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Teacher - Art

Also known as Teacher - Creative Arts, Teacher - Visual Arts and Art Teacher.

Art teachers in secondary schools teach students the practical skills, theory and history of art. Students receive tuition in aspects such as painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture and ceramics.

Art teachers may specialise in one or more aspects of art in their tertiary studies (such as history and appreciation of art, ceramics, drawing, film and video, painting, pottery, printmaking, sculpture and visual communication), as well as studying the elements of design, graphics, product design and environmental studies.

TASKS

Art teachers in secondary schools may perform the following tasks:

undertake general teaching tasks (see the separate entry for Teacher - Secondary)
set up and maintain facilities such as photographic darkrooms, kilns for ceramic work, studios and storage areas
order and maintain art resources and materials within the budget allowance
demonstrate the use of art materials and tools such as oils, watercolours, palettes and palette knives, brushes, pens, pencils, dyes, clay, fabric, canvas and paper
inspire students and assist them to develop their creativity and self-expression through various art forms and media
arrange for exhibitions of student work in and out of school

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

artistic talent
enjoy creative work
enthusiastic, patient and tactful
good communication skills
a commitment to ongoing professional development
creativity
good organisational skills
enjoy teaching and working with young people
prepared to work outside of school hours

Good Outlook for this career!

Interest Area

SPECIALISATIONS

Private Art Teacher - instructs individual students in the practice, theory and history of art. They usually specialise in one aspect of art and teach from their own home or studio.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

To become an art teacher you usually need to complete a 4-year integrated course or double degree in which the subject area and teaching components are taught throughout (a Bachelor of Education with a major in creative, graphic or visual arts, for example). Alternatively, you can complete a degree with a major in creative, graphic or visual arts, followed by a postgraduate qualification in education such as a Graduate Diploma of Education.

To get into the degree courses you usually need to gain your HSC/ACT Year 12. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English, mathematics, visual arts and design are normally required. Applicants may also be required to submit a portfolio and attend an interview. A number of institutions in Australia offer relevant degrees. Institutions have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information as requirements may change.

Entry to postgraduate courses usually requires completion of an appropriate bachelor degree. A number of institutions in Australia offer postgraduate courses in education. They may be available by distance education. Contact Open Universities Australia or the institutions you are interested in for more information as requirements may change.

No formal qualifications are required to be a private art teacher, but they may be an advantage.

Additional Information

Before undertaking practical placements required by courses, students will need to obtain a Working with Children Check (NSW) or a Working with Vulnerable People Check (ACT). A National Police Certificate may also be required. Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.

Teaching in schools in NSW requires accreditation with the Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards (BOSTES). See www.nswteachers.nsw.edu.au for further information. Teaching in schools in the ACT requires registration with the ACT Teacher Quality Institute. See www.tqi.act.edu.au for further information.

Teachers are required by mandatory reporting laws to report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Art teachers in NSW and the ACT are employed in both government and non-government schools, generally at secondary level. Graduate employment prospects are better for those who are willing to work in non-metropolitan areas.