How to Become a Professor of Art

Art professors teach college-level students beginning, intermediate and advanced art-making techniques. Such professors possess the expertise to train students to perfect their craft, so that they can pursue careers in the art field. Art professors are often practicing artists themselves, producing art for exhibit and sale while working as full- or part-time educators. You must complete the terminal degree -- generally the Master of Fine Arts -- to be considered for art professor positions at accredited colleges and universities.

Instructions

1. Earn a bachelor of fine arts degree. B.F.A. students must complete the college core curriculum, which could include, but is not limited to, English, math, science, psychology and foreign languages. Students must also take art history courses and traditional fine arts courses in drawing, painting and sculpture. You can also take graphic design, textile arts, filmmaking and any other fine arts courses offered by your college. B.F.A. students generally select a medium in which to specialize and produce a body of work to exhibit as a culminating exercise.

2. Apply to master of fine arts programs that offer your specialty area. Take the Graduate Record Exam, also known as the GRE, if required. Write a statement of intent that conveys your purpose for applying to graduate school and your career goals. You also need to take photographs of your work to create a digital portfolio, which you can submit online or on CD-ROM. Application fees vary.

3. Enroll in graduate-level fine arts courses. Most graduate fine arts courses don't follow the standard lecture followed by hands-on format. Instead, graduate students produce work independently in studio space provided by the university and participate in critiques with faculty and student peers. Graduate students generally display completed works in university building entrance halls and art galleries.

4. Apply for a teaching assistant position. Teaching assistant positions are highly competitive and some universities only offer the positions to advanced graduate students. Begin networking with your graduate adviser and faculty for a teaching assistant position during your first year in the M.F.A. program. Teaching undergraduate classes gives you job experience to put on your resume and could open doors to positions at the university you attend when you graduate.

5. Show your work to art gallery directors locally and nationally while you are still in graduate school. Including a long list of one-person shows, group shows and art sales on your resume could give you a competitive advantage when applying for art professor jobs. Start by showing your portfolio to well-respected gallery directors in your city and asking for shows. Ask for referrals to other galleries if a local gallery director is not interested in your work. You should also build a professional relationship with an respected art gallery director to gain exclusive representation.

6. Apply for art professor jobs during your final year of graduate school. Colleges take a long time to review applications and interview candidates, and you could end up unemployed if you wait until after graduation to look for a job. Talk to your professors to find out what they know about teaching positions opening area colleges. Attend visual arts conventions to network with fine arts academics at other universities. You can also find open professor of art jobs posted on higher education employment websites.

References

• National Art Education Association: National Convention
• "The David Enterprise"; MFA Student Artists Show Their Work at Nelson Gallery; May 2011
• College Art Association: Standards and Guidelines
• The University of Arizona: Graduate Hanbook
• The City College of New York: MFA Studio Art