Are you passionate about teaching the next generation of artists and designers in a K-12 classroom setting? If so, there are a few required steps you need to take in order to get there. From understanding educational requirements to developing the skills to get hired, our beginner’s guide teaches you everything you need to know about how to become an art teacher.
Understanding the Role of an Art Teacher
As an art teacher, you’ll instruct students at the K-12 level and help guide and nurture their artistic abilities. “There’s a misconception that becoming an art teacher is a walk in the park, however, that’s not the case,” Theresa Clowes, associate professor at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD), explains. “I’ve taught for 25 years and it’s clear to me that the most successful art teachers are passionate about supporting our youth.”
There’s much more to being an art teacher than meets the eye. In addition to supporting our youth, an art teacher acts as both a mentor and guide for students. It’s an art teacher’s job to teach the fundamentals of art and design to students, giving them a solid foundation to build upon for their creative future.
Responsibilities and Duties
Responsibilities can vary depending on the state, school district, and grade level: however, here are a few of the typical responsibilities and duties you can expect to perform as an art teacher:
- Lesson Planning
- Facilitate Discussions
- Lectures
- Student Evaluations
- Material Organization
- Demonstrations/Workshops
Becoming well-rounded in your responsibilities can be a great pathway to success as an art teacher. We recommend that you keep in touch with your mentor(s) you meet throughout your postsecondary education to ask questions or seek advice as you enter the field.
Skills and Qualities of a Successful Art Teacher
The Art Education Department at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD) graduates industry-leading art teachers across the United States each year. When asked about the typical skills and qualities successful art teachers exhibit, here’s what instructors in the department had to say:
- Successful art teachers have a passion for art and design
- Successful art teachers have a longing to teach the next generation of artists
- Successful art teachers are dedicated to their craft and are always looking to improve
- Successful art teachers enjoy seeing their students grow and learn
Looking for more insight into the skills and qualifications needed to be an art teacher? Check out RMCAD’s 2022 valedictorian Jasmin Kuykendall as she paints a picture of what it’s like being an art teacher.
Educational Pathways to Becoming an Art Teacher
Becoming an art teacher requires several educational steps before you can start applying to K-12 public schools. From degrees to certificates, explore what’s needed below.
Pursuing an Art Education Degree
Pursuing a degree in art education is the first step you must take to be on your way to becoming an art teacher. You must graduate with a bachelor’s from an art education program that is accredited to lead to licensure in Colorado. At RMCAD, art education students are required to earn these extracurricular hours by participating in classroom observation and student teaching at a local school throughout their education.
The RMCAD Art Education teacher preparation program is approved by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) and the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE). RMCAD graduates in Art Education are prepared to apply for a K-12 teaching license in Art with the Colorado Department of Education.
Art Teacher Certification and Qualifications
Art teacher qualifications are essential in order to keep the standards high throughout the profession. In Colorado, graduates must acquire a K-12 teaching license in Art before they can begin applying to teach at a public school. It is important to research what the requirements are in your state, as they vary.
Requirements for Art Teacher Certification in Colorado
To take the Colorado Teaching License, you must:
- Earn a bachelor’s in art education from a regionally accredited college or university
- Pass state exams
- Apply for licensure
Did you know? RMCAD’s art education department is accredited by the CDE and CDHE to provide teacher licensure. RMCAD is one of the only online licensure education programs for a Colorado art teacher license.
Necessary Qualifications and Experience
At RMCAD, the art education department requires 200 hours of classroom observation during freshman and sophomore year and 600 hours of student teaching during junior and senior year. This needs to be done in a classroom with a Licensed Art Teacher and successfully satisfies the student mentoring requirement from the Colorado Department of Education.
Navigating Art Education Programs
Finding an art education program that is licensed and approved by your educational state body is essential in putting your best foot forward to become a licensed teacher. Let’s explore the difference between our online and in-person program.
Online and In-Person Program Options
While many art education programs are offered in-person, there are few that offer art teacher degrees online. As a leader in online learning, RMCAD offers the convenience of earning your art education degree online for Colorado licensure. If students are not based in Colorado, they are required to explore the requirements to transfer a Colorado licensure to their state.
Art Educator Salary and Job Outlook
It’s important to understand how much you might earn from an art educator salary as well as future job outlook for the profession, so let’s dive into the details:
Understanding Art Educator Salaries
The average art teacher salary in Colorado is $60,993 as of June 2024. Compensation can vary depending on several factors such as:
- Years of experience
- Public or private school
- Location
Job Outlook and Career Growth
The projected art teacher job growth rate is 4% from 2018-2028, according to Zippia. That’s equivalent to 60,200 new jobs available for art teachers projected over the next decade.
Preparing for a Career as an Art Teacher
Throughout your education, you will learn the ins and outs of what it takes to become an art teacher. From experience-building to networking with professionals, let’s look at some of the essential skills you’ll need to prepare for art teaching jobs.
Building Experience and Skills
Through student teaching and classroom observation, art education students can acquire the necessary experience to learn how to teach in an art classroom. In addition to observation hours and student teaching, a solid school curriculum is essential to your growth as a young professional. At RMCAD, art education students are tasked with researching which districts they’d like to work in and learn policies, requirements, and differences between them to prepare for the professional world.
Networking and Professional Development
In Colorado, art teachers must renew their license every five years. According to the Colorado Department of Education, “Completion of 90 contact hours (six (6) semester hours) of applicable professional development activities” is required to renew a Professional Teacher License.
Tips for Success as an Art Teacher
There are many tactics you can use to increase your chances of success as an art teacher. Take a look at two of our favorites below.
Creating an Engaging Classroom Environment
Creating an engaging classroom environment is a wonderful way to make art exciting and fun for students in your classroom. Whether you facilitate unique discussions about art history or provide meaningful projects for your students to participate in, putting in the effort is a surefire way to stay consistent and shoot for success.
Continuous Improvement and Lifelong Learning
Many students that become art teachers are lifelong learners and continuously improve their craft. “Just as your art students learn new things from you, you can learn just as much from them,” Assistant Professor Clowes explains.
Ready to Become an Art Teacher?
We hope you found this guide helpful and can’t wait to see the great things you’ll accomplish through art education. So, are you ready to share your love for art with the next generation? Learn more about art teacher requirements through our on-campus or online programs today.