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Art instructor vs teaching artist

The differences between art instructors and teaching artists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an art instructor and a teaching artist. Additionally, a teaching artist has an average salary of $66,565, which is higher than the $36,539 average annual salary of an art instructor.

The top three skills for an art instructor include classroom management, kids and professional development. The most important skills for a teaching artist are art curriculum, arts education, and art lessons.

Art instructor vs teaching artist overview

Art InstructorTeaching Artist
Yearly salary$36,539$66,565
Hourly rate$17.57$32.00
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs27,1584,493
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Average age4646
Years of experience22

What does an art instructor do?

An art instructor is responsible for providing instructions on art activities, as well as preparing lectures about the art industry. Art instructors share techniques and keep a sufficient amount of art materials for practical use. They also evaluate students' art outputs and give them constructive feedback for development. An art instructor must encourage the students to boost their self-confidence about their craft and guide them to achieve their maximum potential. Art instructors must have excellent knowledge of the art industry, including its importance and history for the students' easy comprehension.

What does a teaching artist do?

A Teaching Artist is responsible for teaching knowledge and skills in art, including drawing, painting, lettering, and art history. They also develop, submit, and implement lesson plans.

Art instructor vs teaching artist salary

Art instructors and teaching artists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Art InstructorTeaching Artist
Average salary$36,539$66,565
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $61,000Between $39,000 And $111,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYSanta Rosa, CA
Highest paying stateConnecticutNew York
Best paying companyKern Community College DistrictThe New York Pops
Best paying industryEducationGovernment

Differences between art instructor and teaching artist education

There are a few differences between an art instructor and a teaching artist in terms of educational background:

Art InstructorTeaching Artist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorFine ArtsTheatre
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Art instructor vs teaching artist demographics

Here are the differences between art instructors' and teaching artists' demographics:

Art InstructorTeaching Artist
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 32.3% Female, 67.7%Male, 31.1% Female, 68.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.3% Asian, 11.2% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 7.0% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.0% Asian, 11.3% White, 66.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between art instructor and teaching artist duties and responsibilities

Art instructor example responsibilities.

  • Manage day of logistics and resolve problems to ensure events run smoothly.
  • Lead kids through snack, game time, homework time, an art lesson, and manage a gallery wall.
  • Instruct elementary school and high school age students in classes such as sculpture, printmaking, and ceramics.
  • Create unique process-base art education congruent with session themes in sculpture and 3D media for students five to six years old.
  • Organize annual trips to NYC for performing arts students.
  • Digitize images and articles into PDF documents for educational use.
  • Show more

Teaching artist example responsibilities.

  • Perform weekly at NYC schools, lead talkbacks, and conduct workshops for students of all ages.
  • Lead an outreach art program in a public school in the Bronx for 4th and 5th grade students.
  • Utilize computers and software to develop teaching materials, manage classroom records and email, and produce PowerPoint presentations.
  • Demonstrate effective communication skills, well-execute and expedient application of makeup to achieve the look guests desires.
  • Participate in OFAR's social sculpture and create an installation-base film dedicate to social justice and engagement
  • Teach classes in improv, sketch, acting, and playwriting
  • Show more

Art instructor vs teaching artist skills

Common art instructor skills
  • Classroom Management, 17%
  • Kids, 8%
  • Professional Development, 7%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Fine Arts, 6%
  • Curriculum Development, 5%
Common teaching artist skills
  • Art Curriculum, 13%
  • Arts Education, 5%
  • Art Lessons, 5%
  • Public Schools, 5%
  • Creative Drama, 4%
  • Poetry, 4%

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