Careers for Artists

Mural artist during graduate open studio.

The faculty and staff at UB work hard to ensure that our students have the opportunities, feedback, and professional training they need to turn their art and design education into a meaningful and successful career after they leave the Department of Art.

Our alumni have outstanding national and international reputations and have received numerous commissions and awards. Alumni are currently working at leading colleges, universities, and cultural institutions as professors, designers, art directors, curators, art handlers, and conservators. We also have alumni who are pursuing a wide range of creative careers in design and advertising firms, galleries, museums, alternative art spaces, and governmental agencies. Please visit our alumni page for more details about our featured alumni and their recent achievements in the field.

According to Strategic National Arts Alumni Project (SNAAP), Individuals who work in art and design fields report some of the highest levels of job satisfaction in America, and 21st century employers are on the lookout for a creative workforce. A vast majority of our graduates end up pursuing careers in art and design. With UB’s alumni network of over 230,000 and the Art Department’s commitment to one-on-one advising, our students leave their undergraduate education ready to tackle a competitive job market.

Some Job Possibilities

Professional Fine Artist

  • Bio Art
  • Drawing
  • Illustration
  • Mixed Media 
  • Painting
  • Performance
  • Photography
  • Printmaker 
  • Robotics
  • Sculpture
  • Video

Teaching

  • College Professor
  • K-12 Teacher
  • Continuing Education
  • Tutor
  • Community Art Center Classes

Administrative

  • Art Director
  • Arts Administration
  • Arts Editor
  • Art Historian
  • Art Librarian
  • Researchers
  • Scholars
  • Writers

Design

  • 3D Design
  • Costume Designer
  • Digital Reproduction
  • Illustration
  • Graphic Designer
  • Lighting Designer
  • Pattern Designer
  • Product Designer
  • Set Designer
  • Sign Makers
  • Virtual Design
  • Web Design

Graphics and Print Industry

  • Digital Pre-press
  • Digital Retouching
  • General Print Production
  • Inkjet Printing
  • Large and Small Format Printing
  • Layout
  • Negative Retouching
  • Offset Printing
  • Photographic Printing
  • Publishing
  • Screen Printers

Museums and Galleries

  • Art Installation
  • Catalog Design
  • Curator
  • Director
  • Events Organizers

Photography

  • Commercial Photographer
  • Documentary Photographer
  • Events Photographer
  • Fashion Photographer
  • Freelance Photographer
  • Medical Photographer
  • Portrait Photographer
  • Product Photographer
  • Science Photographer
  • Wedding Photographer

Other Opportunities

  • Community Arts Worker
  • Social Commentator
  • Social Designer
  • Tattoo Artist