February 11, 2008

What This Job Pays: art director

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Pay: The median pay of an art director in the Seattle area is $105,908, with most making from $84,429 to $125,863, according to salary.com.

Demand: Despite an expanding number of opportunities, art directors should experience keen competition for the available openings. Only the most successful craft and fine artists receive major commissions for their work. Competition among artists for the privilege of being shown in galleries is expected to remain acute, as will competition for grants from sponsors such as private foundations, state and local arts councils and the National Endowment for the Arts. The growth in computer-graphics packages and stock art Web sites is making it easier for writers, publishers and art directors to create their own illustrations.

Need to know: Many colleges and universities offer programs leading to a bachelor's or master's degree in fine arts. In 2007 the National Association of Schools of Art and Design accredited 282 postsecondary institutions with programs in art and design; most of these schools award a degree in art. Art directors usually begin as entry-level artists in advertising, publishing, design and motion-picture production firms. Artists are promoted to art director after demonstrating artistic and leadership abilities. Some art schools offer course work in art direction as part of their curricula. Depending on the scope of their responsibilities, some art directors also may pursue a degree in art administration, which teaches nonartistic skills such as project management and finance. An advanced degree in fine arts or arts administration is usually necessary for management or administrative positions in government or in foundations or for teaching in colleges and universities.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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