How to Get Real World Art Experience
By Rebecca McCoy, N2Arts Correspondent
Tips for becoming a professional artist while you are still a student
 

hink you’re too young to get experience in the art world? Think you have to live in a big city? Think again. As an artist you probably already know that art is all around you and that there are many different types of art and artists. So how do you get on the inside of the professional art world? Get creative! Below are five ways you can get started.

1. You can volunteer your time or get a job at one the following:

• summer art fairs
• local art centers
• local art organization
• gallery
• museum

If you aren’t sure how to start, find a place where you can take art classes or see new exhibits? Check to see if your school has any kind of volunteer or internship program. Many museums and other nonprofit organizations already have volunteer programs. Talk to the person who organizes volunteers and give them an idea of what you’d like to do. Do you want to be behind the scenes or on the front line? Either way, you’ll see first hand what goes on in the inside. You may do some painting or carpentry if you help prepare for a show, or do some clerical work helping out with mailings and publications like newsletters or press releases, or you may help out at exhibits or special events. Not everything will be glamorous, but keep your eyes and ears open and ask questions.

2. You can shadow a local artist.

When you shadow someone it’s a way to get a day-in the-life point of view. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to work full-time as an artist, this is good way to find out. Do you know any local artists in your area? Ask your family, friends, and art teachers to see if they can suggest anyone. Once you find someone to shadow, make sure have some questions ready and be willing to help them out. If you hit it off, you may be able to assist the artist with future events and gain even more experience.

3. You can assist teaching children’s art classes, camps, or after-school programs.

Many artists teach and share their knowledge with others while doing their own work on the side. By assisting a teacher, you benefit from their knowledge and experience. It’s also a great way to learn new things about your self and your own work. You have to help come up with class projects, demonstrate how to do it, and find out how to encourage children to express themselves. Getting someone else excited about what you love to do can be an amazing feeling.

4. You can take classes yourself.

As an artist, you are always growing and changing. Challenge yourself by taking a class outside of school. Try a class in a medium you’ve never tried before: water color, charcoal, or ceramics. A different class with a different teacher can help you get a new perspective and open you up to new ideas. You’ll probably meet some new people too and in the professional art world, artists are always networking.

5. You can go into business yourself and sell your services.

What makes someone a professional? It’s selling a piece of work. Think about what you can do? It doesn’t have to be a painting. Trying selling a mural, portrait, or cartoon? Just coming up with a plan for starting your own art business is good real world experience.

Rebecca McCoy is a freelance writer based in Baltimore, Maryland. She attended a small liberal arts school as an undergraduate, a large university as a graduate student and she now lives across the street from an art school. She can be reached at rebeccamccoy@hotmail.com