Art Teacher Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of an art teacher. Feel free to use our art teacher job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as an art teacher.
Who is an Art Teacher?
An art teacher is usually a teacher of visual arts. He can work at a school, college, or university with a museum or studio, or teach private lessons. An art instructor can cover six areas in any of these roles. These include how to create visual art using different media, the structures and functions involved with the art of various genres and purposes, the selection and evaluation of art’s content; the relationship between visual arts and historical events and cultures; how works of art can be assessed; and how the visual arts relate to other disciplines. These areas won’t be taught separately in many cases; instead, they will be interwoven and overlapped.
The art teacher helps students understand how different media are used. They also give students the chance to experience these media. Media could range from paint, clay, pastels, metal, wood, and dyes. Some of the techniques and processes include brush strokes, different approaches using a potter’s wheel, welding, carving, and batiking.
The art teacher assists students in understanding structures and functions when teaching this second area. The art teacher helps students to understand artistic and practical functions. These elements are discussed from different perspectives and students can evaluate their effectiveness and make informed decisions about the structure and function of their work.
The third area is where the instructor of art focuses on content. This includes subject matter and how symbols are used. The students learn to carefully consider the content of their artwork and make informed choices. Students also learn to identify the purpose, origins, and effectiveness of subjects, symbols, or ideas in art by others.
Art teachers help to place artworks within the context of history or culture. They can evaluate works of art with their cultural and historical provenance. They can also identify common elements within artworks of different origins.
The students are also guided by an art instructor to develop a set of standards for evaluating their artwork and that of others. The concepts of intent, meaning, and effectiveness are explored by students. They learn to understand the meanings and techniques of art and how they can interpret them.
The art teacher also makes connections between visual arts and other disciplines. They can recognize the principles that underlie many disciplines. Students learn to view art as a collection of ideas from different disciplines such as the sciences and humanities.
Art teachers must plan lessons and ensure that they have enough art supplies and tools to support all students. You may use pencils, paints, and dyes as well as paper, canvases, clay, and other materials. When teaching digital art forms, they may also use computers.
When teaching art, an art teacher will focus on the basics: how to create art with different mediums; what types of structures/functions are involved; how to choose and evaluate the content; the relationship between art and past cultures; the evaluation of works of art; and the relation between art and other disciplines. These subjects are often taught together, and will not be taught separately.
The duties of an art teacher vary depending on the students’ level. Middle school and elementary instruction are very basic, whereas high school art teachers can share more advanced projects with their students.
Art centers are usually designed for adults. This is a great alternative for teachers of art who prefer to not teach children and would rather focus their classes on specific school subjects.
Art teachers teach students about the tools and materials that are used in illustrative and craft-based sculptural art. Many schools also have art teachers who teach in other media, such as filmmaking or photography.
Many schools offer art electives to interested students. Art teachers assist students in developing their techniques and experimenting with new styles.
For those who love teaching and working with the arts, there are many other options.
- Art therapist
An art therapist uses artistic creation to educate individuals with mental disorders. They encourage patients to use art to express their emotions and channel their frustrations.
- Museum educator
These professionals are required to lead tours and educate visitors about natural history and art museums. Professional teachers may lead craft classes at children’s museums.
- School arts administrator
These administrators collaborate with other departments to secure funds, promote initiatives, and create a district-wide curriculum. These professionals advocate for art’s value in education and can have an impact on students’ access and programming.
Art Teacher Job Description
Below are the art teacher job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write an art teacher job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of an art teacher include the following:
- Planning lessons in art and art history according to students’ learning goals.
- Preparing the classroom by setting up and gathering equipment.
- Providing instruction on how to use graphite, charcoal pencils, oil, acrylic, and watercolor paint.
- Teaching art history to students.
- Assigning and grading exams and projects.
- Reporting on student progress.
- Participating in parent-teacher and faculty meetings.
- Purchasing art materials and keeping the inventory
- Preparing and organizing art materials and equipment for the classroom.
- Instructing students how to use different techniques for drawing, painting, or coloring.
- Encouraging students to explore different artistic traditions and approaches, and discuss them with others.
- Providing instruction on how to use pencils, charcoal, charcoal, and other art materials, such as watercolors, acrylic colors, oils colors, and pencils
- Giving students art projects to grade, and art exams are conducted. Keep track of their progress.
- Organizing art exhibitions for students to showcase their artworks and help them build their art portfolios.
- Participating in parent-teacher meetings, assisting the school administration with developing art programs, and attending faculty meetings.
Other important tasks include
- Curriculum development
Art teachers create curriculum that meets student needs and interests. Students younger than 12 years old may find it easier to use crayons for short-term projects, while those older than 12 years old may prefer to work with ceramics or paintings.
- Concept introduction
Art teachers use lessons or projects to introduce formal concepts like types of lines, color relationships, and symbols.
- Using different techniques for teaching
The teachers show techniques that will help students achieve better representations in image and form. These techniques could include shading, sketching, and brush strokes.
- Encouragement of enthusiasm and talent
These teachers encourage artistic expression and provide an emotional outlet. However, gifted students can also benefit from their guidance.
- Art history lessons for art teachers
Art history lessons are used to help artists understand the context of artistic styles and ideas.
- Giving critique
Teachers in higher-level art classes critique student work to identify strengths and areas for improvement.
- Grading and reporting
Art teachers set grading criteria and provide parents with progress reports that detail student achievements. They may also meet with parents throughout the school year.
Qualifications
A college degree is required for art teachers. These credentials can be obtained by future teachers through one of many degree programs. An essential component of teacher training in art is a solid background in fine arts. Art teachers often teach classes in painting, drawing, pottery, ceramics, and photographing. They must complete college-level coursework for each of these subjects. These areas of knowledge may be required for prospective art teachers to pass exams.
A bachelor’s degree in art is required to teach at the primary and secondary levels. Future teachers may complete a four-year degree in education, which focuses on classroom management and teaching methods. They also take several art classes as part of their education. You can also choose to complete a dual degree in education and fine art. Another option is to earn a bachelor’s in art and then go on to a post-graduate program in teacher training. Some established artists may be eligible to apply for an accelerated teaching program, while their art collections can be substituted for a four-year degree in art.
Teaching licenses are required by most school systems as an additional qualification for art teachers. Most new art teachers take their licensing exams in their last year of college. They usually only have one chance to pass this type of qualification test. A recent art graduate may need to take additional subject matter exams to be eligible for teaching positions. These exams are used to test a teacher’s knowledge of art history, fine arts techniques, and common vocabulary in art mediums.
A portfolio submission may be required along with a resume and curriculum vitae. Principals may want to assess the practical skills and experience of prospective teachers in art education. Art teacher training can also include unpaid student teaching with a qualified teacher. Because student teaching evaluations are often used to make hiring decisions for first teaching jobs, this is an important part of art teacher training. Art teachers are required to have a solid understanding of the subject and be able to manage a classroom efficiently.
Essential Skills
- Communication skills
Art teachers are often unable to mark the ability of students to grasp artistic concepts correctly or incorrectly, unlike in other subjects. Communicating artistic ideas requires an ability to communicate how colors, shapes, and emotions are combined to create something that people find meaningful. While art teachers must practice the traditional communication skills of presentation, feedback, and public speaking, they must also communicate abstract and emotional topics to children and teens.
- Craft skills
Art teachers learn to use different media to properly show techniques to their students. This requires practice and fine motor skills. Art teachers can help students start longer projects by sharing their knowledge on how to create ideas, sketches, and color palettes.
- Creative skills
Art teachers are responsible for creating the best projects and ideas that engage students. Teachers often have to create a wider range of lesson plans because they are required to teach a variety of grade levels. Art teachers must also be creative and resourceful with the materials they have at their disposal. Art teachers might create holiday decorations. Art teachers could help students create sets.
- Interpretive skills
The art of interpretation is something that can be learned through practice and formal training. Art teachers help students understand images and forms by leading discussions about them and providing feedback.
How to Become an Art Teacher
First, people who want to be art teachers should choose the path that interests them. Many programs lead to initial teacher licensure. It is important to check whether your state’s department has approved the teacher preparation program and whether it meets the requirements for licensure or certification as a teacher. This is the typical route to becoming an art teacher:
A bachelor’s degree is available in art education, which includes a state-approved teacher training program.
- Do a student teaching internship in the grade you want to teach.
- You must pass the required state tests for art teachers.
- Apply for your teaching certificate.
- Start applying for open positions as an art teacher.
Several states offer K-12 art certifications that could lead to teaching art at all levels. Potential art teachers might also choose to teach at a particular grade level such as middle or high school. Students in bachelor’s programs on any of these paths can expect to complete two years of science and liberal arts courses as well as art courses. Students will be enrolled in courses that teach the methods after being accepted to the university’s teacher preparation program. This usually happens in junior year. Graduates will be eligible for state teacher certification after passing the state exams and having completed observations and student teaching.
There are other routes to teacher certification for those who have an art degree but have not completed a teacher preparation program. A master’s degree with a teacher-preparation component is another popular route to teacher licensure.
Where to Work as an Art Teacher
Opportunities for art teachers are available in both public and private schools. Instruction usually begins with kindergartners. Schools may require assistance in running after-school programs and summer camps. You might also find other art teachers qualified to teach at the university or college level. Adults may seek instruction in art and will often pay for classes at a painting or ceramic studio. Art classes are also offered by retirement facilities, and they may need to be led by a professional.
Art Teacher Salary Scale
The average salary for an American art teacher is $47,360 annually. Pay can vary depending on where you live, your education, and your work experience.