab so that you can come back to this page to continue reading about the career:
Top 3 Craft Artist Jobs
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Activities Coordinator
- Sunrise View Assisted Living
- Adrian, MN
Coordinate Group Social Activities, Indoor/Outdoor activities, Activities away from the facility, spiritual programs and when possible at a place of worship, creative activities such as crafts , arts ...
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Teaching Artist
- Berkeley Repertory Theatre
- Berkeley, CA
Teaching Artist REPORTS TO: Director, Berkeley Rep School of Theatre WORK SCHEDULE: Monday - Friday ... Arrive to teaching sessions in a timely manner and partner with educators to craft the best ...
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Lead Level Artist
- Unreal Gigs
- Seattle, WA
Craft stunning and intricate environments filled with rich detail and compelling scene compositions. * Engage in deep collaboration with level and game designers to bring the artistic vision to life ...
Top 3 Fine Artist Jobs
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Manager of Interpretation
- COFAM- Corporation Of the Fine Arts Museums
- San Francisco, CA
The mission of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco is to connect our visitors with local and global art in order to promote their knowledge of and curiosity about the past, deepen their engagement ...
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Instructional Dean- Liberal and Fine Arts
- Kilgore College
- Kilgore, TX
The Dean of Liberal and Fine Arts provides academic leadership and administrative support to the division's faculty and staff. Some of the areas within the division include Humanities, Social ...
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8202 - Security Guard - Fine Arts Museum
- City and County of San Francisco
- San Francisco, CA
The Fine Arts Museums believe that each employee contributes directly to the Museums' growth and success, and upholds the Museums' mission to make art accessible to the large and diverse Bay Area ...
What Craft and Fine Artists Do[About this section] [To Top]
Craft and fine artists use a variety of materials and techniques to create art for sale and exhibition. Craft artists create handmade objects, such as pottery, glassware, textiles, and other objects that are designed to be functional. Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators, create original works of art for their aesthetic value, rather than for a functional one.
Duties of Craft and Fine Artists
Craft and fine artists typically do the following:
- Use techniques such as knitting, weaving, glassblowing, painting, drawing, and sculpting
- Develop creative ideas or new methods for making art
- Create sketches, templates, or models to guide their work
- Select which materials to use on the basis of color, texture, strength, and other qualities
- Shape, join, or cut materials for a final product
- Use visual techniques, such as composition, color, space, and perspective, to produce desired artistic effects
- Develop portfolios highlighting their artistic styles and abilities to show to gallery owners and others interested in their work
- Display their work at auctions, craft fairs, galleries, museums, and online marketplaces
- Complete grant proposals and applications to obtain financial support for projects
Artists create objects that are beautiful, thought provoking, and sometimes shocking. They often strive to communicate ideas or feelings through their art.
Craft artists work with many different materials, including ceramics, glass, textiles, wood, metal, and paper, to create unique pieces of art, such as pottery, quilts, stained glass, furniture, jewelry, and clothing. Many craft artists also use fine-art techniques—for example, painting, sketching, and printing—to add finishing touches to their products.
Fine artists typically display their work in museums, in commercial or nonprofit art galleries, at craft fairs, in corporate collections, on the Internet, and in private homes. Some of their artwork may be commissioned (requested by a client), but most is sold by the artist or through private art galleries or dealers. The artist, gallery, and dealer together decide in advance how much of the proceeds from the sale each will keep.
Most craft and fine artists spend their time and effort selling their artwork to potential customers and building a reputation. In addition to selling their artwork, many artists have at least one other job to support their craft or art careers.
Some artists work in museums or art galleries as art directors or as archivists, curators, or museum workers, planning and setting up exhibits. Others teach craft or art classes or conduct workshops in schools or in their own studios. For more information on workers who teach art classes, see the profiles on kindergarten and elementary school teachers, middle school teachers, high school teachers, career and technical education teachers, and postsecondary teachers.
Craft and fine artists specialize in one or more types of art. The following are examples of types of craft and fine artists:
Cartoonists draw political, advertising, comic, and sports cartoons. Some cartoonists work with others who create the idea or story and write captions. Some create plots and write captions themselves. Most cartoonists have comic, critical, or dramatic talents, in addition to drawing skills.
Ceramic artists shape, form, and mold artworks out of clay, often using a potter's wheel and other tools. They glaze and fire pieces in kilns, which are large, special furnaces that dry and harden the clay.
Fiber artists use fabric, yarn, or other natural and synthetic fibers to weave, knit, crochet, or sew textile art. They may use a loom to weave fabric, needles to knit or crochet yarn, or a sewing machine to join pieces of fabric for quilts or other handicrafts.
Fine-art painters paint landscapes, portraits, and other subjects in a variety of styles, ranging from realistic to abstract. They may use one or more media, such as watercolors, oil paints, or acrylics.
Furniture makers cut, sand, join, and finish wood and other materials to make handcrafted furniture. For information about other workers who assemble wood furniture, see the profile on woodworkers.
Glass artists process glass in a variety of ways—such as by blowing, shaping, or joining it—to create artistic pieces. Specific processes used include glassblowing, lampworking, and staining glass. Some of these processes require the use of kilns, ovens, and other equipment and tools that bend glass at high temperatures. These workers also decorate glass objects, such as by etching or painting.
Illustrators create pictures for books, magazines, and other publications and for commercial products, such as textiles, wrapping paper, stationery, greeting cards, and calendars. Increasingly, illustrators are using computers in their work. They might draw in pen and pencil and then scan the image into a computer program to be colored in, or they might use a special pen to draw images directly onto the computer.
Jewelry artists use metals, stones, beads, and other materials to make objects for personal adornment, such as earrings or necklaces. For more information about other workers who create jewelry, see the profile on jewelers and precious stone and metal workers.
Medical and scientific illustrators combine drawing skills with knowledge of biology or other sciences. Medical illustrators work with computers or with pen and paper to create images of human anatomy and surgical procedures, as well as three-dimensional models and animations. Scientific illustrators draw animal and plant life, atomic and molecular structures, and geologic and planetary formations. These illustrations are used in medical and scientific publications and in audiovisual presentations for teaching purposes. Some medical and scientific illustrators work for lawyers, producing exhibits for court cases.
Public artists create large paintings, sculptures, and displays called "installations" that are meant to be seen in public spaces. These works are typically displayed in parks, museum grounds, train stations, and other public areas.
Printmakers create images on a silk screen, woodblock, lithography stone, metal etching plate, or other types of matrices. A printing hand press then creates the final work of art, inking and transferring the matrix to a piece of paper.
Sculptors design and shape three-dimensional works of art, either by molding and joining materials such as clay, glass, plastic, and metal or by cutting and carving forms from a block of plaster, wood, or stone. Some sculptors combine various materials to create mixed-media displays called "installations." For example, some incorporate light, sound, and motion into their works.
Sketch artists, who are a particular type of illustrator, often create likenesses of subjects with pencil, charcoal, or pastels. Their sketches are used by law enforcement agencies to help identify suspects, by the news media to show courtroom scenes, and by individual customers for their own enjoyment.
Tattoo artists use stencils and draw by hand to create original images and text on the skin of their clients. With specialized needles, these artists use a variety of styles and colors based on their clients' preferences.
Video artists shoot and record experimental video that is typically shown in a recurring loop in art galleries, museums, or performance spaces. These artists sometimes use multiple monitors or create unusual spaces for the video to be shown.
Work Environment for Craft and Fine Artists[About this section] [To Top]
Craft and fine artists hold about 52,300 jobs. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up craft and fine artists is distributed as follows:
| Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators | 27,100 |
| Artists and related workers, all other | 14,500 |
| Craft artists | 10,700 |
The largest employers of craft and fine artists are as follows:
| Self-employed workers | 58% |
| Independent artists, writers, and performers | 8% |
| Federal government, excluding postal service | 7% |
| Personal care services | 4% |
| Motion picture and sound recording industries | 5% |
Many artists work in fine-art studios or commercial art studios located in office buildings, warehouses, or lofts. Others work in private studios in their homes. Some artists share studio space, where they also may exhibit their work.
Studios are usually well lit and ventilated. However, artists may be exposed to fumes from glue, paint, ink, and other materials. They may also have to deal with dust or other residue from filings, splattered paint, or spilled cleaning and other fluids. Artists often wear protective gear, such as breathing masks and goggles, in order to remain safe from exposure to harmful materials. Ceramic and glass artists must use caution when they operate equipment and tools that can get very hot, such as kilns.
Injuries and Illnesses for Craft and Fine Artists
Artists and related workers (all other) have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations.
Craft and Fine Artist Work Schedules
Most craft and fine artists work full time, although part-time and variable work schedules are also common. Many hold another job in addition to their work as an artist. During busy periods, artists may work additional hours to meet deadlines.
How to Become a Craft or Fine Artist[About this section] [To Top]
Get the education you need: Find schools for Craft and Fine Artists near you!
Craft and fine artists improve their skills through practice and repetition. Most fine artists earn a bachelor's or master's degree in fine arts in order to improve their skills and job prospects.
Education for Craft and Fine Artists
Most fine artists pursue postsecondary education to earn degrees that can improve their skills and job prospects. A formal educational credential is typically not needed for anyone to be a craft artist. However, it is difficult to gain adequate artistic skills without some formal education. High school classes such as art, shop, and home economics can teach prospective craft artists some of the basic skills they will need, such as drawing, woodworking, and sewing.
A large number of colleges and universities offer bachelor's and master's degrees in fine arts. In addition to offering studio art and art history, postsecondary programs may include core subjects, such as English, marketing, social science, and natural science. Independent schools of art and design also offer postsecondary education programs, which can lead to a certificate in an art-related specialty or to an associate's, bachelor's, or master's degree in fine arts.
In 2016, the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) accredited approximately 352 postsecondary institutions with programs in art and design. Most of these schools award a degree in art.
Medical illustrators must have a demonstrated artistic ability and a detailed knowledge of human and animal anatomy, living organisms, and surgical and medical procedures. They usually need a bachelor's degree that combines art and premedical courses. Medical illustrators may choose to get a master's degree in medical illustration. Three accredited schools offer this degree in the United States.
Education gives artists an opportunity to develop their portfolio, which is a collection of an artist's work that demonstrates his or her styles and abilities. Portfolios are essential, because art directors, clients, and others look at them when deciding whether to hire an artist or to buy the artist's work. In addition to compiling a physical portfolio, many artists choose to create a portfolio online so that potential buyers and clients can view their work on the Internet.
Those who want to teach fine arts at public elementary or secondary schools usually must have a teaching certificate in addition to a bachelor's degree. For more information on workers who teach art classes, see the profiles on kindergarten and elementary school teachers, middle school teachers, high school teachers, career and technical education teachers, and postsecondary teachers.
Craft and Fine Artist Training
Craft and fine artists improve their skills through practice and repetition. They can train in several ways other than—or in addition to—formal schooling. Craft and fine artists can train with simpler projects before attempting something more ambitious.
Some artists learn on the job from more experienced artists. Others attend noncredit classes or workshops or take private lessons, which may be offered in artists' studios or at community colleges, art centers, galleries, museums, or other art-related institutions.
Important Qualities for Craft and Fine Artists
Artistic ability. Craft and fine artists create artwork and other objects that are visually appealing or thought provoking. This endeavor usually requires significant skill and attention to detail in one or more art forms.
Business skills. Craft and fine artists must promote themselves and their art to build a reputation and to sell their art. They often study the market for their crafts or artwork to increase their understanding of what potential customers might want. Many craft and fine artists sell their work on the Internet, so developing an online presence is an important part of their art sales.
Creativity. Artists must have active imaginations to develop new and original ideas for their work.
Customer-service skills. Craft and fine artists, especially those who sell their work themselves, must be good at dealing with customers and potential buyers.
Dexterity. Most artists work with their hands and must be good at manipulating tools and materials to create their art.
Interpersonal skills. Artists often must interact with many people, including coworkers, gallery owners, and the public.
Advancement for Craft and Fine Artists
Craft and fine artists advance professionally as their work circulates and as they establish a reputation for their particular style. Many of the most successful artists continually develop new ideas, and their work often evolves over time.
Many artists do artwork while continuing to hold a full-time job until they are established as professional artists. Others work as an artist part time while still in school, to develop experience and to build a portfolio of published work.
Self-employed and freelance artists try to establish a set of clients who regularly contract for work. Some of these artists are widely recognized for their skill in a specialty, such as illustrating children's books or cartooning. They may earn high incomes and can choose the types of projects they undertake.
Craft and Fine Artist Salaries[About this section] [More salary/earnings info] [To Top]
The median annual wage for craft and fine artists is $49,960. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $21,840, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $125,930.
Median annual wages for craft and fine artists are as follows:
| Artists and related workers, all other | $61,580 |
| Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators | $60,820 |
| Craft artists | $35,930 |
The median annual wages for craft and fine artists in the top industries in which they work are as follows:
| Personal care services | $125,930 |
| Federal government, excluding postal service | $95,910 |
| Motion picture and sound recording industries | $75,940 |
| Independent artists, writers, and performers | $38,490 |
Earnings for self-employed artists vary widely. Some charge only a nominal fee while they gain experience and build a reputation for their work. Those artists who are well established can earn more than salaried artists.
Most craft and fine artists work full time, although part-time and variable work schedules are also common. In addition to pursuing their work as an artist, many hold another job because it may be difficult to rely solely on income earned from selling paintings or other works of art. During busy periods, artists may work long hours to meet deadlines.
Job Outlook for Craft and Fine Artists[About this section] [To Top]
Overall employment of craft and fine artists is projected to grow 6 percent over the next ten years, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 5,900 openings for craft and fine artists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Employment of Craft and Fine Artists
Some of the projected employment growth in these occupations is due to recovery from the COVID-19 recession of 2020 and is likely to occur early in the projections decade.
Employment growth for artists depends largely on the overall state of the economy and whether people are willing to spend money on art, because people usually buy art when they can afford to do so. During good economic times, people and businesses are interested in buying more artwork; during economic downturns, they generally buy less. However, there is always some demand for art by private collectors and museums.
Job growth for craft and fine artists may be limited by the sale of inexpensive, machine-produced items designed to look like handmade crafts. A continued interest in locally made products and crafted goods will likely offset some of these employment losses.
| Occupational Title | Employment, 2021 | Projected Employment, 2031 | Change, 2021-31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | |||
| Craft and fine artists | 52,300 | 55,300 | 6 | 2,900 |
| Craft artists | 10,700 | 11,200 | 5 | 500 |
| Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators | 27,100 | 28,800 | 6 | 28,800 |
| Artists and related workers, all other | 14,500 | 15,200 | 5 | 700 |
More Craft and Fine Artist Information[About this section] [To Top]
For more information about art and design and a list of accredited college-level programs, visit
National Association of Schools of Art and Design
For more information about careers in the craft arts and for a list of schools and workshops, visit
For more information about careers in the arts, visit
New York Foundation for the Arts
For more information about careers in medical illustration, visit
Association of Medical Illustrators
For information about grant-funding programs and other local resources for artists, contact your state arts agency. A list of these agencies is available from the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies .
For more information about how the federal government awards grants for art, visit
A portion of the information on this page is used by permission of the U.S. Department of Labor.