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Story Artist Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

NPR

Petra Mayer Memorial Fellowship

Washington, DC · Hybrid

$30.05/hr

Intro To Position NPR's Society & Culture Desk offers news, discovery and analysis of arts and ... They will also assist reporters with research on critical stories, both long-term projects and ...

New

E Logic

Video Graphic Designer

Washington, DC · On-site

$115K/yr

... storytelling. * Ensure branding consistency across multimedia content. * Mentor team members on motion graphics best practices. Required Qualifications * Bachelor's degree in Multimedia Arts, Graphic ...

XCAL

Child Center Team Member

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$12 - $14/hr

Engages children in interactive activities that include storytelling, organized arts and crafts, singing, and games in the Child Activity Center.Monitors and interacts with children to maintain a ...

XCAL

Child Center Team Member

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$12 - $14/hr

Engages children in interactive activities that include storytelling, organized arts and crafts, singing, and games in the Child Activity Center. * Monitors and interacts with children to maintain a ...

XCAL

Child Center Team Member

Ashburn, VA

$75K - $100K/yr

Engages children in interactive activities that include storytelling, organized arts and crafts, singing, and games in the Child Activity Center. * Monitors and interacts with children to maintain a ...

Edge Media Group LLC

Photographer

Hyattsville, MD · On-site

$18 - $40/hr

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in photography, visual arts, or a related field preferred. How to Apply: If you're passionate about visual storytelling and thrive in a fast-paced, creative ...

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All JobsStory Artist JobsStory Artist Jobs in Reston, VA

Story Artist information

See Reston, VA salary details

$31.7K

$134.8K

$158.7K

How much do story artist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for story artist in Reston, VA is $134,768.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $132,100.00 and $158,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a story artist?

Story artists are creative professionals who visualize scripts, concepts, or ideas into a sequence of drawings known as storyboards. They work closely with directors, writers, and animators to map out how the story will unfold visually, helping to plan camera angles, character actions, and scene transitions. Story artists play a crucial role in animation, film, and video game production by ensuring that the narrative flows smoothly and effectively before production begins. Their work serves as a blueprint for the entire creative team.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a story artist?

To thrive as a Story Artist, you need strong drawing skills, storytelling ability, and a solid understanding of cinematic language, often supported by a degree in animation, illustration, or a related field. Proficiency with digital art tools like Photoshop, Storyboard Pro, and familiarity with animation pipelines is essential. Creativity, collaboration, and the ability to accept and apply feedback are standout soft skills in this role. These skills are crucial for visually communicating narrative ideas, contributing to cohesive storytelling, and working effectively within production teams.

How do story artists typically collaborate with directors and other departments during a production?

Story Artists work closely with directors to translate scripts into visual sequences, often participating in story meetings to refine narrative and pacing. They also interact with writers, editors, and other artists to ensure their storyboards align with the overall vision. Collaboration often involves receiving feedback and making revisions, as well as communicating ideas clearly to departments like layout, animation, and design. This teamwork is essential for maintaining consistency and achieving the creative goals of the project.

What is the difference between Story Artist vs Character Designer?

AspectStory ArtistCharacter Designer
Required SkillsStorytelling, sketching, visual storytelling, understanding of narrative flowCharacter drawing, design, anatomy, personality development
Work EnvironmentAnimation studios, film production, story development teamsAnimation studios, character design departments, concept art teams
Industry UsageCreates storyboards to visualize scenes and sequencesDesigns characters for animation, film, and games

While both roles are integral to animation and film production, a Story Artist focuses on visual storytelling through storyboards, illustrating scenes and narrative flow. A Character Designer specializes in creating and developing characters' appearances and personalities. Both roles require artistic skills, but their focus areas differ, with Story Artists emphasizing storytelling and scene visualization, and Character Designers concentrating on character creation and design.

What are popular job titles related to Story Artist jobs in Reston, VA?

For Story Artist jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Story Artist jobs in Reston, VA look for?

The top searched job categories for Story Artist jobs in Reston, VA are:

What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Story Artist jobs?

Cities near Reston, VA with the most Story Artist job openings:

Story Artist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Story Artist job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 87% In-person, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $134,768 per year, or $64.8 per hour.

Arts & Government Reporter

Washington, DC

The Washington Post
Newspaper Publishers • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about The Washington Postexternal

$97K - $162K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 22 days ago

Job description

Application Instructions

Please list all professional experience and explain any gaps in employment history. All of your application materials, which may include PDF files of work samples and/or links to audio, video, photography or graphics, must be uploaded to the field labeled Resume/Cover Letter/Work Samples to be considered for the position.

Join the future of news

We're on a mission to deliver riveting storytelling for all of America. At The Washington Post, you'll help reinvent news. Our work is driven by a deep investigative spirit and enhanced by innovation to bring audiences closer to the stories that matter most.

About Our Team

The Washington Post is powered by the passion and talent of our people. It takes all of us to reinvent news. Beyond our award-winning Newsroom and Opinions teams, we work across many departments, including Brand & Events, Communications, Customer Care, Engineering & Product, Finance, Human Resources, Legal, Marketing & Advertising, Print Operations, and Sales.

Why This Role Matters

The Washington Post isseekingan enterprising, deeply curious reporter to cover the intersection of arts and government at a pivotal moment for the nation's cultural institutions.

This is a distinctive and high-impact beat focused on the country's most prominent arts organizations - including the Kennedy Center, the Smithsonian museums, the Library of Congress and the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities - and how they are being shaped by policy decisions and political forces. The reporter will chronicle how the Trump administration is influencing cultural institutions, and how those shifts reverberate through the arts, publiclifeand national identity.

We are looking for a journalist who thrives on breaking news and driving original reporting, while also producing ambitious enterprise and narrative work. The ideal candidate will bring a passion for the arts, a strong instinct for accountabilityreportingand a keen eye for the personalities, conflicts and cultural currents shaping this moment. This is a busy and complex beat that requires both speed and depth - a reporter who can move quickly ondevelopmentswhile also stepping back to explain their broader significance.

This role sits within Features but will intersectfrequentlywith politics,policyand national reporting, requiring close collaboration across the newsroom.Itis based in our Washington, D.C., newsroom.

What Motivates You:

  • You are fascinated by how culture and power intersect - and how institutions shape national identity.

  • You are driven to break news and uncover the forces reshaping major arts organizations.

  • You enjoy moving between daily reporting and deeper, narrative storytelling.

  • You are curious about the people, conflicts and ideas driving change in the arts world.

  • You are collaborative and eager to work across desks to elevate coverage.

HowYou'llSupport the Mission:

  • Break news on major developments within the nation's leading arts institutions.

  • Deliver ambitious news, analysis and enterprise stories shaped by original reporting, trend-spotting and fresh insight.

  • Develop andmaintainsources across cultural institutions, governmentagenciesand the broader arts ecosystem.

  • Track and explain how policy decisions and political dynamicsare reshaping arts organizations and cultural priorities.

  • Produce narrative and feature stories that capture the human impact of institutional and cultural change.

  • Report and write quickly as events unfold, while also pursuing longer-term enterprise and accountability work.

  • Collaborate with visual journalists,designersand editors to produce compelling, multi-format storytelling.

The Skills and Experiences You Bring:

  • A track recordof delivering exclusive news and impactful enterprise reporting.

  • Demonstrated ability to report and write breaking news with speed,clarityand precision.

  • Strong source-building skills and the ability to cultivate relationships across complex institutions.

  • A passion for the arts and a clear interest in how culture intersects with politics and public life.

  • Experience or interest in working with visual storytelling and collaborating across disciplines.

  • Ability to work both ondeadlineand on longer-term narrative projects.

  • A commitment to fair,accurateand rigorous reporting, upholding the highest standards of journalism ethics.

  • Experience covering arts institutions ordemonstratedability to quickly buildexpertiseand sourcing on a new beat is a plus.

Interested candidates should upload a cover letter,resumeand three examples of their work (as PDFs) to ourjobsportal. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, but those received by Apr. 15 will be prioritized. The cover letter should be addressed to Deputy Features Editor Ellen McCarthy and Features Editor Amanda Finnegan.

The salary range for this position is $97,400 - $162,300. The actual salary within this range will depend on individual skills,experienceand qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements.

Collaboration makes us stronger. That's why our offices are designed with open layouts, modern technology, and easy access to transportation. With certain exceptions for newsgathering and business travel, we work on-site five days a week.Compensation and Benefits

Wherever you are in your life or career, The Washington Post offers comprehensive and inclusive benefits for every step of your journey:

  • Competitive medical, dental and vision coverage

  • Company-paid pension and 401(k) match

  • Three weeks of vacation and up to three weeks of paid sick leave

  • Nine paid holidays and two personal days

  • 20 weeks paid parental leave for any new parent

  • Robust mental health resources

  • Backup care and caregiver concierge services

  • Gender affirming services

  • Pet insurance

  • Free Post digital subscription

  • Leadership and career development programs

Benefits may vary based on the job, full-time or part-time schedule, location, and collectively bargained status.

Your story awaits. Apply today!

Learn more about The Post at careers.washingtonpost.com.

Apply