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Fine artist apprenticeships

Creative and media

Fine artist apprenticeships - where to start

You can get into this job through

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • self-teaching


    • University

    You'll need a high level of skill and talent in your chosen art form. To develop these skills, you could train by doing a degree or postgraduate award in art and design, art history, fine art, visual arts or graphic arts.


    You'll usually need: 

    • a foundation diploma in art and design 
    • 2 to 3 A-Levels, or equivalent, for a degree 
    • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study 
    College

    You can do a Level 4 Higher National Certificate or Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Art and Design or Art Practice.You'll usually need 1 or 2 A-Levels, or equivalent.

    Volunteering

    Volunteering with community arts projects can open up possibilities and extend your network of contacts, which could be useful for finding work. 

    Other Routes
    If you're exceptionally talented and have taught yourself, you may be able sell your work without formal training or qualifications. You'll need to be able to promote yourself in different ways, like:

    • having an online presence through your own website, blog or through social media, like Instagram 
    • joining together with other artists or 'collectives' 
    • organising your own shows in galleries or other venues 
    You could also: 

    • get an agent 
    • raise funds through crowdfunding websites
    • illustrate products like books or greetings cards
    • entering competitions or open exhibitions can also raise your profile as an artist

    Fine artist apprenticeships - what it takes

    Skills and knowledge

    You'll need: 

    • to be thorough and pay attention to detail 
    • design skills and knowledge 
    • knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
    • thinking and reasoning skills 
    • the ability to use your initiative 
    • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure 
    • to be flexible and open to change 
    • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations 
    • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

    Fine artist apprenticeships - what you'll do

    Day-to-day tasks

    Your day-to-day tasks will be: 

    • work from your own ideas, or a commission from an individual or an organisation
    • sell your work through an agent or through galleries, exhibitions, shops or online 
    • research subjects, materials and new artistic techniques 
    • network with agents, dealers, gallery owners and other artists 
    • attend exhibitions and join artists’ groups 
    You might also:

    • work as ‘artist in residence’ – running classes and workshops in places like schools, prisons or hospitals
    • teach art classes privately, in colleges or through community learning 
    • run local art projects
    Working environment
    You could work from home, in a creative studio or in a workshop.

    Career path and progression - Fine artist apprenticeships

    You could move into areas like art therapy or art conservation.

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    Considering an Apprenticeship?

    There are lots of benefits to apprenticeships, here are our top 5:

    • Paid Training
      Not only will your organisation (or the Government) pay for all of your training, but you’ll be paid to do it. That means you could actually get paid to get your degree and have no debt!
    • Range of career opportunities
      There are over 625 different apprenticeships to choose from, in a range of industries. Whether you’re interested in law, marketing, construction or engineering, you’ll find something up your street!
    • Earn & learn
      As an apprentice, the minimum you’ll earn is £6.20 an hour, but we’ve seen apprentices earn a starting salary of up to £30,000 a year! You could also get other employee benefits like gym memberships, paid holiday and sick pay.
    • Great career prospects
      Employers think apprentices are 15% more employable than those with other qualifications. In fact, many large employers train their graduates and apprentices together!
    • Learn on the job
      There’s only so much you can learn when you just do a qualification. As an apprentice, you’ll also get to learn on the job - whether that’s designing amazing graphics, chopping vegetables or building engines!

    Start searching for Apprenticeships Near You

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