Fine arts includes a number of career opportunities and job titles, from performers and artists, to arts administrators, to filmmakers and designers. For as many different careers as there are in the fire arts field, there are even more pathways into these roles.
So where to start? These resources can help you find a variety of opportunities and learn more about what possibilities are out there for creators and creative supporters.
General Resources
Springboard for the Arts: a Minnesota non-profit that provides a job board of fine art and fine art-adjacent jobs, offers information on grants and funding, and provides a wealth of resources such as career consultation, gear and equipment rentals, and health and wellness support.
Minnesota Council of Nonprofits: A job board sharing postings for various non-profit industries across the state.
Minnesota State Arts Board: offers grants and other opportunities for Minnesota fine arts creators, also provides a list of Minnesota arts organizations to get involved with
Metropolitan Regional Arts Council: information on grants, funding, and accessibility resources for Minnesotans; connected to the Minnesota State Arts Board
Art Jobs: a job search site featuring career opportunities in arts, theater, culture, education and libraries, and museums across the country
McKnight Artist Fellowships: provides funding and support to Minnesota artists within specific venues such as the Loft, American Composers Forum, the Playwrights’ Center, and many others.
Americans for the Arts Career Center: offers a job search for a variety of fine art careers across the US
New York Foundation for the Arts: includes a job board for art and art-related careers across the US
National Endowment for the Arts: offers grants and a number of other resources for artists of all kinds
For Visual Arists
Juxtapostition Arts – Programs: a Minneapolis-based organization to engage and employ young urban artists; also provides classes and events for teens and college students
Forecast: an organization in St. Paul offering resources, grants, and opportunities for artists of color, Indigenous and/or Native artists, and groups that are traditionally excluded
Indigenous Roots: a cultural space and organization dedicated to building, supporting and cultivating opportunities for Native, Black, Brown and Indigenous peoples.
Kennedy Center – Visual Arts Career: an outline of what it takes to have a career in the visual arts (also available for download)
Walker Arts Center: hosts a variety of opportunities related to various visual arts.
For Performing Artists/Musicians
O*NET Performing Arts Job Search: job openings related to the performing arts for searching and exploration
The Dramatists Guild: the national trade association of playwrights, composers, lyricists, and librettists; offers membership and a variety of career services
Entertainers Worldwide: job listings for musicians, actors, and many other performance styles across the globe
Theatre Communications Group: offers grants, a job board, professional development, and other resources for those in theater
Association of Performing Arts Professionals – Job bank: job listings for opportunities in performing arts across the US
National Association for Music Education: job and internship resources for music educators
Musical America Worldwide: job opportunities, festivals and contests, service organizations, and more
Musicians Page: listings for freelance and gig work
Musical Chairs: job listings for those interested in classical music
American Composers Forum: a community space for musicians based in St. Paul; offers a variety of programs and services across the US
Mandy: opportunities for a variety of preforming arts across the world
Walker West: music education, concerts and community events in the Twin Cities rooted in the African American experience
Minnesota Playlist: job board and volunteer opportunities in the Twin Cities as well as audition listings; also includes a business directory and articles
Playwrights Center: offers membership and classes, free readings, and a variety of opportunities to playwrights and performers
For Creative Writers
The Loft: offers courses, career services, festivals, and a number of other resources for creative writers. It also includes lists of Minnesota publishers for those looking for opportunities.
Poets and Writers: a publication that helps writers connect with others, promote and publish their work, and search for opportunities, grants, MFA programs, agents, and other tools
Association of American Publishers: represents publishers in the US on matters of law and policy; offers internships and a variety of information bout the world of publishing
Minnesota Book Publishers Round Table: an organization featuring job boards, networking, and professional development to paid members
Midwest Independent Publishers Association: an organization for networking, events, and membership in the Midwest.
For Film, TV, Television and other Media
MSP Film: local film society that hosts annual festivals and has opportunities for internships and volunteering.
Twin Cities Film Festival: Supports education opportunities including internships
FilmNorth: an artistic development organization that often has summer internships.
Explore MN – Local Film Organizations: A list of more organizations to network and engage with.
Mizna: A literary magazine that also hosts an annual Twin Cities Arab Film Festival.
Upper Midwest Film Office: connection hub for a number of opportunities, including jobs and internships.
Walker Arts Center: hosts a variety of opportunities related to a number of visual arts, including cinema.
515 Productions: a local film company who has won an number of awards; no internships are posted on their site but a great networking opportunity
MN Film Alliance: non-profit trade association that represents Minnesota’s film, episodic and digital content production industry.
Busy Boy Productions: nationwide camera crew for hire based in the Twin Cities.
TV stations such as Kare 11, KSTP 5/Hubbard Broadcasting, and WCCO have their own job boards that are well worth looking at as well.