Sculpture 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 Sculpture 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 Art Sculptor - Create and sell sculptural artwork. This can often be done professionally through galleries, private commissions, or public art installations.
Artisan or Craftsperson - Work in specialized areas like metalworking or woodworking to create functional or decorative pieces that are then sold commercially. This might be done independently, or collaboratively as part of a product manufacturer.
Public / Installation Artist - Create art intended for public spaces and communities through murals, sculptures, installations, performances, or other forms of art. Public artists might work on projects commissioned by municipalities, organizations, event organizers, or community groups.
Art Fabricator - Assist in creating large-scale sculptures or installations by providing technical expertise and physical construction. One might be employed either by an individual artist or by a fabrication company / foundry.
Set Designer - Design and create three-dimensional environments for theater, film, or television. This often involves freelancing from creative project to project.
3D Modeler- Use digital tools to create three-dimensional models for video games, animations, products, virtual reality, and other media.
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 sculpture and other 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 sculptures and other 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.
The Carving Studio & Sculpture Center
International Studio & Curatorial Program
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Internships, Jobs, & Opportunities
Find jobs, internships, and other opportunities related to your major.
International Sculpture Center
Art Curators - Internships and Fellowships
Organizations, Directories, & Communities
This is a curated selection of communities and organizations that are relevant to the field.
International Sculpture Center
Grants, Fellowships, and Residencies
Explore this selection of internal grant and fellowship opportunities available to RISD students.
Student & Alumni Stories
Read these stories of students and alumni expressing their creativity in the professional world.
Fine Arts Portfolio Review Helps Students Consider Life After RISD
RISD MFAs Show Work in NYC Summer Exhibitions
Maharam Fellows Explore New Frontiers
Eckhaus Latta Follows Its Own Lead
Somerson Sustainability Innovation Grants Support Groundbreaking 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.