Arts Careers

“Arts” covers a variety of disciplines — the visual and performing arts, auction houses and museums. Passion, perseverance, and patience are vital to success, as is strategic networking.

Like any other field, there are some larger institutions, theaters and galleries with set hiring timelines. Otherwise, employers hire on an as-needed basis.

Information Gathering

If you are interested in a career in the arts, you must be able to demonstrate to employers that you follow the field closely. Read trade magazines, newsletters, and popular industry websites. Join relevant email lists. Follow industry insiders on social media. Research the types of positions that are available in your field. Vault (available for free to Georgetown students) is a good place to start your search. Company websites, O*NET, and the Occupational Outlook Handbook can help you learn about the types of jobs in your field. Associations also track industry trends and provide valuable insight to both their members and those interested in the industry

Select Arts Associations

Americans for the Arts
Americans for the Arts serves, advances and leads the network of organizations and individuals who cultivate, promote, sustain and support the arts in America.

American Alliance of Museums
Since 1906 the Alliance has been a leader in developing best practices and advocating for museums, as well as providing a host of opportunities to museum staff and volunteers. More than 35,000 individual museum professionals and volunteers, institutions, and corporate partners benefit from the work of the Alliance.

AIGA, The Professional Association for Design
Founded in 1914 as the American Institute of Graphic Arts, AIGA is now known simply as “AIGA, the professional association for design.”

Artist Communities Alliance
ACA is a resource for artists, providing a searchable residency directory that spans disciplines; and other resources to help artists find, apply and fund a residency experience.

The Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP)
APAP supports and educates today’s and tomorrow’s performing arts leaders.

HowlRound Theatre Commons
HowlRound is a free and open platform for theatremakers worldwide that amplifies progressive, disruptive ideas about the art form and facilitates connection between diverse practitioners.

HumanitiesDC
HumanitiesDC is one of 56 state councils supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities to ensure the humanities are available to all.

MuseumNext
MuseumNext is on a mission to connect the most interesting museum thinkers on the planet. Our community comes together for inspiration, ideas and to share their experiences at MuseumNext conferences held online and in cultural capitals around the globe.

Theatre Communications Group (TCG)
Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American theatre, was founded in 1961 with a grant from the Ford Foundation to foster communication among professional, community and university theaters.

Making Connections

Attend employer information sessions, industry events (on and off-campus), and connect with the local chapter of popular professional organizations.

Professional associations host a variety of professional development, educational and networking events. If the cost of membership is prohibitive, contact leadership and ask if there are sliding scale prices for students. Volunteering for a conference, educational, or social event is another great way to connect with leaders in the industry.

Develop a LinkedIn profile that communicates your personal and professional brand. Joining groups related to your industry is a great way to meet new people, find mentors and contacts, and ask them questions. Reach out to alumni through Hoya Gateway, the alumni section of Georgetown’s LinkedIn page. Our website provides helpful guidelines on networking, including tips on building your LinkedIn profile. 

Making Connections at Georgetown

Joining a school club is another excellent way to learn more about the arts, develop your skills, and get hands-on experience. Georgetown offers a number of opportunities for Hoyas to get involved. Check out the Mask and Bauble Dramatic Society, Bossier Magazine, or the Black Movements Dance Theatre to name a few examples.

Join a group based on your personal interest and develop your professional skills. For example, if you are interested in graphic design, you could join Georgetown University Women in Leadership and work on the communications or design team.

On and off-campus jobs are another excellent way to build skills that employers value. According to a new report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), the following are key attributes employers seek in new hires — all qualities Georgetown students have in abundance:

  • Problem-solving skills
  • Ability to work in a team
  • Communication skills (written)
  • Leadership
  • Strong work ethic
  • Analytical/quantitative skills
  • Communication skills (verbal)
  • Initiative
  • Detail-oriented
  • Flexibility/adaptability

Preparing Your Application Materials

To better understand what skills to highlight on your resume, check out internships, fellowships, and entry-level positions in the arts. When you are searching for opportunities, note that “coordinator” and “assistant” are commonly used words in entry-level job titles. Many of the organizations and associations listed above have their own career pages. Other arts organizations with job boards include:

If the roles you are seeking are more operational or educational in nature, you can follow our resume formatting guide for tips and advice. If you are an actor or interested in working backstage, your resume will look slightly different and focus on performances, awards, training, and directing experience.

If you are interested in the design industry, you may be required to have a portfolio or “book” of your best work or a website that doubles as your portfolio. The following courses on LI Learning can help you reflect on your work and design a portfolio that fits your needs:

You may also need to have a visual resume, either as a supplement to your traditional resume or instead of it. Be sure to research the application requirements in your industry. Free virtual tools for designing a portfolio include WIX, Behance and Crevado.

Applying

Student jobs in the arts, volunteer positions and internships enable you to gain valuable professional experience prior to graduation.

If you are having a difficult time finding a full-time job after graduation you may want to consider a post-graduation internship or fellowship, which are common in these industries, and often lead to full-time employment.

Select Employers and Internships