Duties and tasks of an Artist

What's it like to be an Artist?

Artists conceive and create visual representations to investigate, respond to or communicate a concept or idea.

Artists may concentrate on a specific area of work or may use a combination of these techniques. They generally work in studios and may share the space with other artists.

Is this occupation in demand?

Australian JobOutlook for Artist

How much can I expect to earn?

Earnings data based on the Employee Earnings, Benefits and Trade Union Membership survey by the Australian Bureau of Statistics is either unavailable or unpublishable (typically for privacy reasons).

Personal requirements

• artistic ability
• good hand-eye coordination
• creativity and the ability to conceptualise ideas
• self-discipline
• promotional skills
• knowledge of business/management skills, if self-employed.

This job also involves:

Full use of hands/fingers

Use of precision or semi-precision tools or instruments or deft hand movements are required for these occupations. Included are jobs where poor co-ordination or incomplete use of hands or fingers may make tasks dangerous or difficult to undertake.

Good vision for detail

These jobs require you to be able to see clearly to examine items close-up. It covers jobs where poor vision e.g. tunnel vision, could make the work place unsafe or the job difficult to undertake, e.g. draftsperson working with detailed drawings; checkout operator reading dockets; work requiring good hand-eye co-ordination for working with precision or semi-precision tools.

This occupation offers jobs at the following skill levels:

Skilled Non-trade Jobs

These jobs do not usually require completion of secondary education, however further part-time study such as a Certificate III or IV, and on-the-job training, may be required.

Para Professional Jobs

Jobs in this group usually require completion of secondary education and/or completion of some further study of a vocational nature, such as a Diploma or an Advanced Diploma.

Professional Jobs

Jobs in this group usually require completion of a recognised Bachelor Degree, or extensive relevant experience. Some jobs also require post-graduate study, such as a Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or Master Degree.

Study requirements

At school, you can study these subject(s) to get a good foundation for this occupation:

Art

School subjects that include some aspect of ART provide a useful background to these jobs. In some cases an art-related subject is a pre-requisite for entry to courses that provide the training for the job.

Duties and tasks of an Artist

An artist may be concerned with the production of two-dimensional or three-dimensional forms, employing a number of methods such as painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture and ceramics to realise their ideas. They may also use techniques and methods such as film, digital technology and performance.

Specialisations

Sculptor/Installation Artist

A sculptor/installation artist conceives and develops a concept or design for a sculpture or installation project. Practitioners sketch designs and then decide on the material, techniques and the space where the sculpture or installation is to be exhibited. They make models using wax or plaster and then carve, model or assemble materials to the desired form using hand or power tools. They may also fire clay objects in kilns and prepare moulds for casting sculptures in metal.

Painter (Fine/Visual Arts)

A painter (fine/visual arts) researches, sketches and develops ideas for paintings. Painters use mediums such as oil, watercolour, pencil, pastel, acrylic or ink and paint onto prepared surfaces such as canvas, paper or board. Painters mix or apply colours using appropriate techniques while taking into account the relationships of line, colour, design and form. Painters may run workshops and oversee community arts projects.

Printmaker

A printmaker etches designs onto metal plates or cuts designs into wood or linoleum to produce prints. They also prepare screens for screen-printing and execute lithographic prints. Printmakers prepare ink and printmaking surfaces and transfer images to print material by using a press or other printing method.

Performance/Live Art Artist

A performance/live art artist uses their body as the site and material of their art practice. Performance and live art artists may explore ideas of process and experience as well as the production of objects. The performance may be scripted or unscripted and can include audience participation.

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 1039