Art Teacher

Art Teacher Career

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Art Teachers educate their students about the creation of art. You generally focus on making art (e.g., using clay, painting pictures, etc.), but you might teach art history and theory as well. Most Art Teachers are practicing artists who teach out of a passion for education and/or the desire for extra income and stability.

Your duties vary according to the level of your students. If you teach at an elementary or middle school your instruction is very basic (pinch pots!). At a high school level you will be more advanced, spending your days correcting technique and propounding art history. If you are not overly fond of children consider being an Art Teacher at an Art Center—your students will be adults, and you can choose to specialize your courses instead of covering the better part of painting, pottery, drawing, and mosaics in six weeks.

If you just want to work with serious students look at becoming an Art Professor. This is the academic path of art education and you will offer courses only in your expertise. At this position you are part Artist, part Art Critic, and a force in shaping how future art trends develop. One of the top benefits is the financial security this position offers, so you can experiment and innovate without worrying if your work will sell.

No matter what level you teach, you are there to connect with and encourage your students.

How do I become an Art Teacher?

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Teaching is a rather easy field to enter, though both a teaching certificate and a college degree are almost always required. If you want to become a professor, an advanced degree and a respectable body of work are going to be prerequisites. So start painting!