Oakland Arts Jobs Overview
The potential for boundless creativity is the main reason people go into the arts. They become composers to create beautiful musical scores for theatrical productions; special effects artists and set decorators to build immersive environments and enchant movie-goers; fashion designers to transform fabrics into wondrously wearable garments; comic-book writers and graphic novelists to transport readers into imaginary realms; or visual stylists to ornament merchandise displays in department stores. But all throughout—they pursue arts jobs to unabashedly realize their creative dreams.
Are you a star-gazing idealist or someone who relentlessly scours their mind's eye to materialize their vision? Do you believe that creative goals are achievable through talent and hard work? Then you may want to consider a career in the arts, which encompasses a vast mixture of roles—from art directors and art therapists to writers, dance instructors, and gallerists. Tech savviness will give you an advantage if you want to work in film, television, digital media, and video games, but arts jobs are still available across more traditional industries, including print publishing, manufacturing, and good ol' brick-and-mortar shops.
You can expand your search for art jobs by checking out these similar positions:
About Working in Oakland, California
If you're considering applying for Oakland jobs, three things you might hear about when you move here are sea monsters, gnomes, and secret staircases. The Oak-ness Monster in Lake Merritt, the only natural saltwater lake located in a city, has remained elusive since its first spotting in the 1940s. Oakland's gnomes are a little easier to find. An anonymous resident has painted and hidden thousands of gnomes all over the city since 2012. While you're looking for a gnome, you might stumble across a secret staircase. Hundreds of shortcut staircases were built a century ago to help streetcar and bus passengers commute from their Oakland jobs to their neighborhoods without having to walk along the city's winding roads.
If you're not in the mood for a scavenger hunt, you can spend a day exploring the banks of Lake Merritt, which includes miles of walking paths, greenspace, and a wildlife refuge. Or you could spend one of Oakland's 260 sunny days a year hiking in Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park just outside downtown Oakland. Ready to explore the Oakland area? You can also try expanding your job search to the suburbs of San Leandro, Alameda, and Berkeley.
Update Your Oakland Arts Resume
Arts jobs allow for plenty of opportunities to be creative—and that can be reflected on your resume too. So don't be afraid to add stylistic elements that pop—along with some off-kilter typography—to stand out from the crowd. Make sure your descriptions are vivid enough to paint a moving picture with purposeful, declarative sentences. Set aside a section that clearly delineates all the skills, tools, and practical knowledge that may be useful in the position you're applying to. And compile a portfolio that provides a vibrant snapshot of your creations so far.
How Much Do Arts Jobs Pay in Oakland, California?
Got money on your mind? You should! Make sure you’re getting paid what you’re worth. Our Salary Tools can help you understand what you can expect to make in arts jobs in Oakland, California, as well as the skills that can boost your value and what the next steps in your career might be. Right now, the median artist/ illustrator pay in Oakland is $23.93 per hour, which is 15% higher than the national average.
Find Your Next Oakland Arts Job. Monster Can Help Get You Started
Are you prepared for a career in arts? If so, set up your profile on Monster for free and begin clicking on those arts jobs. When you sign up with us, you’ll receive custom job alerts and expert advice on how to negotiate your salary in Oakland, how to nail your job interview, and more.