Art Careers

Goshen College Alumni

Here is a sampling of current positions held by GC art alumni:

Architect
Art Director
Arts Council Director
Bookbinder, Framer, Retailer
Caricaturist
Ceramist
Costumer
Elementary Visual Art Teacher
Foundry Technician/ Pattern Maker
Graphic Designer
Jeweler
Painter
Photographer
Printing Sales Representative
Production Manager
Professor of Art
Publications Coordinator
Web Designer

Overview

The definition of art is constantly expanding. The field of visual arts contains many different subfields, including graphic design, sculpture, painting, photojournalism, architecture, and art administration among others.

Today information is increasingly communicated with images through print media, over the Internet, hanging on walls, or sitting on pedestals. Artists shape the way we understand our world. Having strong, capable artists at work is a vital need for business, for the church and for our communities. The Goshen College art department’s mission is to help equip you to fill those roles.

About the Coursework

At GC you will receive the individualized attention you need from professors to develop your skills and ideas. You will learn from faculty who produce, exhibit and sell their artwork. You will develop your own ability to communicate effectively in the media that suits you best.

The art department has concentrations in several different areas: graphic design, art entrepreneurship, studio art, visual arts education (K-12), pre-architecture, art administration and pre-architecture.

Possible courses for art majors include:

Design
Aesthetics
Senior Exhibit
Jewelry
History of Art
Introduction to Entrepreneurship
Photo Communication
Arts in London

For a full list of courses and requirement, see the course catalog.

Teacher certification is available in visual arts. See the education department’s web page for more information.

Possible Career Paths

The possible career choices are broad for every major. Art graduates are currently working as elementary and secondary school art teachers, architects, graphic designers, designers in industry and business, art therapists, free-lance artists, college teachers, fashion designers, interior designers, museum curators, photojournalists and production crafts persons and fine artists.

The list below will provide you with several career options, but it is not exhaustive. Please note that some positions require additional education.

Animator
Art Agent
Art Instructor
Audio-Visual Specialist
Billboard Artist
Book Designer
CD/Record Cover Designer
Children’s Book Illustrator
Comic Strip Artist
Consultant
Corporate Designer
Curator
Custom Decorator
Elementary Art Teacher
Exhibit Designer
Flatware Designer
Graphic Designer
Greeting Card Artist
Illustrator
Interior Designer
Magazine Designer
Medical Illustrator
Package Designer
Photographer
Printing Crafts Worker
Printing Store Manager/Owner
Production Artist
Professor of Art/Art History
Studio Artist
Technical Illustrator
Textile Designer
Visual Merchandiser

Additional Resources

From the Occupational Outlook Handbook:

Graphic Design: A Career Guide
from the American Institute of Graphic Arts

About Art Therapy
from the American Art Therapy Association, Inc