Lets take a closer look into the life of an artist and discover exactly how much they earn from the amazing artwork they produce. As we all know, artist must stay abreast on new techniques, available technologies and use a wide variety of media. These tasks can be very time consuming, but is a must for anyone who s interested in making a true living out of art.
I went to school to be an artist. Growing up, many people told me things like "you'll never make money in art", "that's not a real career, why don't you pick something more stable". Even though I loved art and was very passionate about drawing, painting and sculpture, hearing things like this diminished my confidence daily.
I remember one day thinking, "hmm, they might actually be right. How am I going to make money from this?" So, I did a little research and here's what I found:
Artist market their work to buyers and art galleries and usually work on commissioned projects. Most of their pieces MUST service a purpose. Meaning it's not JUST for looks, but usually conveys some type of idea, message or mood. Most artist generally have college training, although its not a requirement for this line of work.
In a TIME Magazine article, Two hundred topflight artists were asked to confess privately on how much they earned from the sale of their paintings. The answer, an average of $1,154 in a year.
WOW! that's it? I couldn't believe it. This response made me move in a different direction. Digital Media was on the rise and I found a way to express my artistic and creative abilities through online marketing. When I started college, I decided to take a new path. The path to be a graphic designer.
If you've ever thought about having a career in art, here are the most highly paid positions:
How much does a graphic artist make a year?
Although the most successful visual artists made more than $90,050 per year, as of May 2011, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, average wages ran a mean annual $53,400, which was equivalent to $25.67 per hour. Annual compensation for the lowest-earning 10 percent was less than $19,150.
Credit: work.chron.com/much-money-visual-artists-make-year-10538.html
How much does a sculptor make a year?
In 2008, the Bureau of labor Statistics states that the average annual salary for fine artists, which includes professional sculptors, was around $42,650. On the low end of the pay scale, these artists earned around $20,000, and on the high end, they earned over $80,000.
Credit: www.theartcareerproject.com/shape-your-life-with-a-sculpting-career/363/
How much does an art professor make a year?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of postsecondary art, drama, and music teachers together earned an average salary of $70,850 in 2010. Those working at technical and trade schools, however, earned an average salary of $51,500 in that same year.
Credit: www.theartcareerproject.com/art-professo/1227/
There are some businesses/professions where the distribution of outcomes (e.g., salaries) falls on a bell curve--for instance, medicine, law, teachers, mechanics, etc. The best mechanic will not make that much more money than the worst one.
But, there are other industries/professions where it's "winner takes all", or virtually all. This is usually true in the creative professions, for example. The top one percent of artists, or musicians, earn a very large percentage of total sales.
The is, in part, due to technology. For instance, before radio, TV and records, every town of any size had opera singers and actors. Such singers/actors earned a decent living and were considered local celebrities despite that their talent was often average at best. But in today's age, nobody need pay to hear average singers or see average actors. We can turn on the radio, listen to a recording, or watch TV and see the very best of the best. And, consequently, the best of the best earn the vast majority of the money.
You are 100% correct. Your abilities to think outside the box as well as ability to apply techniques will push you towards the higher tier of those making the big bucks. I too believe technology plays a huge role in this. Great answer!
I am so sick of the stigma that artists don't make money! It's becoming less and less accurate, though, so for artists this is beneficial. The people making these claims have clearly never hired an artist, got a tattoo, or have been to a gallery.
Its not only in art. A lot of creative jobs are very poorly payed this days.
Yes, I think for the amount of pressure put on designers to brainstorm creative and get it done ASAP, the positions should be paid more. Art is usually a freedom of expression form and forcing that can cause the person to feel pressured. They may not perform as well as they could un-pressured.
That's true. I'm unsure how much tattoo artists make, but I do personally know a few well connected artist who make a ton of money from gallery opportunities as well as selling their art as prints online. So there is a remarkable amount of money out here to be made.
Just move to Denmark, and paint your mother. - You'd get 75k $ for that. Paid by the taxpayers of course...
And it's "cover your mother in pain", not "paint a picture of her". <.<
Love it! I didn't know Denmark had such a high appreciation for art.
IT's just minicipals wasting money, with most people angry about it.
The business is complicated but very wide and caters to many different industries.
Also depends if you are a business owner or just an employee.
I am a professional animator and graphics designer.