Careers by Major - Art & Art History

 

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This program is offered through the Department of Visual Studies

Each Careers by Major page provides lots of ideas on various career areas, as well as how to gain related skills and experience. Useful resources and job samples are also provided.

Table of Contents 

1. Sample Occupations and Jobs
         1a. Sample Occupations
         1b. Sample Job Listings
         1c. Sample Areas of Employment
2. Program-Related Skills
3. Explore Careers & Build Networks
4. Get Experience
         4a. On-Campus
         4b. Off-Campus
5. Useful Resources & Next Steps 


1. Sample Occupations and Jobs

 

Below is a sample of the many types of occupations pursued by graduates of this program.

1a. Sample Occupations

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Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Detailed career profiles are available in the Career Centre. Some occupations require further education and experience.

  • Art Dealer
  • Art Director
  • Editor
  • Graphic Designer/Layout Artist
  • Photographer
  • Film Editor
  • Exhibit/Display Designer
  • Librarian/Information Specialist
  • Archivist
  • Museum Technician
  • Arts Programmer (TV/Radio)
  • Illustrator
  • Fundraiser
  • Print Journalist
  • Arts Administrator
  • Marketing Specialist
  • Casting Director
  • Desktop Publisher
  • Event Planner
  • Art Therapist
  • Curator
  • Conservator/Restorer
  • Advertising Account Executive
  • Volunteer Manager
  • Fine Arts Handler
  • Appraiser
  • Historical Preservation Coordinator
  • Designer: Industrial/Fashion/Interior
  • Teacher/University or College Professor
  • Grants Officer for the Arts
  • Art Gallery Director
  • Critic
  • Web Developer/Designer
  • Animator
  • Historian
  • Artist
  • Audio-Visual Technician

1b. Sample Job Listings

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Below is a sample of delisted positions that have been posted on UofT's Career Learning Network (CLN). To access current listings, login to CLN and click on Jobs. 

  • Program Assistants, Living Arts Centre
  • Marketing Coordinator, Metalworks Institute
  • Concept Artist/Modeler/Animator, Jaded Soul Tattoo
  • Communications Assistant, Credit Valley Conservation
  • New Media Programmer, Corus Entertainment
  • Graphic Design Artist, First Media Group
  • Art Sales and Marketing Representative, Sullivan Entertainment
  • Gallery Assistant, Eskimo Art Gallery
  • Curatorial Assistant, Blackwood Gallery, UTM
  • Arts Counsellor, Centauri Summer Arts Camp
  • Exhibit and Conservation Assistant, Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum & Community Centre
  • Historical Interpreter, Art Gallery of Ontario
  • Bilingual Program Assistant, Ontario Arts Council
  • Studio Assistant, Pottery-A-Go-Go.com
  • Scientific Illustrator, Department of Biology, UTM

1c. Sample Areas of Employment

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  • Art Galleries / Auction Houses
  • Advertising Firms
  • Museums
  • Schools, Universities and Colleges
  • Publishing Houses
  • Newspapers and Magazines
  • Photo Agencies / Studios
  • Hospitals / Mental Health Facilities
  • Graphic Design Firms
  • Community Centres
  • Consumer Product Companies
  • Company Marketing Departments
  • Social Media Platforms (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, etc.)

 

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2. Program-Related Skills 

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Academic courses in this program provide opportunities to develop the following types of skills. Make a career counselling or an employment strategy appointment to discuss how you can demonstrate these skills to employers.

  • Creativity: demonstrate creativity, artistic expression and inventive problem-solving.
  • Communication: effectively present ideas and theories in writing, speech and a variety of visual media; support an argument; and adapt content and delivery for different audiences.
  • Technical: broad knowledge of artistic periods and artworks; understand issues associated with production, dissemination, and consumption of media; and well-developed visual literacy and understanding of symbolism. 
  • Flexibility: self-motivated; patient; work well independently and in teams; and detail-oriented.
  • Research & analytical: critically examine works of art, architecture, messages, and human history across time and regions; and review published work and interpretations.

 

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3. Explore Careers & Build Networks 

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Career Exploration 101

Take our 15 minute online module. Gain access to UTM's career exploration programs:

Informational Interviews

Informational interviews are a great way to connect with professionals in a career area of interest and gain valuable insights about a particular career, company, or industry that would otherwise be difficult to find in books or online. Check out our tip sheet to learn more.

Alumni Profiles

Check out our Alumni Profiles page with submissions from UTM grads to find out how their experiences have affected their career direction.

Events

Attending career panels, networking events, employer info sessions, and career fairs is a great way to meet professionals and learn more about careers, companies, and industries. Login to CLN and click on Events & Workshops to see what's coming up.

Talk to Professors

Connecting with your professors can be a great way to explore the different paths a major can lead you to, as well as learn about possible opportunities for research, volunteering, or becoming a TA. Drop by during their office hours or request an appointment.

Student Organizations

Joining any student club or academic society at UTM is a great way to gain valuable skills and expand your resume. To view a list of current clubs and societies, visit the Student Organization Portal. Some organizations you may consider:

  • Department of Visual Studies Student Society
  • UTM Arts Club
  • English & Drama Students Society
  • Historical Studies Society at UTM
  • The Medium

LinkedIn

Create a LinkedIn profile to connect with professionals in various fields, explore the career paths of UTM alumni, research employers, apply for specific positions, and more. Need help? Come to the Career Centre to book a LinkedIn profile critique.

Professional Associations

There are many benefits of becoming a member of association(s), such as developing a network of contacts, learning about industry trends, accessing industry-related job postings, and stating your affiliation on your resume. Some associations related to this major are:

 

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4. Get Experience 

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Get some experience and exposure to the industry while being a student. This will increase your chances of finding a job after graduation, while helping you decide what area might be most suitable for you.

4a. On-Campus

  

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On-Campus Opportunities Booklet

Check out the On-Campus Opportunities booklet to view a list of some of the ways you can get valuable experience on campus.

Work Study Positions

The work study program provides eligible students with an opportunity to work on campus during the academic year and gain experience. Many departments use this program to hire UTM students during the Fall/Winter and Summer terms.

Part Time and Volunteer Positions

  • Attend the annual Get Experience Fair 
  • Check out our binder with detailed information on volunteer opportunities; available in the Career Centre
  • Learn about the Co-Curricular Record (CCR), which can help you find opportunities beyond the classroom and have your skills and experiences captured on an official document

Student Organizations

Joining any student club or academic society at UTM is a great way to gain valuable skills and expand your resume. To view a list of current clubs and societies, visit the Student Organization Portal.

4b. Off-Campus

  

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Internships, Summer, Part Time and Volunteer Positions 

Full Time Positions

  • Networking is an essential element of job search today, as most jobs are not advertised. While you should still apply for positions you find online, building relationships with professionals is a proven way to access the "hidden job market" with some of the most desirable opportunities. Attend the "Learn to Network" workshop to discover proven techniques to effectively introduce yourself and make contacts.
  • Login to CLN and click on Jobs to access current postings advertised to graduating students and recent UofT grads. Note: You must attend the "Now That I'm Graduating, What's Next?" workshop to gain access to these postings.
  • Attend the annual Get Hired: Summer and Full-Time Jobs Fair
  • Check out our list of industry-specific job boards

 

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5. Useful Resources & Next Steps 

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Career Resource Library

The Career Resource Library contains information about a wide range of occupations in all industries, resume and cover letter resources, effective work search methods, graduate/professional school preparation guides and more.

Appointments

Career Planning by Year

Visit our Career Planning by Year page for ideas of important career related activities for each year. You can visit us in the Career Centre to find out more about career areas that interest you.

Additional Web Resources

Updated July 2023