About Sculptors' Careers
Although there are more lucrative job opportunities in the fields such as computer technology and mathematics, there are still careers available for sculptors. Many sculptors earn either a Bachelor's degree in art or a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, while some go on to obtain Master's degrees. Careers for sculptors have a wide range, including sculpture artists, fabricator and mold or model makers. According to the website "Simply Hired," the average salary for a sculptor is about $42,000 a year, so often sculptors need other jobs to support themselves.
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Identification
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Sculptors are artists who mold and join materials including fabric, clay, plastic, glass, wire or metal to create three-dimensional art. Sculptors also carve and cut images from blocks of plaster, wood or stone. Besides carving, sculptors may use welding or mold materials by hand using sculpting tools or caste and fire clay. Their finished products may range from realistic to stylized or abstract, depicting people, nature or events. Because they typically work with hard materials such as marble, bronze and stone, their work is generally durable and permanent.
Fine Arts and Design
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The job market for sculptors features two types of knowledge requirements, which include fine arts and design. Fine art knowledge pertains to theories and techniques needed for composing, producing and performing works of sculptor. On the other hand, design involves knowledge of design methods, including tools and principles needed for producing blueprints, precision technical plans, models and drawings.
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Types of Careers
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Sculptors can make money exhibiting their work either in studios or in art festivals. They can choose a career as a gallery owner or director. Managing galleries, museums, foundries and institutions are career options. Some are art critics or writers. Other sculptors have jobs as welders or foundry workers. They can also be art association directors or assistants. Art supply consulting and sale representative jobs are other career options as well as teaching sculpture on a high school, college or continuing education level.
Freelancing
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Many sculptors work for themselves, making their living as freelance artists. This involves finding clients. Sculptures may work for firms or commercial art studios in lofts, offices or warehouses. Often sculptors who work on a freelance basis use home studios or go to the area where their work can't be moved such as in sculpting a fountain.
Best Areas for Careers
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According to a "mypursuit.com" article, some cities are better than others for finding jobs in sculpting. The demand for fine art is usually higher in large urban communities. Most of the leading cities that are best for sculpting careers are in California, including Palm Desert, Los Angeles, Saratoga and Obispo. All these cities have about the same amount of sculpting jobs and are based in the design field.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Erdogan Ergun; Stockxpert Image
