Careers in art: muralist

Muralists are visual artists who paint large-scale artwork onto walls and buildings. These artworks are often community-focused, political, or just decorative. They’re often commissioned by cities, businesses, schools, nonprofits, or private clients.

Responsibilities include:

• Beint able to develop a concept and keep the client’s ideas in mind

• Create scaled pre-drawings/sketches

• Know how to paint on the surface (some materials require priming first)

• Can work at heights/on scaffolding

• Protect completed work

Skills/credentials

• Strong portfolio

• Basic art skills (color, composition, etc)

• Can manage and finish long projects

College Majors

• Fine Arts / Studio Art

• Painting

• Visual Arts

• Illustration

• Public Art

• Graphic Design

Schools strong in these programs:

• Rhode Island School of Design

• School of the Art Institute of Chicago

• California Institute of the Arts

• Savannah College of Art and Design

However, most muralist work is freelance or contract based. Building a strong portfolio/reputation and networking is more important than a degree.