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2009 Job Outlook for Artists
Valerie Atkisson / ArtBistro
Despite an expanding number of opportunities, art directors should experience keen competition for the available openings. Craft and fine artists work mostly on a freelance or commission basis and may find it difficult to earn a living solely by selling their artwork. Only the most successful craft and fine artists receive major commissions for their work.
Competition among artists for the privilege of being shown in galleries is expected to remain acute, as will competition for grants from sponsors such as private foundations, State and local arts councils, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
The growth in computer graphics packages and stock art Web sites is making it easier for writers, publishers, and art directors to create their own illustrations. As the use of this technology grows, there will be fewer opportunities for illustrators. However, it also has opened up new opportunities for illustrators who prefer to work digitally. Salaried cartoonists will have fewer job opportunities because many newspapers and magazines increasingly rely on freelance work.
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productionmaven
8 months ago
14 comments
Gee, JC not that your showing your party colors or anything like that. ;-)
What part of a “Doom & Gloom” outlook would work for the benefit of anybody? Of, course these statistics are going to push a positive slant. It is, as a matter of personal history, a repeating loop that when the economy tanks, we (artists, designers, communication and marketing contributors) tank with it, and then we are the first to get called back (at much lower rates than before the tanking) to create messages which bring everything back to square. That’s what we do.
Unfortunately, I am old enough to remember the late 70s and 80s tanking for our chosen vocation. But, just as the article implies (not predicts) the work started to pour in, life came back to normal and the jobs - were once again - in a plethora of disciplines for all to partake. Chin-up, eyes straight, and focus on the goal - we'll get there.
JCfromDC
8 months ago
142 comments
The Bureau of Labor & Statistics says so? Let me quote Mark Twain: "There are liars, damned liars, and there are statisticians". Nuff said.
Brought to you by the same moral authority who can't fill His cabinet posts with people who actually PAY their taxes