CAREER PATHWAYS: Arts, Audio/Visual technology and Communications

Careers in Arts, Audio/Visual Technology and Communications require courses and activities that challenge students' creative talents. Download the Arts, Audio/Visual Technology and Communications pathway map.

This career cluster is divided into three pathways:

• Visual Arts
• Performing Arts
• Journalism and Broadcasting

Visual Arts

Visual artists create art to communicate ideas, thoughts or feelings. They use a variety of methods—painting, sculpting, illustrating—and an assortment of materials, including oils, watercolors, acrylics, pastels, pencils, pen and ink, photography, plaster, clay and computers. Their works may be realistic, stylized or abstract and may depict objects, people, nature or events.

Visual artists are generally categorized in two groups. Fine artists create art to satisfy their own need for self-expression. Illustrators and graphic designers, on the other hand, put their artistic skills at the service of commercial clients, such as major corporations and retail stores, as well as advertising, design and publishing firms.

Sample occupations include:

• Painters and Sculptors
• Illustrators and Animators
• Graphics Designers and Computer Artists
• Commercial Photographer
• Art Director
• Art Teachers and College Professors
• Gallery Owners and Curators
• Textile Designer
• Interior Designer
• Set Designer

Performing Arts

A variety of businesses and groups involved in theatrical and musical performances are included in this pathway. Theatrical production companies, for example, coordinate all aspects of producing a play or theater event. Agents represent actors and assist them in finding jobs. Costume design management companies design costumes. Lighting and stage crews handle the technical aspects of productions.

Also in this segment are dance studies, schools and halls, which provide places for professional and amateur dancers to practice, perform and learn. Performers of live musical entertainment include musical artists, dance bands, orchestras, jazz musicians and various modern bands. Orchestras range from major professional orchestras with million-dollar budgets to community orchestras often with part-time schedules.

Sample occupations include:

• Actor/Actress
• Lighting and Set Designers
• Stage Crew
• Instrumentalist
• Singers and Musicians
• Conductor
• Voice and Dance Instructors
• Playwrights and Scriptwriters

Journalism and Broadcasting

News analysts, reporters and correspondents gather information, prepare stories and make broadcasts that inform us about local, state, national and international events; present points of view on current issues; and report on the actions of public officials, corporate executives, special interest groups and others who exercise power.

Broadcast and sound technicians install, test, repair, set up and operate the electronic equipment used to record and transmit radio and television programs, cable programs and motion pictures. Chief engineers, broadcast field supervisors and transmission engineers supervise the technicians who operate and maintain broadcasting equipment.

Sample occupations include:

• Chief Engineer
• Transmission Engineer
• Broadcast Field Supervisor
• Broadcast and Sound Technician
• Camera Operator
• News Analyst
• Reporter
• Correspondent