How To Become An Art Instructor: What It Is and Career Path

What is an art instructor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Greg Hull

Art instructors work in a world filled to the brim with creativity. They're surrounded by students who have potential to go places. In fact the only role an art instructor plays is to help those students refine their craft.

Instead of holding students back, art instructors challenge them to go outside their limits and really go above and beyond. From helping them find inspiration to introducing new forms of expression, art instructors really get creative when it comes to their students.

What general advice would you give to an art instructor?

Greg Hull

Interim Dean, Valerie Eickmeier Professor in Sculpture, Professor, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis - Herron School of Art and Design

I would tell them to remember that, while they may not find sculptor, poet, dancer, etc. in job postings, the skills and abilities that they have all learned in terms of idea generation, problem-solving, and creative thinking are highly sought after and can be applied to almost any position in every conceivable field. Innovation and creativity are the cornerstones of education in Design and the Visual and Performing Arts. The ability to see and solve problems, from multiple perspectives, and provide an array of viable solutions is unique and powerful. With self-motivation and perseverance, they can, and will, be successful.

ScoreArt InstructorUS Average

Salary

2.9

Avg. Salary $36,539

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

4.8

Growth rate 12%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.2

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.28%

Asian 11.23%

Black or African American 7.26%

Hispanic or Latino 10.33%

Unknown 4.95%

White 65.94%

Gender

female 67.69%

male 32.31%

Age - 46

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46

Stress level

4.8

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

8.9

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an art instructor

Explore art instructor education requirements

Most common art instructor degrees

Bachelor's

67.8 %

Master's

16.7 %

Associate

9.9 %

Start to develop specific art instructor skills

Skills	Percentages
Classroom Management	16.76%
Kids	7.66%
Professional Development	6.61%
Customer Service	6.22%
Fine Arts	6.22%

Research art instructor duties and 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.

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