How to start your career in visual arts
Discover the different types of roles available and the steps you need to take to be successful in this industry.
Sector overview
- Overview of the creative arts and design sector (Prospects)
- Guidance for Neurodivergent Creatives - Whether you’re just starting your journey, or are already carving out your own independent career path, this resource provides guidance and support on working in the creative industries for neurodivergent creatives
Typical job profiles
- Community arts worker
- Fine artist
- Game artist
- Graphic designer
- Illustrator
- Medical illustrator
- Photographer
- Press photographer
Useful resources
- a-n - provides news, advocacy, and information
- Arts Thread - global online portfolio space
- Creative Industries Council - UK creative industry overview, including labour market news
- Creativepool - recruitment and career advice
- Creative Scotland - national leader for Scotland's arts, screen, and creative industries
- Design Directory
- Fifteen Design - graphic design career progression infographic
- Wallpaperdirect - So, you want to be a designer?
Job sites and specialist recruiters
- Artconnect - social network for creative businesses
- Arts Culture Media Jobs
- Artsjobster
- Arts Professional
- Artquest
- Bubblejobs- tech & digital sector jobs
- Resartis - a worldwide network of artist residencies
Professional bodies
- Art Workers Guild
- Association of Illustrators (AOI)
- British Interactive Media Association (BIMA)
- British Institute of Professional Photography (BIPP)
- Institute of Conservation (ICON)
- Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA)
- Institute of International Visual Arts (INIVA)
- Institute of Medical Illustrators (IMI)
- International Animated Film Association (ASIFA)
- Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers
- Royal Photographic Society (RPS)