Artist
Creates art — painting, sculpting, poetry, music, film — as a mode of personal expression.
Overview
The creator of any art is called an artist. It can include painting, sculpting, poetry, singing, filming, drawing, composing, and creating music. An artist uses his creation as a mode of expression of her or his unique point of view.
Where they work
- Media and Entertainment companies
- Colleges and Institutes across India
- Publishing
- Broadcasting
- Film
- Digital design
- Advertising and Marketing companies
Work environment
It is a desk job, creative in nature. If you are employed as a commercial artist, local travelling maybe a part of this job. Part-time work and contractual jobs may also be available. Work from home option is available. Media and Entertainment companies usually work for 5 to 6 days a week and 8 to 9 hours everyday. This may vary from company to company. Being self-employed is also an option. In this case, the working hours and days will be flexible. Entrepreneurship: you can choose to freelance or start your own business.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You are a creative person
- You like to do experiments
- You want to join a course in Fine Arts
- You like to read about art and music
Eligibility and education roadmap
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment.
Route 1
- 1Complete 10+2 in any stream.
- 2Complete Bachelor's in Fine Art/Applied Art/Visual Art/Graphic Art or any similar discipline
Alternative route 2
- 1Complete Bachelor's and follow it up with a Master's degree in the same or allied subject
Alternative route 3
- 1Complete Bachelor's and then opt for a PG Diploma in Fine Arts.
Forms, exams and applications
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
The various relevant courses are offered by the Department of Fine Arts. This list of institutes is indicative only.
Government institutes
- Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
- Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
- Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra
- University of Lucknow, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
- Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
- Panjab University, Chandigarh, Punjab
- Maharaja Sayajirao University, Vadodara, Gujarat
- Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata, West Bengal
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka
- Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar, Punjab
- Chandigarh University, Chandigarh, Punjab
- National Institute of Medical Sciences University, Jaipur, Rajasthan
- Amity University, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh
- Adamas University, Kolkata, West Bengal
- Noida International University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Trainee
- 2Junior Commercial Artist
- 3Commercial Artist
- 4Senior Commercial Artist
- 5Head of Department
Expected income
₹20,000 – ₹22,000 per month and more
These figures are taken from NCS and are indicative and subject to change.
SourceRelated careers to explore
Sculptor
Works clay, stone, plaster or metal into three-dimensional representative or abstract art.
Illustrator
Uses drawings to convey a message — for advertisements, books, magazines and packaging.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Any Stream, Arts.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to creating.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
Meera Mukherjee — An Artist and Writer, popularly known for her sculptures. Mukherjee joined the Indian Society of Oriental Art School at the age of 14, and later enroled herself at the Delhi Polytechnic from where she received her Diploma in painting, graphics, and sculpture in 1947. In 1953, she attended Hochschule für Bildende Künste in Germany to study painting. However, she discontinued her painting course within the first semester and went on to take up sculpture.
SourceThis profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 1, printed page 65 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://bit.ly/3SwScG4
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.