Arts, Entertainment, & Design
The Arts, Entertainment & Design Career Cluster is where music, fashion, movies, art, books, and other creative efforts are developed and delivered. The core purpose of work in this cluster is to influence how people see and understand the world around them, by informing, entertaining, or inspiring them.
What's included?
- Fashion & interiors
- Fine art
- Lighting & sound technology
- Media production & broadcasting
- Performing arts
Quick facts
Widespread impact
The arts contribute about $1.2 trillion to the U.S. economy, annually.
High-growth areas
Growth is strong in performing arts, film and video editing, web and digital design, streaming, and gaming.
Talent and skills
A blend of creative and technical skills supports the work of this cluster, gained through education or experience.
Gig work is common
Jobs can be short-term, freelance, or project-based leading to potential income instability between projects.
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Explore careers
Do you like to use your imagination, communicate ideas, and create art? A career in arts, entertainment, and design might be a good fit for you. Think about how many of the following statements apply to you.
Things I like to do:
- Write stories, poems, or scripts
- Perform in music, dance, or theater
- Create videos, photos, or animations
- Work on costumes, sets, or props
- Draw, paint, or create designs
Ways to describe me:
- I like creating and sharing my ideas
- I like performing or entertaining
- I enjoy making things look good
- I like sharing my ideas in ways that influence people
- I like using my imagination
Problems I want to solve:
- How can art tell powerful stories?
- How do we use creativity to connect people?
- How can technology and art work together?
- How do we share news in a way that is both honest and easy to understand?
- How can creativity help people understand big ideas?
Source: The National Career Clusters Framework Career Interest Survey from Advance CTE
Careers in this cluster are diverse, but share the opportunity to tell unique stories, inspire and entertain people, and influence broader culture. Variety, flexibility, and creativity are also hallmarks of work in this field.
Explore careers by their typical level of education below. When you click on a career title, you'll find a full occupation profile with average pay and other details, plus links to local training programs that can help you prepare.
High school diploma or less, plus some training or experience
Many arts careers require that you've developed and practiced your skills, and do not require degrees or credentials beyond that. Here are a few examples to explore.
Photographer
Actor
Dancer
Floral designer
Costume attendants
Short-term certificate or associate’s degree
You can earn a credential in anywhere from a few months to 2 years that can help you land a job in some arts and entertainment careers. Here are a few examples to explore:
Lighting technicians
Camera operators
Makeup artists, theatrical and performance
Sound engineering technicians
Bachelor's degree
Earning a four-year or graduate degree can help you enter some careers in arts and entertainment. Here are a few ideas:
Agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes
Audio and video technicians
Choreographers
Film and video editors
Producers and directors
Technical writers