Painting 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 Painting 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.
Fine Artist - Create and sell artwork through galleries, exhibitions, and online platforms. Artists may also participate in art fairs or take commissions for custom work.
Muralist - Specialize in creating large-scale artworks, typically painted directly onto walls or other large surfaces. One is commissioned to work on projects ranging from public art installations and community murals to private commissions and commercial spaces.
Surface Pattern Designer - Design repeating patterns for textiles, wallpaper, stationery, and other products by utilizing artistic skills with an understanding of design and market trends.
Colorist - Focus on the expert use of color theory within various fields such as graphic design, fashion, animation, and products. Utilize software and tools to achieve precise color adjustments and effects.
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 Critic or Writer - Review and write about art for magazines, newspapers, blogs, or other media outlets. This often involves a deep understanding of art history and contemporary trends, along with writing skill. This is frequently done on a freelance basis.
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.
Whitney Museum of American Art
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.
Alliance of Artist Communities
National Assembly of State Arts Agencies
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.
RISD Students Show Work in NYC Summer Exhibitions
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.