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

What is an art supervisor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Edward Sobel

A career in art cannot take place immediately. Determination, hard work, and a plan are required to become a successful artist. Also, training to improve your talent, attract clients, and turning passion into good products can be particularly daunting. However, having someone to help you execute these are great to have. That is exactly what an art supervisor is.

The heart of the responsibility of an art supervisor is to oversee employees in the art and graphic design department. They are in charge of developing and fulfilling various projects. In simple terms, they ensure tasks meet established criteria and deadlines. Those are two responsibilities out of your plate so you can focus on your passion and art!

They usually report to the head of the department but can make everyday decisions within the department or group they supervise. Most art supervisors have a bachelor's degree. Some employers prefer candidates with three to five years of experience in any related area. Art supervisors earn an annual average of $85,364.

What general advice would you give to an art supervisor?

Edward Sobel

Associate Professor, Resident Director, Villanova University

It's important to know that theater is a relationship-based career. Look to build relationships with those with whom you share a common aesthetic and a sense of purpose. Building relationships takes time and care, and only sometimes pays immediate dividends. Remember this is a marathon, not a sprint. Be persistent. You may not ever be able to make a living in the theater. But if you quit, you definitely won't.

I'll add, many but not all who obtain a degree in theater wish to work in the profession. A theater degree, particularly within a liberal arts context, offers highly marketable and desirable skills. The theater is a collaborative art form, making those with a theater degree experience working as part of a team. The theater is storytelling. Those with a theater degree have learned how to construct a compelling narrative and to communicate it clearly. They have practiced analytical and presentational skills. They have embodied empathy. All of this position a graduate well in many other occupations, including law, teaching, advertising/marketing, social work, etc.

ScoreArt SupervisorUS Average

Salary

5.2

Avg. Salary $66,352

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.9

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.9

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.63%

Asian 7.51%

Black or African American 4.29%

Hispanic or Latino 13.94%

Unknown 5.56%

White 68.06%

Gender

female 49.01%

male 50.99%

Age - 39

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 - 39

Stress level

7.9

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.2

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.0

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an art supervisor

Explore art supervisor education requirements

Most common art supervisor degrees

Bachelor's

66.9 %

Associate

11.6 %

Master's

9.6 %

Start to develop specific art supervisor skills

Skills	Percentages
Visualization	25.51%
Brainstorming	22.85%
User Experience	11.77%
Concept Development	11.35%
Art Direction	6.75%

Complete relevant art supervisor training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New art supervisors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an art supervisor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real art supervisor resumes.

Research art supervisor duties and responsibilities

Lead 4 brands in Alcon's eye care portfolio and supervise digital and print for ECPs and consumers.
Manage art assistant, including scheduling and quality control of art photography and certificates of authenticity.
Brand development, and stewardship.Multiple new business pitches, including multiple sclerosis, diabetes, hepatitis.
Conceptualize and successfully develop numerous creative visual concepts for online sites, print materials, and PowerPoint presentations.

Prepare your art supervisor resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your art supervisor resume.

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