How to become An Art Teacher

• Art Instructor

What do Art Teachers do?

An Art Teacher would typically need to:

• Provide art instruction to elementary | middle | high school students in order to create an interest in the subject amongst the pupils
• Assist the pupils to express themselves through the medium of art, using skills and techniques of artistic expression consistent with school guidelines
• Design and provide developmentally-appropriate instruction on art techniques and art history to meet the needs and interests of the students
• Establish and communicate clear learning objectives
• Deliver lectures to students on arts and its many forms and traditions
• Develop aesthetic understanding and appreciation among the students
• Demonstrate and assist students to use different techniques and media to develop art works aligned to their artistic abilities
• Encourage creativity and self-expression among the students
• Foster an atmosphere conducive to the intellectual, social and emotional development of pupils
• Supervise lessons to ensure that learners interact in a supportive and respectful manner
• Maintain files art records, artworks and art portfolios of students
• Assess, evaluate and grade students’ performance in the subject
• Provide art supplies and materials to students
• Instruct students in proper care and use of tools and equipment
• Maintain and manage inventory control of art supplies and materials
• Be attentive and responsive to themes in the students’ art that suggest distress in their personal lives
• Provide feedback to relevant stakeholders about each student's progress
• Plan and present art contests, displays and exhibitions
• Participate in developmental programs such as an after school art club
• Organise field trips to museums and art galleries

A typical art classroom can vary from school to school, but in middle and high schools, the art room usually contains large tables, easels, cabinets for storage, and at least one sink for clean-up. Elementary classrooms may contain large tables or art can be taught in the regular classroom. While standards exist for the art curriculum, it is considered an elective. This means that the actual topics covered and curriculum chosen is a bit varied from school to school and teacher to teacher. Some school districts have an art teacher that travels between schools to teach skills to numerous classes. Where there is no strict dress code to follow, art teachers can use their clothes and their sense of style to communicate and connect with their students, without stepping beyond the boundaries of professionalism.

Art teachers have a regular work schedule on most days and a 9-5 job with school holidays and breaks thrown in. You may be asked to come in during the breaks for teacher training programs or conduct summer camps. You may need to be available to work during evenings, on occasion.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Art Teachers can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.

Art Teachers are generally employed by:

• Public Schools
• Private Schools
• Charter Schools

Professional associations and organizations are a key resource for those interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more looks great on your Resume to bolster your credentials and qualifications.

• Negative perceptions of the course by students and parents
• Inadequate teaching facilities due to lack of funding
• Scheduling difficulties
• Lack of family support

Start building up a portfolio of work while you are an undergraduate. This should contain examples of your own ideas rather than just coursework. Enter as many competitions and exhibitions as possible and begin to get your work known.

Prior relevant work experience of at least 2 years is preferred. Voluntary work with community art initiatives, for example, can be valuable. You may find paid art-related employment while studying, through projects at summer camps and activity centres for young people.

Art teachers at public and private schools serving students from kindergarten through grade 12 usually have a bachelor's degree in art with an emphasis in education. A specialization in fine arts | visual arts | studio arts is beneficial. An accredited college or university should offer a dual program in which you gain a Bachelor's Degree and teaching certification. Art teachers who serve in a college or university setting typically hold a graduate degree of some type, usually a Master of Fine Arts.

Professional artists may be able to substitute extensive experience for a degree, but still may be required to complete some education training that may include classes such as child psychology, teaching methods, classroom management, and the foundations of education. The programmes need to be accredited by proper authorities in order to be valid.

Art teachers who instruct in a community setting may not need to have any formal education in the field and are required instead to demonstrate their understanding of various art mediums, their own talent to create, and their ability to teach skills to others.

Certification or a license from the Department of Education appropriate for grade level and subject area will be required to teach at public schools. Just as with other fields of education, art majors must pass basic proficiency exams in reading, writing, and mathematics early on in the program. As the program ends, the future art teacher will have to pass art specific pedagogy tests. Some programs may also require passing grade level generalized tests for teaching at some or all grade levels. Scores for such tests will vary by location.

You can diversify by taking courses in art-related disciplines and become a fine artist or a 'portfolio' worker. You can also apply for mainstream graduate jobs and training in a range of industries, such as banking, insurance, media and public relations.

If you have an extensive understanding of the various forms of art, enjoy imparting your knowledge, and are eager to encourage creativity and expression amongst youngsters, a job as an Art Teacher might be ideal for you.

An Art Teacher may choose to specialize in the instruction of a particular age group and specific art mediums such as paint, pencil, charcoal, pastels, and photography.

You can maintain professional competence through in-service education activities provided by the school and in self-selected professional growth activities. Employers value the transferable skills you acquire. Areas of achievement may include successful development and expansion of the curriculum into a creative, multidimensional, and multicultural program.

In-depth knowledge of drawing, painting, photography, ceramics, printmaking, 2D & 3D design, and computer graphics is just as essential. You will need to demonstrate a strong commitment to providing growth and learning opportunities for students through after-school art enrichment programs or extracurricular art workshops to explore innovative mediums.

Art Teachers work in primary and secondary schools, where they provide instruction on any topic related to art, ranging from mixing primary colors to art history. Although Art Teachers can usually teach grades K-12, they are more commonly found teaching middle and high school students.

Why They Choose to Teach Art

As with any teaching job, the rewards associated with being an Art Teacher are predominantly based on the students. An Art Teacher has the opportunity to teach skills that offer students an outlet or an alternative for negative behavior.

At Different Grade Levels

Elementary school Art Teachers are responsible for many students' first experience with creating and analyzing visual arts. An elementary teacher may begin by teaching how to mix colors or to draw shapes.

At the middle school level, art is often an elective. A middle school teacher may experiment with different mediums such as watercolors, pastels, or chalk. Some students will choose the elective, while others will be placed in the class because others are full.

High school art students will likely have chosen to take an art class, so they will mostly be interested in art and know more than just the basics. Secondary school Art Teachers are responsible for refining students' earlier artistic experiences by deepening their knowledge of various artistic processes and media and helping them relate more fully to self-expression, emotions, and concepts from the wider world. High school students may take art a bit further with large-scale projects or new techniques to create art.

In a Private School

Art Teachers in a private school will have students who pay to attend classes. These classes may have a stricter curriculum and have the required topics to cover. Private schools may also have a religious or group affiliation that affects the type of teaching that can take place.

In a Charter or Magnet School

Art Teachers who choose a charter or magnet school may find success as some programs focus on the arts. The students will be well versed in the arts and need a diverse curriculum. Charter schools offer free schooling, but because they are not state-funded, the school controls the curriculum.

Research from the University of Western Australia suggests that exposure to the arts for just two hours every week can improve mental health and overall well-being.

Accomplished Art Teachers bring out the inner artists of students to help build their skills and self-confidence. Teaching is a shared experience where personal vision and interaction with others through art can be realized in a revitalizing manner.

Creativity takes courage. Don't let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your inner voice.