Art Teacher Jobs - Postsecondary

You can find art teacher jobs in a variety of settings including high schools, colleges and universities, community programs and private art studios.

The responsibilities, wages and required qualifications art education jobs will vary widely depending upon the type of setting you are interested in. This page focuses on art teaching jobs in a post secondary setting.

If you are interested in secondary school art teaching jobs, please see the page Art Education Jobs. While a lot of the information between the two jobs is similar, there are some key differences, particularly in terms of salary expectations and educational requirements.

Postsecondary Art Teaching Jobs - Typical Tasks

• Instruct students, usually in groups in large lecture halls or smaller seminar groups
  
• Explain and demonstrate a variety of artistic techniques
  
• Prepare and deliver to students lectures on art history and techniques
  
• Establish clear objectives for the overall course as well as for each lesson
  
• Prepare course materials, materials for in-class activities, homework assignments, exams and handouts
  
• Evaluate students' class work and assignments
  
• Prepare students for assessments
  
• Organize student art shows
  
• Keep current on recent developments in the field
  
• Advise students on course selection and career issues
  
• Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other records
  
• Classroom management - establish expectations and procedures for maintaining order
  
• Perform research on subject area of specialization
  
• May use technology to teach online distance learning courses
  
• May serve on committees to address school academic or administrative policies

Skills and Knowledge Required

• Postsecondary art teacher jobs require a general knowledge of fine arts (theory, history, techniques etc.) as well as a comprehensive knowledge of an area of specialization.
• Art education teachers must understand principles of curriculum design, current learning theories and assessment strategies.
• Art instructors must be able to communicate and work well with students
• Self motivation is necessary as postsecondary instructors work with limited supervision.

Personality Traits

People in art teacher jobs are generally artistic, social and enterprising. People who are artistic seek self expression in their work and prefer jobs that do not require following a clear set of rules. People who are social like jobs in helping professions; they view themselves as being helpful, friendly, and trustworthy. Individuals who are enterprising enjoy work that involves persuading or directing others.

Job Opportunities and Earning Potential

Employment growth in this field is expected to be above average through to 2018. This growth is expected to a result of increased college and university enrolment due to an increase in the population of 18-24 year olds in the U.S. Adults returning to school will also create opportunities for postsecondary art teachers.

Expect to face strong competition particularly for tenure track positions. More opportunities will be available for part time and non-tenured positions. People who have earned a Ph.D. will have the most job options, but there will also be opportunities for individuals with master's degrees at community colleges.^{Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor}

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, annual wages for postsecondary art teacher jobs ranged from approximately $33,000 to $112,000, with the median wage being approximately $60,000. ^{Source: United States Bureau of Labor}

Education Requirements for Becoming a Postsecondary Art Teacher

Required qualifications for art teachers vary depending on the specific subject being taught and the type of educational institution.

To teach art as a self enrichment art instructor (i.e. teach courses other than those that lead to a career objective or degree) some related education, and experience are typically required. There are fewer formal education requirements for this type of art teaching jobs, compared with other jobs teaching art.

Jobs as post secondary (college or university) art instructors normally require completion of graduate school - either a master's degree or a Ph.D. in fine arts. A Ph.D. is usually required for full time, tenure track teaching jobs, but a master's degree may be acceptable for part time or non-tenured postsecondary teaching jobs.

For tips on how to complete your own research on art jobs not featured here, or for tips on how to find art teacher job information for countries not included here, please see the article Art Career - How to Research Art Careers