Working in the Arts; what is considered the ‘arts’?

The ‘arts’ sector includes job opportunities in a wide range of areas including:
– Architecture
-Museums, galleries and libraries
-Fashion
-Music, performing and visual arts
-Film, TV and Radio

Employment in the arts industry – according to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) – is growing at more than four times than the overall UK workforce. This includes those in both the creative and support roles (such as administration, finance and IT) and the UK is currently employing nearly two million people in this sector.

What do I need to work in the arts?
– Either a practise talent or skill or have the passion and interest for the area you wish to work in.
– You may have to be prepared to work freelance, as self-employed or on short-term contracts

Further information can be found on the Prospects website

What sort of ‘creative’ roles are there available?
Actor, Designer, Animator, Curators, artist, architect, art director, choreographer, photographer, film/theatre director, cinematographer, audio describer, composer, writer, creative director, editor, costume designer, digital imager, painter, prop maker, drapes master, foley artist, set builder, illustrator, model maker, lighting/sound designer, graphic designer, marketing, radio presenter, scenic artist, stand-up comic, storyboard artist…

…to name but a few but for a further list please do visit http://creativeskillset.org/job_roles/p1

Do I need to have a ‘creative’ degree to work in the arts?
No. The arts sector may be creative, but they still need all the roles and departments that you might find in even the corporate world such as IT, finance, HR and legal.

 

So if you are studying computer science but have a personal interest in film– perhaps you can combine your degree with your passions and decide on a career in the arts by becoming a visual effects editor? Or, why not use your transferable skills for something like these:

Broadcast engineering, stage manager, fundraiser, agent, programmer, effects technical director, render wrangler, location manager, casting director, event manager, library assistant, producer, radio traffic manager, researcher and many many more…
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You can find out more about working in the arts from the panel discussion on

Tuesday 14 November: Working in the Arts Forum (as part of the Museums and Cultural Heritage Themed Week)

Bookings through My UCL Careers