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Graduate Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Graduate Assistant

NY · On-site

$16 - $16.50/hr

Bonaventure is dedicated to academic excellence as informed by its Franciscan and liberal arts ... than 1,000 graduate students in its schools of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education ...

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Graduate Artist information

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$30.5K

$129.5K

$152.5K

How much do graduate artist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for graduate artist in the United States is $129,541.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $127,000.00 and $152,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a graduate artist?

Graduate Artists are individuals who have recently completed a degree in fine arts or a related creative field. They typically possess foundational skills in various artistic disciplines such as painting, sculpture, digital media, or performance art. Graduate Artists often seek to build their professional portfolios, gain exhibition experience, and develop their unique artistic voice as they transition from academic environments to the broader art world. Many participate in residencies, internships, or collaborative projects to further their careers.

What are the typical responsibilities and collaborative opportunities for a graduate artist in a creative studio?

As a Graduate Artist, you can expect to work closely with senior artists, designers, and project managers to create high-quality visual content, such as illustrations, concept art, or 3D models. You'll often be tasked with assisting on larger projects by contributing to asset creation, refining artwork based on feedback, and participating in team meetings to align with project goals. Collaboration is a key part of the role, as you'll regularly exchange ideas with other creatives and may have the opportunity to present your concepts. This environment offers valuable learning experiences and helps you build a professional portfolio, laying the groundwork for career advancement in the industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a graduate artist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Graduate Artist, you need a solid grounding in visual art principles, creative techniques, and often a relevant art degree or portfolio showcasing your work. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as Adobe Creative Suite, digital illustration tools, and sometimes animation or 3D modeling programs is beneficial. Strong communication, self-motivation, and the ability to accept and act on feedback are vital soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for producing compelling artwork, collaborating with clients or teams, and adapting to the evolving demands of the creative industry.

What is the difference between Graduate Artist vs Art Assistant?

AspectGraduate ArtistArt Assistant
Required CredentialsTypically a recent art degree or equivalentOften a high school diploma or associate degree, with some art experience
Work EnvironmentStudio, gallery, or educational settings, focusing on developing personal art skillsAssist artists or curators in studios or galleries, supporting daily operations
Industry UsageEntry-level role for emerging artistsSupport role in art production or exhibition setup

The main difference is that a Graduate Artist is primarily focused on developing their own artistic practice and portfolio, often in studio or educational settings. An Art Assistant supports established artists or institutions by handling logistical or preparatory tasks. Both roles are entry-level but serve different purposes within the art industry.

More about Graduate Artist jobs

What cities are hiring for Graduate Artist jobs?

Cities with the most Graduate Artist job openings:

What job categories do people searching Graduate Artist jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Graduate Artist jobs are:

Infographic showing various Graduate Artist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $129,541 per year, or $62.3 per hour.

Graduate Assistant (Communication, Media, & Theatre Arts)

Eastern Michigan University

Ypsilanti, MI

Full-time, Part-time

Re-posted 5 days ago


Eastern Michigan University rating

6.5

Company rating: 6.5 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

512th of 618 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Graduate Assistant (Communication, Media, & Theatre Arts)

Apply now Job no: 495459
Work type: Graduate Assistant
Location: Ypsilanti
Categories: Academic & Student Affairs, College of Arts & Sciences

Title: Graduate Assistant (Communication, Media, & Theatre Arts)

Employee Classification: GA

Pay Grade: GS 00

Division: Academic and Student Affairs

Department: School of Communication, Media, and Theatre Arts

Campus Location: Main Campus

General Summary

Graduate Assistants for staffing will support co-curricular activities in the School of Communication, Media, & Theatre Arts. Areas of staffing include: Forensics coaching; Scene shop; Costume shop; Theatre Direction; Applied Drama & Theatre for Young; Performance Studies events.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

  • Positions will be supervised by an assigned faculty or staff member who will require orientations and periodic supervision for each position.
  • These positions require Graduate Assistants to often complete their hours of work in the evenings and/or on weekends.
  • Graduate Assistants may be asked to supervise undergraduate students to execute the duties of a particular position. 
  • Traveling with staff for off campus events or attending on campus events may also be required.

Minimum Qualifications:

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or recognized international institution of higher education.

Must work at least 10 hours a week

Must be fully or conditionally admitted to a graduate program of study in the School of Communication, Media, or Theatre Arts. (Applicants with a grade point average below 3.0 or students with admission for continuing education, non-degree, and teacher certification are also not eligible for a graduate assistantship.

Academic background or co-curricular experience relevant to the needs of a particular position.

Experience in public speaking, such as presenting research, forensics competitions, or prior teaching engagements.

Additional Information:

  • Period of Employment is August 2026 - April 2027
  • Second-year appointment is contingent on performance, academic success, and resources.


Tuition support: A half-time GA entitles a student to 5 graduate credit hours of tuition waiver in the Fall semester and 4 graduate credit hours in the Winter semester, with a limit of 9 credit hours in total during the Fall/Winter semesters. No tuition waiver is available during the Spring/Summer semester. A full-time GA entitles a student to 18 credit hours of tuition waiver divided equally over Fall and Winter terms. 

To be eligible for the full or part-time award, students must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours in the Fall and 6 credit hours in the Winter. Students are responsible for additional fees not covered by tuition (i.e., general fee, student center fee, and technology fee), new student record initiation fee, registration fee, late registration fee, drop fees, or late fees applied when bills are unpaid. Courses taken below the 500 level will not be eligible for reimbursement under the GA/DF tuition waiver benefit unless the courses are included in the program of study for a 150-credit hour, dual degree, bachelor's/master's program.

Priority registration is provided by online registration by the date specified by the Office of Records and Registration as noted in the Class Schedule Book or Website (same date as undergraduate Honors students)

Appointment Percentage:

50% or 100%

Advertised: 12 Feb 2026 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close:

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