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Music & Arts

Is music your passion? Are you talented with a pen or a paintbrush? A career in the arts is a very special thing. But it's not all glamorous! Professional musicians put in hours of practice, then pound the pavement in search of opportunities to perform. Visual artists struggle to find inspiration, and face public criticism of their ideas and their skills. Actors face constant rejection as they go through the audition process. Determined to make it in the arts? Don't despair! If this life is for you, talent and hard work can take you far.

PHOTOGRAPHER

In a Nutshell

young male photographer

Do you like taking pictures or working with cameras? If so, you might want to consider a career as a photographer. Photographers take pictures of people, places or things. They use different tools such as cameras, lights, lenses and film to create a picture. Many photographers use computers to finish their work.

These are a few of the types of photography jobs out there:

  • News/Magazine Photographer — takes pictures for newspapers or magazines.
  • Fashion Photographer — takes pictures of models or celebrities for fashion catalogues, magazines and Web sites.
  • Product Photographer — photographs objects and products for catalogues, brochures, Web sites and other marketing materials.
  • Paparazzi — takes pictures of famous celebrities and sells them to magazines, Web sites and other news outlets.
  • Event Photographer — takes pictures only of weddings or school graduations.
  • Government Photographer — works for a government agency. Takes pictures of government officials, employees and events for publications and Web sites.
  • Freelance Photographer — Can work in any or a combination of the above jobs. They can choose the type of pictures they want to take. They can make their own schedules. They may not always have a job.

Get Ahead

  • Seek a college degree in photography. Take courses related to science.
  • Read newsletters, magazines and books about photography.
  • Join camera clubs, work in camera stores or photo studios.

Earning Power (2008)

  • Nationally, the middle half of photographers earned between $9.36 and $19.85 per hour.
  • In Texas, they earned between $8.32 and $15.40 per hour.

They Did It

  • Annie Leibowitz
  • Helmut Newton
  • Ansel Adams

ACTOR

In a Nutshell

If you love acting and performing for your family and friends, you may want to consider a career in acting. It's not easy for actors to find steady, paying work. Only a few actors become famous movie stars. Some actors work as "extras," with no lines or only a couple of lines. Some actors work other jobs in order to make enough money. These are a few of the types of acting jobs out there:

  • Movie or Television Actor — appears in television commercials, series and in films.
  • Theater Actor — works in productions on stage, on Broadway or in community theaters around the world.
  • Extra — hired simply to "fill out" scenes, to walk down the street or sit in a restaurant, car or bus while filming is taking place around them. They may or may not have any spoken lines.
  • Cruise Line/Theme Park Entertainer — appears in productions aboard cruise lines or theme parks.

Get Ahead

  • Train at an acting school or in a college program.
  • Work with a drama coach.
  • Learning a foreign language or skills such as singing, dancing, skating or juggling may be important.
  • Modeling experience may be helpful.

Earning Power (2008)

  • Nationally, the middle half of all actors earned between $8.73 and $18.28 per hour.
  • In Texas, they earned between $7.71 and $28.70 per hour.

They Did It

  • Daniel Radcliffe
  • Robert Pattinson
  • Meryl Streep
  • Zac Efron
  • Leonardo DiCaprio

ARTIST

In a Nutshell

Do you like to paint, draw or sculpt? If so, you may want to be an artist. Artists make art to express their ideas and feelings. They may use different methods such as drawing or painting and use different materials such as paints, pencils, pens, clay and computers. Many artists work in art studios or for publications. Others work in their homes.

These are a few of the types of jobs for artists:

  • Art Directors — design and choose art that is going to be used in magazines and newspapers.
  • Multi-media Artists and Animators - create art on film or with computers. They draw by hand and use computers to create the large pictures that form movies, television programs and video games.
  • Fine Artists - create original art. They may specialize in one or two art forms, such as painting, sculpting and printmaking.
  • Illustrators - create pictures for magazines, books and other publications. Illustrators work directly on a computer or in conventional media. Medical and scientific illustrators combine drawing skills with knowledge of biology or other sciences.
  • Sculptors - make artwork using clay, glass, wire, fabric, plaster, wood or stone. Some combine materials to make art.

Get Ahead

  • Take art courses in high school.
  • Many colleges and universities offer bachelor's or master's degree programs in fine arts.
  • Independent schools of art and design offer associate and bachelor's degree programs in art.
  • Prepare a "portfolio," a collection of your work samples to help you get jobs.

Earning Power (2008)

  • Nationally, the middle half of fine artists (painters, sculptors and illustrators) earned between $13.56 and $28.89 per hour.
  • In Texas, they earned between $15.28 and $27.75 per hour.
  • The middle half of art directors earned between $24.69 and $49.11 per hour.
  • In Texas, they earned between $23.75 and $44.74 per hour.

They Did It

  • Andy Warhol
  • Pablo Picasso

DISC JOCKEY

In a Nutshell

Do you like music and enjoy speaking? If so, you may want to be a disc jockey (DJ). These are a few of the types of jobs for DJs:

  • Wedding/Event DJ - Play music at clubs, dances, restaurants and weddings. They are self-employed and often use their own equipment to play music.
  • Show Hosts - Specialize in a certain area such as politics, personal finance, sports or health. They prepare the program's content, interview guests and discuss issues with the audience.

Get Ahead

  • Take classes in broadcast journalism at a college or technical school.
  • Take classes in English, public speaking and drama.
  • A good speaking voice, correct grammar and strong writing skills are helpful.
  • Get experience at school or local radio stations.

Earning Power (2008)

  • Nationally, the middle half of radio and television announcers earned between $8.65 and $19.54 per hour.
  • In Texas, the middle half of radio and television announcers earned between $8.98 and $19.65 per hour.

They Did It

  • Ryan Seacrest
  • Dick Clark
  • Casey Kasem
  • Rick Dees

DESIGNER

In a Nutshell

If you like creating things such as cars, clothes or Web sites, you may want to be a designer. Designers create drawings with a computer or by hand. Many of them use computer-aided design (CAD) tools. Many of them specialize.

These are a few of the types of jobs for designers:

  • Commercial and Industrial Designers - develop manmade products such as toys and furniture.
  • Fashion Designers - create clothing and accessories such as shoes, purses or hats.
  • Floral Designers - put together live or fake flowers.
  • Graphic Designers - use computer software to design and layout newspapers and publications.
  • Set and Exhibit Designers - create sets for movie, television and stage productions.

Get Ahead

  • Attend a professional design school, get an associate degree or pursue a bachelor's degree.
  • Many fashion and graphic designers get a degree in the fine arts.
  • Industrial and commercial designers may get a degree in architecture or engineering.

Earning Power (2008)

  • Nationally, the middle half of floral designers earned between $8.76 and $13.79 per hour. The middle half of fashion designers earned between $20.17 and $43.05 per hour.
  • In Texas, the middle half of floral designers earned between $8.32 and $12.20 per hour. The middle half of graphic designers earned between $14.14 and $24.99 per hour.

They Did It

  • Calvin Klein
  • Christopher Lowell
  • Martha Stewart

MUSICIAN

In a Nutshell

If you like to sing, compose and play music, a job as a musician may be a good fit. Musicians can perform solo or in a group. They can perform on stage, in studios, on television and in movies. They spend a lot of time practicing and rehearsing.

Get Ahead

  • You need musical talent. Many musicians learn how to play an instrument when they are young.
  • Technical skills are handy for writing songs and music on the computer.
  • Skills in song writing or dancing are helpful.
  • Join a school band or choir or participate in a school musical.
  • Sing or play music with friends, in a band. Perform at parties and events.

Earning Power (2008)

  • Nationally, the middle half of musicians and singers earned between $10.80 and $35.70 per hour. The middle half of music directors and composers earned between $12.99 and $28.94 per hour.
  • In Texas, the middle half of musicians and singers earned between $7.09 and $18.87 per hour. The middle half of music directors and composers earned between $11.23 and $24.48 per hour.

They Did It

  • Josh Groban
  • Taylor Swift
  • Charlotte Church
  • The Jonas Brothers

Based on material developed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.