Ceramics Career Resources
The Career Center has built this page to provide you with valuable advice and resources relevant to your major. Explore and take advantage of what you find here to maximize your career readiness!
Common Career Paths for Ceramics Majors
If you are still trying to explore and evaluate your career path, you can check out this selected list of common job titles that alumni often pursue. Please keep in mind, this is not meant to be exhaustive. Rather, you can consider it a starting point to explore options in the field.
Ceramic Artist- Create and sell original pieces of art. This path often involves setting up a personal studio, participating in art shows, and marketing work online or in galleries.
Ceramic Designer - Make functional or decorative ceramic pieces, often working for manufacturers or design studios. This role might involve developing new products, working on prototypes, and collaborating with other designers.
Ceramic Studio Technician- Work in academic or professional settings, managing kilns, glazes, and other materials. They support artists and students by maintaining equipment and ensuring that ceramic processes run smoothly.
Art Administrator - Manage and support the operations of art organizations, such as galleries, museums, art centers, or cultural institutions. Exact responsibilities can vary widely depending on the size and focus of the organization.
Museum / Gallery Curator - Organize exhibitions, manage collections, and support artists while working for institutions that exhibit artwork. This path often requires a graduate degree in a specialized field such as art history or museum studies for career advancement.
Art Educator - Teach art forms at various levels, from elementary schools to universities. Teaching at the university level would likely require graduate level education.
Gallery Assistant / Coordinator - Play a key role in the smooth operation of the gallery by offering sales support, exhibition management, artist communication, and marketing assistance.
Residency Coordinator - Manage the operational functions of artist residency programs. The exact responsibilities may vary depending on the residency, but may include focuses on programming, communication, studio maintenance, fundraising, and more.
Art Conservator - Preserve and restore artworks to ensure their longevity, while often working in a museum or cultural institution. This almost always require additional levels of highly specialized graduate education.
Places Where Students Have Recently Interned - A Selected List
This is a curated list of places where students have done internships in the last few years.
Internships, Jobs, & Opportunities
Find jobs, internships, and other opportunities related to your major.
Art Curators - Internships and Fellowships
Organizations, Directories, & Communities
This is a curated selection of communities and organizations that are relevant to the field.
National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts
International Ceramic Arts Network
International Academy of Ceramics
Smithsonian - Craft and Design Show
Grants, Fellowships, and Residencies
Explore this selection of internal grant and fellow opportunities available to RISD students.
Student & Alumni Stories
Read these stories of students and alumni expressing their creativity in the professional world.
Social Justice and Sustainability Front and Center for 2023 RISD Maharam Fellows
RISD Students Show Work in NYC Summer Exhibitions
Hyundai Collaborative Propels Student Research
CreativeStudy
This free online video learning platform is presented by creatives who have dedicated their lives to sharing knowledge on financial and business topics. Use your RISD Single Sign On credentials to access it!
Learn About Grants and Residencies
The following tutorial, produced by Grants & Residencies Manager Lisa Cramer, focuses on guiding you through the application process. RISD students and alumni are encouraged to meet with us to learn more.
Learn About Seeking Exhibition Opportunities
In this panel discussion, you'll hear directly from gallery and museum representatives along with RISD artists, who will offer specific tips and best practices to help improve your approach.