Artists create tangible works, aesthetic presentations, and diverse performances. They use a variety of means to creatively convey a range of messages. The means may include images, word, sounds, movements, or forms. As creators, artists have the luxury of being able to create new ways of working, developing a career, and making a living. Some find it daunting to navigate nontraditional career paths; others find it refreshing. Many people working in the arts are supporting the preparation and presentation of artwork by others.

General Resources for the Arts (for all or overlapping industries within the arts)

ArtJob - Subscription-based national job postings (performing/visual arts, museums, administration, etc.) of the Western States Arts Federation in Denver
artSource - An open source index of arts-related employment as well as information about internships, grants, competitions, resources, and more
New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) - Comprehensive New York-based site with many resources and job/internship postings
ArtSearchUS - New site including art jobs
Columbia University’s Artist Resource Center - List of funding opportunities and career resources posted by Columbia’s School of the Arts
CU Arts Initiative - Website of the Arts Initiative at Columbia University
Americans for the Arts - National nonprofit organization for advancing the arts through partnerships with arts organizations, government agencies, business leaders, and educators
idealist - Resource-rich website of all things in the nonprofit sector, including the arts
Arts Opportunities - Wide range of opportunities posted by Carnegie Mellon’s Center for Arts Management and Technology
Website for the Arts - List of professional associations posted by University of South Carolina
Occupational Outlook Handbook - Statistics about artists from the Bureau of LaborO*Net—Detailed descriptions of all industries, including art
National Endowment for the Arts - Public agency supporting the arts

Architecture

e-architect - Website for architects including job postings, salary information, and industry news

Arts Education

Career Alternatives for Art Historians - Career advice for artists and academics posted by Notre Dame

Arts Management

Association of Arts Administration Educators - Professional association for university programs in arts administration; hosts annual conferences
League of American Orchestras - Career center, including postings

Culinary Arts

Culinary Careers - Career information from culinary schools
International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association - Resources for professionals in the food, wine, and travel industries

Design

AIGA - Professional association for design
Communication Arts - Inspiration for designers, illustrators, photographers
Coroflot - Postings for designers in all fields
IDInterns - Design internships and entry-level job postings

Fashion

Fashion Group International - News, events, and job postings for members
Fashion Schools - Industry and career information

Fine Arts and Visual Arts

Artists Register - Connects artists with collectors, galleries, art enthusiasts and lists events and opportunities
National Association of Independent Artists - Wealth of online resources

Galleries

One Art World  - Includes lists of galleries

Literary Arts

Association of American Publishers - Trade association for the book publishing industry
Association of Writers and Writing Programs - Fosters literary talent
Magazine Publishers of America - Industry association

Museums

Society of American Archivists - Overview of the archival profession

Performing Arts

The Performing Arts Alliance - National network of 4,000 members comprising the professional, nonprofit performing arts and presenting fields
ArtSearch - Subscription-based job postings for the performing arts on a comprehensive website of the Theatre Communications Group
Back Stage - Entertainment-industry’s casting calls, from Back Stage, an actor’s resource
City of New York: Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre, and Broadcasting - Job postings, mentoring, career panels, and more with a focus on production
Career Transition for Dancers - Resources for dancers, including career advice
Dance/USA - national service organization for professional dance

Other Fields in the Arts (Presentation, Recording, Business, etc.)

Entertainment Careers - Job and internship postings
American Music Therapy Association - Career information and some postings
Record Production—Information about the music recording industry
ASCAP - Career information about the music business and recording industry from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers
Art Libraries Society of North America - Includes career information