ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Contract Art Director Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Roark

Roark Global Marketing Director

Irvine, CA · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

Marketing Manager, Art Director, contract Community Manager, and Athlete Manager. Set goals, run reviews, build growth paths. * Direct the Community Manager on grassroots, event and community ...

City of Irvine

Contract Class Instructor

Irvine, CA · On-site

$23 - $29.75/hr

For fine arts, review our current quarter's Art Beat newsletter to see if your proposed class is ... Director of Community Services, will review the proposals. Proposals will be considered for ...

City of Irvine, CA

Contract Class Instructor

Irvine, CA · On-site

For fine arts, review our current quarter's Art Beat newsletter to see if your proposed class is ... Insurance as defined by contract Supplemental Information City staff, as designated by the Director ...

Vesync

Manager of Media Production

Tustin, CA · On-site

Partner with Creative Directors, Art Directors, Designers, Copywriters, and Marketing teams to ... Manage production budgets, vendor contracts, licensing agreements, and purchase requests. * Ensure ...

Vesync

Manager of Media Production

Tustin, CA · On-site

Partner with Creative Directors, Art Directors, Designers, Copywriters, and Marketing teams to ... Manage production budgets, vendor contracts, licensing agreements, and purchase requests. * Ensure ...

Vesync

Manager of Media Production

Tustin, CA · On-site

Partner with Creative Directors, Art Directors, Designers, Copywriters, and Marketing teams to ... Manage production budgets, vendor contracts, licensing agreements, and purchase requests. * Ensure ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsContract Art JobsContract Art Director JobsContract Art Director Jobs in Riverside, CA

Contract Art Director information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$46.4K

$127K

$152.8K

How much do contract art director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract art director in Riverside, CA is $127,025.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $126,200.00 and $132,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the responsibilities of a contract art director?

A Contract Art Director oversees the visual aspects of a project, such as advertisements, films, or marketing campaigns, on a temporary or project-based basis. They collaborate with clients, creative teams, and other stakeholders to develop and execute a cohesive artistic vision. Their duties often include managing designers and artists, setting visual guidelines, and ensuring that the final product aligns with the client’s brand and objectives. Contract Art Directors may also be responsible for budgeting, scheduling, and presenting concepts to clients. Their role is vital in maintaining the quality and consistency of creative deliverables.

How does a contract art director typically collaborate with other departments during a project?

As a Contract Art Director, you’ll frequently work cross-functionally with creative teams, project managers, copywriters, and marketing or product departments. Your role involves translating project goals into visual strategies, providing feedback to designers, and ensuring visual coherence across deliverables. Clear communication and adaptability are essential, as you may need to quickly integrate into established teams and workflows. Regular meetings and collaborative platforms help keep projects aligned and ensure that creative output meets client or company expectations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract art director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Art Director, you need a strong background in visual design, art direction, and creative project management, often supported by a relevant degree and a robust design portfolio. Mastery of industry-standard tools like Adobe Creative Suite, project management platforms, and experience with digital asset systems is typically required. Excellent communication, leadership, and collaboration skills set standout candidates apart in guiding creative teams and interfacing with clients. These competencies ensure innovative, cohesive visual outcomes delivered on time and aligned with client goals.

What is the difference between Contract Art Director vs Freelance Art Director?

AspectContract Art DirectorFreelance Art Director
Employment TypeTemporary, project-based with a fixed contractIndependent, self-employed, works on multiple projects
Work EnvironmentTypically in-house or agency settingRemote or on-site, varies by client
CredentialsPortfolio, relevant design/art degrees, industry experiencePortfolio, industry experience, self-promotion skills
Usage in IndustryCommon in agencies and corporate projectsPopular among independent professionals and small studios

Both Contract Art Directors and Freelance Art Directors require strong portfolios and relevant credentials. The main difference lies in employment structure: Contract Art Directors are hired for specific projects within a company or agency, while Freelance Art Directors operate independently across multiple clients. Understanding these distinctions helps professionals choose the right path based on their work preferences and career goals.

Are contract art directors paid well?

Contract art directors' pay varies based on experience, project scope, and industry, but they often earn competitive rates due to their specialized skills in visual design and project management. Compensation can range from moderate to high, especially for experienced professionals working on high-profile projects or with well-known agencies. Rates are typically negotiated per project or on an hourly basis, reflecting the temporary nature of contract work.

How much do freelance contract art directors make?

Freelance contract art directors typically earn between $50 and $150 per hour, depending on experience, project scope, and industry. Their annual income varies widely based on the number of projects secured and their rates, with experienced professionals often charging higher fees for specialized skills and high-profile clients.

Is there a high demand for contract art directors?

Contract art directors are in steady demand across industries such as advertising, media, and entertainment, especially for project-based work. Employers seek professionals with strong portfolios, leadership skills, and proficiency in design tools like Adobe Creative Suite, making contract roles a common option for experienced art directors.

What are the most commonly searched types of Art Director jobs in Riverside, CA?

The most popular types of Art Director jobs in Riverside, CA are:

What are popular job titles related to Contract Art Director jobs in Riverside, CA?

For Contract Art Director jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Contract Art Director jobs in Riverside, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Contract Art Director jobs in Riverside, CA are:

What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Contract Art Director jobs?

Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Contract Art Director job openings:

Contract Art Director jobs near you

Assistant Curator of Modern/Contemporary Art, American Art

National Museum of Wildlife Art

Santa Ana, CA • On-site

$80 - $100/hr

Other

Posted 19 hours ago

Posted today

Job description

SUMMARY

Oversees the care and interpretation of the Museum’s collections of American art, with a focus on modern and contemporary art. Manages and curates permanent and special exhibitions about modern/contemporary art, and/or American art which fulfills the mission of the Museum. Makes recommendations for acquisition and deaccession on related collections. Coordinates research on the collections and the publication of the results of that research.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Assist the Chief Curator and works with other curatorial staff on the projects of modern and contemporary art, particularly American art

Curate a permanent exhibition of the art of tea; ensure that permanent exhibition addition is consistent with the overall museum exhibition plans

Represent the Museum at local, national, and international level meetings and conferences

Oversee research, planning, coordination of internal and traveling exhibitions of the Museum’s American art

Facilitate special exhibition contracts with Director of Exhibitions

Work with the Director of Collections (gift preparations, purchases, loan agreements, inventory of collections, contracts, insurance requirements, copyright and artist rights, data management, research, etc.)

Considerable public and donor contact with fundraising activities as required

Other duties as assigned

Conduct all responsibilities in a safe manner according to regulations (OSHA, EPA, etc.)

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made.

Education and/or Experience

M.A. degree in Museum Studies, Art History or related field is required; Ph.D. in Art History preferred; plus a minimum of 3 years of museum experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Other Skills, Abilities, and/or Training
  • Ability to work extended hours as needed
  • Ability to work weekends, if needed
  • Ability to preserve confidentiality of information
  • Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Ability to work within strict deadlines
  • Good interpersonal skills and desire to be a team player
  • Creative problem-solving skills
  • Exceptional customer service skills
  • Excellent written communication skills (i.e. business letter writing, grammar, etc.)
  • Excellent oral communication skills (i.e. ability to deal effectively with others, speak professionally on the phone, etc.)
  • Sense of creativity
  • Familiarity with industry terms and processes
  • Proficient with TMS or related software
  • Proficient with Microsoft® Office Suite
  • Previous supervisory experience
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
  • Regularly required to remain seated in a normal position for long periods of time
  • Occasionally required to stand for long periods of time
  • Regularly required to move about
  • Occasionally required to climb stairs and/or ladders
  • Regularly required to maintain balance while walking, standing, crouching, or running
  • Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl
  • Occasionally required to reach up and out with hands and arms
  • Regularly required to talk and hear; verbally express information or instructions
  • Regularly required to use hands to grasp objects, type, pick up objects, move objects, or hold objects
  • Occasionally required to lift up to 50 pounds and carry a distance of 10 feet
  • Occasionally required to push and/or pull up to 50 pounds a distance of 10 feet
WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this job.

Rarely exposed to outdoor weather and temperature extremes

Regularly exposed to indoor conditions

Rarely exposed to extreme noise level

Rarely exposed to chemicals, fumes, dust, or work safety hazards

The individual is regularly exposed to indoor conditions and moderate noise level; the individual is occasionally exposed to outdoor weather and temperature extremes.

Disclaimer: The above information on this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employee assigned to this job.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Apply