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Job outlook for exhibit artists in the United States
Are exhibit artist jobs in demand?
Exhibit artist job and salary trends over time
Exhibit artist jobs over time
Exhibit artist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 188 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 206 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 234 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 200 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 238 | 0.00% |
Average exhibit artist salary over time
Exhibit artist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $61,336 | $29.49 | +1.4% |
| 2024 | $60,517 | $29.09 | +1.4% |
| 2023 | $59,697 | $28.70 | --2.0% |
| 2022 | $60,918 | $29.29 | +4.5% |
| 2021 | $58,302 | $28.03 | +8.9% |
Exhibit artist jobs by state
Most common states for exhibit artists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 39,536,653 | 335 | 1% |
| 2 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 73 | 1% |
| 3 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 61 | 1% |
| 4 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 56 | 1% |
| 5 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 41 | 1% |
| 6 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 24 | 1% |
| 7 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 21 | 1% |
| 8 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 16 | 1% |
| 9 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 10 | 1% |
| 10 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 10 | 1% |
| 11 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 4 | 1% |
| 12 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 4 | 1% |
| 13 | New York | 19,849,399 | 67 | 0% |
| 14 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 22 | 0% |
| 15 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 5 | 0% |
| 16 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 4 | 0% |
| 17 | Delaware | 961,939 | 3 | 0% |
| 18 | Alaska | 739,795 | 1 | 0% |
| 19 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 1 | 0% |
| 20 | Vermont | 623,657 | 0 | 0% |
Exhibit Artist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of exhibit artist experts
Michigan State University
Florida Gulf Coast University
Xavier University
University of Missouri - Kansas City
Muhlenberg College
University of North Texas
What general advice would you give to an Exhibit Artist?
Wanda Sullivan MFA: In addition to full time practicing artists, our studio art graduates work in a variety of jobs. We have alumni in art administration positions, a tenured professor at Auburn, elementary and high school art teachers, an education director at the Center for Craft and even a curator at the Field Museum in Chicago. The common thread that they all have in common is a strong foundation in creative problem solving. Art is fundamental to the human condition. We are born wired to create. In a sense, art gives flavor to life through color, form, line, texture and shapes. Art is communication, a non-verbal language that connects us across backgrounds, cultures and generations, it is what makes us human.
What general advice would you give to an Exhibit Artist?
Assistant Professor Trish Gianakis: A fine artist's day-to-day activities are basically focused on creating art. There are other tasks as well, such as marketing, networking, collaborating with other artists, research and teaching workshops or classes. At a beginner level when someone is entering the field of fine art, typical activities focus on building their skill and a specific style to stand out. While developing their portfolio, going to art shows and getting into the art community to meet other artists and gallery owners to establish themselves in the artistic community. Many artists work multiple jobs in order to sustain their income while they figure out the specific style to make themselves stand out.
What general advice would you give to an Exhibit Artist?
Teresa Dunn: In general artists make because they are driven by internal impulse to create. I would not describe that as like or dislike, but as being compelled to make something from nothing or transform something into something else completely new. There are many layers to why a person chooses to be an artist including the personal satisfaction of making something beautiful, compelling, incredible, shocking, or even disturbing. There is also the pleasure of providing joy to others, being provocative or evocative—the reaction of an audience is exciting. Downsides to the profession are learning to cope with failure—not everything an artist makes is worth keeping or is well received; rejection—an artist does not always get the exhibitions, sales, awards, and opportunities they would like or are worthy of receiving; the bureaucracy—dealing with things like taxes, paperwork, and organization of schedules are the necessary but less glamorous aspects of being an artist.
What will help Exhibit Artists increase their earning potential?
Teresa Dunn: For many artists a typical daily scenario and often the main priority is to be in the studio making their artwork. However, for those whose work is primarily performative or social practice, the studio might not be the most important place for creative discovery. In addition, artists have such varied practices and unique demands that there is not a simple way to answer this question. It can be a combination of many activities such as being in the studio making artwork, preparing materials to create their work, reading, doing research, traveling to see artwork in galleries and museums, attending exhibitions or residencies, working with assistants, networking, applying for shows, engaging with community, teaching, etc.
Steve Hughart II
Laboratory Coordinator I/ Adjunct ProfessorFlorida Gulf Coast University
Fine And Studio Arts
What general advice would you give to an Exhibit Artist?
Steve Hughart II: Advice I would give to a graduate beginning their career in Art would be to enter as many shows and exhibitions as possible. Not just in Florida either, expand your focus to regional and national exhibitions as well. Gain as much exposure as you can and make a lot of work to show off. To put it simply, the more you make the better you will get. People will always appreciate a well-crafted handmade item before and artificially made one.
What will help Exhibit Artists increase their earning potential?
Steve Hughart II: The most important skills that I would suggest would be to learn and understand the Adobe Creative Cloud Applications such as Photoshop and Illustrator for example. These platforms will benefit you immensely in the art field in a ton of different ways. All artists will use these applications in one form or another. That being said, I would also encourage everyone to do as much work as possible with your hands. Learn to use power tools, pick up a piece of paper and pencil instead of the iPad, use a real camera instead of your phone. With AI growing so fast digital media work will all be AI generated, so focusing on improving your editing skills and creating with your hands will be where the jobs are.
What general advice would you give to an Exhibit Artist?
Professor Kelly Phelps M.F.A.: Fine Artist work! We have professions like any other. Many fine artist have art as his or her primary gig. Some have use art as their secondary job. Fine Artist try to work in his or her craft on a daily basis. Artist work in the studio, work on self -promotion, fix equipment, seek opportunities, exhibit, network/collaborate with other artist.
What Exhibit Artist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Professor Kelly Phelps M.F.A.: Fine Arts is a great profession because creativity is needed everywhere. Artist/Designers are the makers of everything! There is an opportunity where art can be found in nearly any career.
Carla Noack
Associate Professor of Theatre, ActingUniversity of Missouri - Kansas City
Drama/Theatre Arts And Stagecraft
What Exhibit Artist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Carla Noack: Be a good collaborator: always show up and on time; treat everyone as a potential scene partner; embrace surprises and challenges; connect with audience members; find “day jobs” between production work that are flexible and engaging; nurture a desire to learn everything about everything.
What will help Exhibit Artists increase their earning potential?
Carla Noack: The world needs humans who know how to solve problems creatively and joyfully; who can express themselves clearly and tell stories effectively; who are willing to connect to others in real space and time through vulnerability and empathy; who have skills in listening—helping others feel heard and valued; and who can inspire all of us to envision new ways of working, learning and living together.
What Exhibit Artist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jeffrey Fracé: More and more, the actor, director, or designer who is also a creator has a better chance of succeeding in the field. This means creating new work in any medium — original live performance, writing and shooting your own movie (low-budget or no-budget is absolutely legit), or creating online content, for example. This also means creating opportunities for yourself instead of waiting for them to arrive — “put yourself out there” is a cliché, but more necessary than ever. To have the best chances for success with your original work, you will also need to be a producer and marketer. The next most important skill is interdisciplinary collaboration. Learn how you work with other people and practice to get better at it. Hone your listening skills, and develop interest in other disciplines and how they intersect with yours. Practice bravery and flexibility in how you approach new projects and collaborative partnerships.
What will help Exhibit Artists increase their earning potential?
Jeffrey Fracé: I recommend that before you graduate, you think about where you want to live and make a plan to move there. Consider factors such where are the artists doing the kind of work you are interested in doing, whom do you already know there, and are there opportunities to earn a living as you break into the field. Meet as many people as you can in your chosen place — whomever you want to work with, get to know their work better and reach out to them. Meanwhile, keep active by continuing to train yourself, because in theater or film/TV, it’s very common for there to be gaps between projects as you are starting out. Keep your cost of living low, and try not to wear yourself out at your day job. Do something every day that reminds you that you are an artist, whether it’s rehearsing your monologues, working on a scene with a friend, taking classes, writing, composing or playing music, whatever helps you feel creative.
What general advice would you give to an Exhibit Artist?
Emily Potts: The day-to-day work is difficult to define because it depends heavily on the path an individual chooses, driven by their own goals, talents, and dreams. Fine artists are equipped with portfolios that demonstrate technical skill and can translate that into a wide range of employment opportunities. These include commercial art, non-profit work, art management, teaching, animation, skilled crafts like jewelry making and steel fabrication, and even developing proposals and grant writing for public and site-specific commissions. Fine arts are truly expansive in nature.
What will help Exhibit Artists increase their earning potential?
Emily Potts: Fine art requires strong discipline, constant creative thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. While the breadth of the field might initially overwhelm some, the stereotype that there are no jobs in the arts is simply untrue. Artists need to find their niche and develop the skills and portfolio to back it up. A fine arts degree is not an ending point, but a springboard. By professionally presenting their creative work, artists can propel themselves into jobs they are passionate about and truly believe in.
What general advice would you give to an Exhibit Artist?
Carol Pelletier: I think most people love the creative space of being in the studio working on the next project, exhibiting their work and having it viewed by other artists and the greater public. The greatest frustration for most artists is work-life balance, like any other field.
What Exhibit Artist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Carol Pelletier: The Studio Arts is a great place for those individuals who want to enter creative fields while fostering the spirit of entrepreneurship, while Art Therapy utilizes the arts for healing.
What will help Exhibit Artists increase their earning potential?
Carol Pelletier: Many of our students go on to become practicing artists, exhibiting nationally and internationally. Here are a few names for you. Danielle Fretwell, recently had her first solo show in London at the Alice Amati Gallery. Kat Giordano, another studio art major recently graduated with the MFA in Painting from Goldsmiths University of London and is preparing for shows at the Stapleford Granary in Cambridgeshire and at Lampo in London. Kevin Ivester, another studio art major, owns and operates one of the top Contemporary Art Galleries in Austin Texas called Ivester Contemporary. Holly Nichols is an artist, illustrator and author with over 3 million followers on Instagram. Our other majors in the Fine Arts include Art Therapy and those students become practicing Art Therapists after pursuing the Master's degree in Art Therapy or Expressive Arts Therapies. Brittany Quinn owns her own LLC called Green Lotus Art Therapy in Berlin Connecticut where she and other practitioners she hires provide art therapy and counseling services to individuals.
What Exhibit Artist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Hartmut Austen: Apprenticeships in an artist's studio or workshop, embrace physical labor. Develop soft skills such as connecting with others, having a healthy sense of self, and curiosity.
James Thurman
Coordinator, Studio Art: Metalsmithing and Jewelry Program, Associate ProfessorUniversity of North Texas
Department of Studio Art
What skills stand out on Exhibit Artist resumes?
James Thurman: In general, I think it's important to convey a strong sense of professionalism blended with a commitment to the visual arts (exhibitions, related employment experience). A developed personal aesthetic is essential and can be easily conveyed with well-designed materials (cover letter, CV, etc.). Specific to Metalsmithing & Jewelry, my experience in digital fabrication (3d printing, laser cutting, CNC machining, etc.) are in high demand and has been the primary avenue that our alumni have been recently employed.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Exhibit Artists?
James Thurman: Obviously, this is dependent on the position. For all related opportunities in the visual arts, a high degree of digital literacy is expected. As I mentioned, digital fabrication is increasingly a key skill for many professional opportunities in the visual arts: commission proposals, shop management, jewelry design, etc.
What skills will help Exhibit Artists earn the most?
James Thurman: This is very dependent on the desired career path. I have seen alumni be very successful when they have advanced specialized skills in their particular field. For example, in Metalsmithing & Jewelry, many jewelry companies are still upgrading from handwork to digital modeling for client proposals (which eventually are 3d printed and cast in metal). If pursuing a more independent path (self-employment), being able to market, promote, and network effectively is critical. Finding suitable opportunities (either commission, grants, residencies, or other funding opportunities) and successfully land those opportunities is also essential.