Careers by Major - Art & Art History

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.

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

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

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

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.)

2. Program-Related Skills

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.

3. Explore Careers & Build Networks

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:

4. Get Experience

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

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

4b. Off-Campus

Internships, Summer, Part Time and Volunteer Positions

Check out our binders with detailed information on internships and volunteer opportunities; available in the Career Centre
Login to Career Learning Network (CLN) and click on Jobs to access current postings advertised to UofT students
Attend the annual Get Hired: Summer and Full-Time Jobs Fair
Consider taking an academic internship course through your department
Check out Government of Ontario - Job Programs for Youth
Review our Internships, Summer Employment Programs, and Summer Job Search tip sheets

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

5. Useful Resources & Next Steps

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

Attend a one-on-one appointment with a career counsellor or an employment strategist to discuss what career options might work for you and determine a job search plan.
Meet with an academic or departmental advisor, who can guide you in achieving academic success. Contact the Office of the Registrar or your department for more information.

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