Arts, A/V Technology, and Communication Workplaces and Task

Arts, A/V Technology, and Communication Workplaces and Task

What workplaces and tasks are common in Arts, A/V Technology, and Communication careers?

Lesson Goals

• Describe common workplaces in Arts, A/V Technology, and Communication careers.

• Describe common employers in Arts, A/V Technology, and Communication careers.

• Analyze tasks performed by workers in Arts, A/V Technology, and Communication careers.

Words To Know

• disassemble

• specification

• self-employed

Open Ended

Below are some tasks performed in Arts, A/V Technology, and Communication jobs. Select the tasks that sound interesting or enjoyable to you.

performing for others by acting, singing, dancing, or playing music

planning, organizing, or directing performances

setting up, running, and maintaining technical equipment for performances and communications

creating artwork by drawing, painting, sculpting, or crafting

writing creative stories, news stories, or poems

investigating and reporting on news stories

Open Ended

There are many different workplaces in this career cluster. Select the workplaces that sound most interesting or enjoyable to you.

a stage

an art studio

a warehouse with large equipment

an office

a small technical studio with equipment

a recording studio

a television or movie set

What workplaces and tasks are common in Arts, A/V Technology, and Communication careers?

Workplaces Overview

This cluster includes a variety of types of workers and work environments. Workers involved in television, movies, theater, or radio may work in studios, on stages, and on sets. Technical workers may work in studios, on stages, and on sets, or in editing rooms.

Print and publishing workers may work in newsrooms, offices, and printing facilities.

Workers in this cluster usually work indoors, but some occasionally work outdoors or travel to different locations.

Employers include many types of companies, such as movie studios, television networks, publications, telecommunications companies, and more. Many workers are self-employed, which is working for oneself and earning money directly from one’s product or service. 

The overall self-employment rate for all careers is 11 percent, but in this cluster, 68 percent of Writers and Authors and 63 percent of Photographers are self-employed. Others with high self-employment include Craft Artists, Art Directors, Multimedia Artists and Animators, Fine Artists, and many more. 

Tasks Overview

• Some common tasks performed by workers in this cluster include:

  entertaining an audience with a performance such as acting, singing, dancing, or playing music.

• planning, organizing, or directing performances; for example, by directing a play, writing a song, or designing a dance routine

  
  

• setting up, running, and maintaining technical equipment such as sound and video equipment, lighting, telecommunications equipment, or printing presses.

• creating artwork using various methods such as drawing, painting, or sculpting.

• writing creative stories, news stories, poems, or other text.

• investigating and reporting factual news information by writing or speaking.

Multiple Select

Select the examples of common Arts, A/V Technology, and Communication employers. Check all that apply.

• publications

• telecommunications companies

• high schools

• movie studios

• television networks

What workplaces and tasks are common in Arts, A/V Technology, and Communication careers?

Visual Arts Workplaces

Visual Arts workplaces include anywhere that art can be created. Workers may create art in studios or workshops, in offices at computers, or even outdoors.

The workspace needs to have enough room for the worker’s tools and supplies. For example, a Fine Artist who creates large paintings needs a big space, while a Graphic Designer who works on computers may only need a small desk area.

Some types of art can be messy, so workers may wear clothing that can get dirty.

Visual Arts Employers

Many workers in this pathway are self-employed. Craft Artists, Photographers, Fine Artists, Multimedia Artists and Animators, and Artists and Related Workers have self-employment rates around 60 percent.

Some workers, such as Graphic Designers and Commercial or Industrial Designers, more often work for companies and have self-employment rates closer to 30 percent. This is still high compared to the overall average of roughly 11 percent across all industries.

Job growth in this pathway is expected to be average or below, depending on the career.

Visual Arts Tasks

• creating artwork using various methods such as drawing, painting, or sculpting.

• using art and design skills to create artwork, such as book illustrations or company logos, for commercial purposes.

• using specialized tools such as pottery wheels, computer programs, or cameras.

• communicating with customers and clients.

• following instructions and specifications (requirements) for a piece of artwork.

• developing creative ideas and messages to express in artwork.

• using layout guidelines and design principles to develop and improve artwork. attending events to market and sell products.

Multiple Select

Which examples demonstrate tasks commonly performed in Visual Arts jobs? Check all that apply.

• Cliff sets up video equipment at a music concert.

• Gary attends a state fair to sell his handmade clothing in a booth.

• Christopher dances in a large ballet production on a stage.

• Yolanda uses a computer tablet to draw an illustration for a textbook.

• Shirley has a meeting with a customer to discuss a wedding she will be photographing.

Performing Arts Workplaces

Performing Arts workplaces include anywhere a performance can take place such as on a stage, in a movie studio, or on a television set. Street performers even entertain people who are walking down the street.

Many performance spaces are indoors, but some are outside, such as parks or sporting arenas. Some television or movie scenes may also be filmed outside.

Performers often work in groups and must get along with other cast members, such as other Actors, Dancers, or Musicians.

Performing Arts Employers

Self-employment rates in this pathway are fairly high. Musicians and Singers have a 43 percent rate of self-employment, while Music Directors and Composers are at 38 percent. Producers and Directors have a 29 percent rate, while Actors are at 16 percent.

Jobs in Performing Arts can be very competitive, and workers may need to audition against many other candidates all trying for the same part. Some workers are unable to support themselves in this career and must work another job to supplement their incomes.

Performing Arts Tasks

entertaining an audience by performing; for example, by acting, singing, dancing, or playing music.

following instructions and responding well to criticism.

performing in auditions.

memorizing and rehearsing scripts, songs, and routines.

communicating with coworkers.

planning, organizing, or directing performances; for example, by directing a play, writing a song, or designing a dance routine.

supervising, organizing, and coordinating performances.

writing works of fiction, poetry, or nonfiction.

Multiple Select

Select the examples that best demonstrate likely workplaces for Performing Arts workers. Check all that apply.

• Monique rehearses with a dance group on a stage.

• Warren reviews news articles in a busy newsroom.

• Terry takes photos of products in a warehouse.

• Richard visits a movie studio to audition for a part.

• Miguel gives direction to actors on a television set.