Many of my clients also practice some form of art, whether it’s acting, writing, visual arts, dance, design, and more. Some of them want to earn a living, while others feel strongly that they don’t want the pressure of monetizing their art. Feeling forced to earn a living at it would crush their joy in creating. Because I’m a client-centered Career Counselor, I support them in their goals, while also asking key questions and encouraging research and reflection. Whichever perspective they have–earning a living with their art or not–I recognize the role of art in their lives and the importance of making room for their practice, whatever career path they choose.
Additionally, sometimes they are building an art-focused career that will eventually earn them a living, but in the meanwhile they need another income stream that earns a higher income. Many clients feel drawn to earning multiple streams of income, whether one is specifically in the arts or not, as this allows them to learn and grow a variety of skills and interests they wouldn’t have had the opportunity to learn and grow from just one career path. Multiple income streams also often aligns with a top value of Freedom, freedom from punching a time clock every day and depending on one employer for their security. On reflection, I think building a career with multiple income streams is an act of creativity in itself!
As you can imagine, some arts-focused careers pay significantly more than others. The higher paying careers tend to intersect with business or technology or both, though not always. An established fine artist or film/commercial actor can earn an impressive salary, for example.
I recently found an art career-focused site called The Art Career Project that provides a wealth of information about the spectrum of art careers, including: Applied Art, Art Studies (often interdisciplinary), Craft and Fine Art, and Digital Art careers. In the “Frequently Asked Questions” section near the bottom of the landing page, it shares the following thoughts on income:
Compensation in the arts varies widely depending on the role, experience level, and industry. For example, entry-level fine artists may earn modest incomes, while creative directors in advertising or UX designers in tech can earn six-figure salaries. Many artists also supplement income through freelance projects, commissions, or teaching. While it’s true that some art careers start with lower pay, strong portfolios, networking, and specialization can lead to lucrative opportunities over time.”
What I know to be true is that pursuing a career in the arts does take time to build skill and passion to weather the vulnerability and challenges one will likely encounter on the path to success. And even if a person has passion and the ability to invest time in their art, they still may choose to prioritize their creative process but NOT choose to monetize it. It’s their freedom of choice!