About Art Jobs in State College, PA
State College 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 State College, Pennsylvania
Home to Penn State’s main campus in central Pennsylvania, State College is inevitably defined by the hulking influence of university life. Beaver Stadium hosts the Nittany Lions football team, a major local attraction with several Big Ten Conference championship wins. Meanwhile, the sizeable Palmer Museum of Art features a permanent collection of over 10,000 objects—extending across many centuries and cultures—in addition to rotating exhibits. Densely populated (with the greater environs nicknamed Happy Valley), State College is full of quality-of-life assets, from loads of parks and walking trails to multiple libraries, good schools, friendly residents, cultural activities, and a bustling downtown district.
As for State College jobs, academia reigns supreme here, with work widely available in the education field. Other important sectors include food services, retail, construction, and government. Housing and the overall cost of living tend to be on the higher end, but well-paying jobs with upward mobility, low crime rates, and utilities and transportation expenses that are cheaper than the national average make up for this. If you need more options, take a look at Altoona and Harrisburg nearby, as well as Pittsburgh further west.
Update Your State College 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 State College, Pennsylvania?
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 State College, Pennsylvania, 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 State College is $17.73 per hour, which is 15% lower than the national average.
Find Your Next State College 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 State College, how to nail your job interview, and more.