Become An Art Instructor
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Working As An Art Instructor
- Training and Teaching Others
- Thinking Creatively
- Coaching and Developing Others
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Getting Information
Make Decisions
$24,218
Average Salary
What Does An Art Instructor Do
How To Become An Art Instructor
Educational requirements vary with the subject taught and the type of educational institution. Most commonly, postsecondary teachers must have a Ph.D. However, a master's degree may be enough for some postsecondary teachers at community colleges. In career and technical schools, work experience may be important for getting a postsecondary teaching job.
EducationPostsecondary teachers who work for 4-year colleges and universities typically need a doctoral degree in their field. Some schools may hire those with a master’s degree or those who are doctoral degree candidates for some specialties, such as fine arts, or for some part-time positions.
Doctoral programs generally take multiple years after the completion of a bachelor’s degree program. They spend time completing a master’s degree and then writing a doctoral dissertation, which is a paper presenting original research in the student’s field of study. Candidates usually specialize in a subfield, such as organic chemistry or European history.
Community colleges or career and technical schools also may hire those with a master’s degree. However, in some fields, there are more applicants than available positions. In these situations, institutions can be more selective, and they frequently choose applicants who have a Ph.D. over those with a master’s degree.
Postsecondary teachers who teach career and technical education courses, such as culinary arts or cosmetology, may not be required to have graduate-level education. At a minimum they must hold the degree of the program in which they are teaching. For example, the teacher must hold an associate’s degree if they teach a program that is at the associate’s degree level. In addition, work experience or certification may be just as important as education for getting a postsecondary teaching job at a career or technical school.
Other ExperienceSome institutions may prefer to hire those with teaching or other work experience, but this is not a requirement for all fields or for all employers.
In health specialties, art, or education fields, hands-on work experience in the industry can be important. Postsecondary teachers in these fields often gain experience by working in an occupation related to their field of expertise.
In fields such as biological science, physics, and chemistry, some postsecondary teachers have postdoctoral research experience. These short-term jobs, sometimes called “post-docs,” usually involve working for 2 to 3 years as a research associate or in a similar position, often at a college or university.
Some postsecondary teachers gain teaching experience by working as graduate teaching assistants—students who are enrolled in a graduate program and teach classes in the institution in which they are enrolled.
Some postsecondary teachers, especially adjunct professors, have another job in addition to teaching.
Licenses, Certifications, and RegistrationsPostsecondary teachers who prepare students for an occupation that requires a license, certification, or registration, may need to have—or they may benefit from having—the same credential. For example, a postsecondary nursing teacher might need a nursing license or a postsecondary education teacher might need a teaching license.
AdvancementA major goal for postsecondary teachers with a doctoral degree is attaining a tenure—a guarantee that a professor cannot be fired without just cause. It can take up to 7 years of moving up the ranks in tenure-track positions. The ranks are assistant professor, associate professor, and professor. Tenure is granted through a review of the candidate’s research, contribution to the institution, and teaching.
Tenure and tenure track positions are declining as institutions are relying more heavily on part-time faculty.
Some tenured professors advance to administrative positions, such as dean or president. For information on deans and other administrative positions, see the profile on postsecondary education administrators. For more information about college and university presidents, see the profile on top executives.
Important QualitiesCritical-thinking skills. To challenge established theories and beliefs, conduct original research, and design experiments, postsecondary teachers need good critical-thinking skills.
Interpersonal skills. Most postsecondary teachers need to be able to work well with others and must have good communication skills to serve on committees and give lectures.
Resourcefulness. Postsecondary teachers need to be able to present information in a way that students will understand. They need to adapt to the different learning styles of their students and teach students who have little or no experience with the subject.
Speaking skills. Postsecondary teachers need good communication skills to give lectures.
Writing skills. Most postsecondary teachers need to be skilled writers to publish original research and analysis.
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Art Instructor jobs
Art Instructor Career Paths
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Art Educator 4.3 years
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Elementary Art Teacher 4.2 years
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Art Teacher 3.3 years
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Art Instructor 3.0 years
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Fine Arts Instructor 2.8 years
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Art Coordinator 2.6 years
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ESL Instructor 2.6 years
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Art Teacher 10.6%
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Instructor 9.3%
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Substitute Teacher 8.4%
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Teacher 7.5%
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Artist 7.3%
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Internship 7.3%
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Sales Associate 5.7%
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Graphic Designer 5.0%
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Volunteer 4.2%
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Art Director 4.1%
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Teaching Assistant 4.0%
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Teacher Assistant 3.5%
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Student Teacher 3.5%
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Cashier 2.8%
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Office Assistant 2.6%
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Assistant Manager 2.6%
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Adjunct Professor 2.3%
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Director 2.2%
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Art Teacher 12.1%
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Substitute Teacher 10.4%
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Instructor 9.0%
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Artist 8.0%
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Teacher 7.8%
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Graphic Designer 6.2%
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Adjunct Professor 4.8%
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Internship 4.5%
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Sales Associate 4.4%
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Volunteer 3.8%
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Adjunct Instructor 3.7%
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Owner 3.5%
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Student Teacher 2.9%
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Art Director 2.8%
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Teaching Assistant 2.8%
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Artist-In-Residence 2.7%
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Adjunct Faculty 2.7%
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English Instructor 2.5%
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Average Length of Employment
Top Careers Before Art Instructor
Top Careers After Art Instructor
Art Instructor Demographics
Gender
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Female
69.3% -
Male
28.4% -
Unknown
2.4%
Ethnicity
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White
79.0% -
Hispanic or Latino
10.9% -
Asian
7.7% -
Unknown
1.9% -
Black or African American
0.6%
Languages Spoken
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Spanish
56.2% -
French
6.9% -
Italian
5.1% -
German
4.3% -
Japanese
4.3% -
Mandarin
3.6% -
Korean
3.6% -
Russian
3.6% -
Portuguese
2.9% -
Chinese
2.5% -
Greek
1.4% -
Hmong
1.1% -
Romanian
0.7% -
Cantonese
0.7% -
Tagalog
0.7% -
Dakota
0.7% -
Swedish
0.4% -
Cherokee
0.4% -
Cheyenne
0.4% -
Dutch
0.4%
Art Instructor
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.
Art Instructor Education
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Savannah College of Art and Design
11.6% -
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
6.3% -
School of Visual Arts
6.1% -
Florida State University
5.8% -
Academy of Art University
5.3% -
Virginia Commonwealth University
5.3% -
University of Phoenix
5.1% -
University of Iowa
4.8% -
Howard University
4.5% -
Montclair State University
4.5% -
New York University
4.3% -
San Francisco State University
4.3% -
University of Houston
4.3% -
Fashion Institute of Technology
4.3% -
Georgia State University
4.0% -
Lesley University
4.0% -
Northern Illinois University
4.0% -
Wayne State University
3.8% -
Columbia College Chicago
3.8% -
Texas State University
3.8% -
Fine Arts 30.7%
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Graphic Design 12.1%
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Education 6.8%
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Elementary Education 5.5%
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English 3.9%
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Psychology 3.5%
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Business 3.3%
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Photography 2.8%
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-
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Liberal Arts 2.0%
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Communication 1.9%
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Theatre 1.8%
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Writing 1.6%
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Special Education 1.4%
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Bachelors
38.2% -
Masters
33.5% -
Other
16.5% -
Associate
5.1% -
Certificate
4.3% -
Doctorate
1.8% -
Diploma
0.4% -
License
0.3%
Schools
Majors
Degrees
Art Instructor
Unfortunately we don’t have enough data for this section.
Real Art Instructor Salaries
Job Title
|
Company
|
Location
|
Start Date
|
Salary
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Art Instructor | National Academy of Design | New York, NY | Apr 18, 2016 | $104,350 |
| ART/Instructional Director | YPI Charter Schools, Inc. | Los Angeles, CA | Oct 01, 2011 | $80,000 |
| ART/Instructional Director | Youth Policy Institute Charter Schools | Los Angeles, CA | Oct 01, 2011 | $80,000 |
| Temporary Art Instructor | National Academy of Design | New York, NY | Jan 02, 2016 | $68,871 - $104,350 |
| Temporaty Art Instructor | National Academy of Design | New York, NY | Apr 21, 2016 | $68,871 - $104,350 |
| Curriculum & Instruction Arts Initiative/Vapa Coor | Twin Rivers Unified School District | McClellan Park, CA | Jan 30, 2012 | $64,293 - $95,321 |
| Game Art Instructor-Maya | Academy of Interactive Entertainment | Lafayette, LA | Aug 01, 2012 | $62,610 |
| Art Instructor | The Imagine Bus Project | San Francisco, CA | Nov 03, 2009 | $62,610 |
| Art Instructor | In Art, Inc. | Los Angeles, CA | Jul 19, 2012 | $61,776 |
| Art Instructor | Dream Catcher Art Studio, Inc. | Los Angeles, CA | Aug 09, 2012 | $61,776 |
| Art Instructor | San Jose Art Academy | Santa Clara, CA | Aug 31, 2012 | $60,700 |
| Animation and Media Arts Instructor | Inner-City Arts | Los Angeles, CA | Aug 31, 2013 | $46,010 |
| Ad-Interim Instructor of Art Foundation | Texas A&M University-Commerce | Commerce, TX | Dec 17, 2013 | $45,000 |
| Art Instructor | San Jose Art Academy | Santa Clara, CA | Sep 02, 2015 | $44,800 |
| Instructor of Art | Gainesville State College | Oakwood, GA | Nov 10, 2011 | $44,686 |
| Art Instructor | The Victoria College | Victoria, TX | Jul 10, 2010 | $43,543 |
| ART/Instructional Director | YPI Charter Schools, Inc. | Los Angeles, CA | Oct 01, 2011 | $43,500 |
| Art Instructor | Long Island Conservatory, Ltd. | Albertson, NY | Oct 01, 2011 | $43,300 |
| Bakery/Pastry Arts Instructor | Culinary Institute Inc. | Houston, TX | Sep 11, 2013 | $37,000 |
| Performing Art Instructor | Kon Wah Inc. | NY | Feb 10, 2015 | $36,858 |
| Animation and Media Arts Instructor | Inner-City Arts Foundation | Los Angeles, CA | Sep 01, 2010 | $36,480 |
| Art Instructor | Boston Higashi School, Inc. | Randolph, MA | Dec 18, 2012 | $36,400 - $68,400 |
| Art Instructor | San Jose Art Academy | Santa Clara, CA | Feb 07, 2014 | $35,479 |
| Art Instructor | Monkey Tiger Art & Design Inc. | Chino Hills, CA | Oct 01, 2012 | $34,456 |
| Visiting Faculty-Art Instructor | Minneapolis College of Art and Design | Minneapolis, MN | Aug 25, 2016 | $34,380 |
| Art Instructor | Museuem of Art/Ft Lauderdale Nova Se University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Jun 11, 2011 | $34,000 |
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Top Skills for An Art Instructor
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Top Art Instructor Skills
- Classroom Management
- Curriculum Development
- Weekly Lesson Plans
- Maintained superior classroom management & provided instruction in a safe and orderly environment.
- Experienced in Gallery Direction, Curriculum Development and Public Speaking.
- Designed weekly lesson plans of activities/projects for the art room, along with gather materials and executed projects/activities.
- Have knowledge of art history and different art genres in order to teach a range of art styles.
- Developed and implemented reading program and reading list to promote reading and writing skills, as a Language Arts Committee member.
Top Art Instructor Employers
Young Rembrandts
Painting with a Twist
Wine and Design
YPI Charter Schools, Inc.
Boys and Girls Club
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