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Color Artist Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Teaching Artist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$6.8K/mo

ALIZE, the premier early college arts program in Chicago. Drawing high school juniors and seniors ... The college does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation ...

GENERAL SUMMARY & SCOPE The Specialty Artist - MAC is responsible for maximizing sales in the MAC brand (including color cosmetics, skincare, and fragrance) by engaging guests to determine their ...

GENERAL SUMMARY & SCOPE The Specialty Artist - MAC is responsible for maximizing sales in the MAC brand (including color cosmetics, skincare, and fragrance) by engaging guests to determine their ...

GENERAL SUMMARY & SCOPE The Specialty Artist - MAC is responsible for maximizing sales in the MAC brand (including color cosmetics, skincare, and fragrance) by engaging guests to determine their ...

GENERAL SUMMARY & SCOPE The Specialty Artist - MAC is responsible for maximizing sales in the MAC brand (including color cosmetics, skincare, and fragrance) by engaging guests to determine their ...

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Color Artist information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$31.4K

$133.4K

$157.1K

How much do color artist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for color artist in Chicago, IL is $133,446.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $130,800.00 and $156,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How do you become a color artist?

To become a color artist, typically one needs a strong foundation in art and color theory, often gained through a bachelor's degree in fine arts, illustration, or a related field. Developing skills in digital painting tools like Adobe Photoshop or Corel Painter and building a portfolio of color work are essential steps. Gaining experience through internships or freelance projects can also help establish a career in this specialized art role.

What does a color artist do during a typical workday on a team project?

A typical workday for a Color Artist involves receiving line art or sketches from other artists, carefully applying colors in line with the project’s style guidelines, and communicating frequently with lead artists, art directors, or writers to ensure consistency and quality. You might review feedback, adjust palettes, and manage several drafts simultaneously to meet production deadlines. Collaboration is central, as you’ll often attend team meetings, share progress updates, and sometimes help brainstorm visual concepts. This dynamic environment requires a balance between creative autonomy and teamwork, making each day varied and engaging. Over time, Color Artists may take on more complex projects or progress to art direction roles.

What is a color artist?

A Color Artist is responsible for enhancing the visual appeal of artwork, animations, comics, or films by selecting and applying colors that align with the project's style and mood. They work closely with designers, animators, and directors to ensure consistency and emotional impact. Their tasks may include creating color palettes, shading, and lighting effects. Color Artists require a strong understanding of color theory, composition, and digital tools.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a color artist?

To thrive as a Color Artist, you need a solid understanding of color theory, strong artistic skills, and experience with visual storytelling, typically backed by a degree in art, illustration, or a related field. Proficiency in industry-standard digital tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, or similar software is essential, and familiarity with file formatting and layer management is highly valued. Attention to detail, collaboration, and the ability to meet deadlines are key soft skills that help Color Artists excel. These skills are crucial for delivering high-quality colored illustrations that enhance the visual narrative and align with client or team expectations.

What are the most commonly searched types of Color Artist jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Color Artist jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Color Artist jobs in Chicago, IL? For Color Artist jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Color Artist jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Color Artist jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Infographic showing various Color Artist job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $133,446 per year, or $64.2 per hour.

$6.8K/mo

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 25 days ago


Job description

Columbia College Chicago is an acclaimed undergraduate and graduate institution that provides a comprehensive education in the arts, communications and public relations. We constantly aim to reach our full potential as an educational innovator, incubator of new creative practice and generator of real-world success for young creatives. We are in the heart of Chicago, across the street from historic Grant Park, and housed in some of the most iconic buildings in the South Loop. 

Columbia College Chicago is a private urban institution of approximately 4,500  undergraduate and graduate students, four-year College offering a distinctive curriculum that blends liberal arts, creative and media arts and business is currently searching for a Teaching Artist.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the appropriate Columbia College Chicago School Director, the Part-Time Teaching Artist is responsible for the design and delivery of foundational courses in the areas of visual art, theater, dance, and music.

In partnership with the Chicago Public Schools Department of Arts Education (DAE), Columbia College Chicago presents RE:ALIZE, the premier early college arts program in Chicago. Drawing high school juniors and seniors without robust arts access at their home schools to Columbia College Chicago and the Wells campus, RE:ALIZE provides a two-year sequence of standards-based, culturally relevant, rigorous coursework. In addition to completing 12 college credits in their artistic discipline through Dual Enrollment courses, RE:ALIZE students will participate in weekly workshops at Wells Community Academy High School, and complete work-based learning opportunities within their field. Each student graduates as an artistically-minded, analytical lifelong learner whose RE:ALIZE experience culminates in the presentation of a Senior Portfolio

This position is part-time, continued employment is contingent on available funding for position. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Deliver Columbia College Chicago courses to RE:ALIZE dual enrollment high school students in dance, music, theatre, or visual arts.

Create an effective learning environment that fosters students' intellectual curiosity and helps students to problem solve using discipline-specific thinking strategies.

Use and stay abreast of current pedagogies and technologies that are effective in a diverse classroom.

Collaborate with other program faculty and staff to use assessment techniques to maximize the effectiveness of classroom instruction that leads to learning outcomes attainment and student success.

Participate in practitioner-focused meetings and trainings offered by the Department of Arts Education and/or Columbia College Chicago.

Perform other duties as required by contract, collective bargaining agreement, and general programmatic needs in a timely manner.

Bachelor's degree in the relevant area required; Master's degree preferred. Significant professional experience in the discipline of the course may substitute for the graduate degree, contingent upon approval from the college.

Experience teaching and/or mentoring in secondary and/or post-secondary schools required

Ability to establish a supportive and well-organized classroom community required

Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal skills required

Experience within the Canvas Learning Management System preferred

Knowledge of Columbia College Chicago and Chicago Public Schools preferred

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee and is subject to change based on the needs of the department and/or college.

The compensation rate for teaching one, 3-credit course in the dual enrollment program is $6,849.00. Compensation for courses that carry fewer, or more than three credits will be prorated down or up accordingly.

At Columbia, we offer a rewarding work environment for our faculty and staff. We take pride in offering competitive benefits with affordable health, dental and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts; commuter benefit program, life and accidental, death & dismemberment coverage; paid and unpaid leave options; work/life benefits; educational assistance programs; and retirement and financial planning benefits. Click here for more information.

We invite you to join our talented faculty and staff and become part of our collective aspiration to ensure Columbia prepares students for success in their creative fields through innovation, engagement and real-world experiences.

Additional Information

  • Position subject to a background screening.
  • This is a non-union position. 
  • This position is overtime ineligible.

Qualified candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. 

Columbia College Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations concerning civil rights. The college does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law.