EducationISCO 2355
Visual arts teacher
Visual arts teachers instruct students in various styles of visual arts, such as drawing, painting, and sculpting, in a recreational context. They provide students with an overview of art history, but primarily utilise a practice-based approach in their courses, in which they assist students to experiment with and master different artistic techniques, and encourage them to develop their own style.
Check yourself in a minute: visual arts teacher
Rate 5 of the 24 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
teach arts principles
consult students on learning content
develop a coaching style
prepare lesson content
create artwork
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (24)
instructional strategiesinstructional strategiesThe techniques that instructors use to deliver lessons. The aim of these strategies is to make students become more involved in the learning process.teach arts principlesteach arts principlesInstruct students in the theory and practice of arts and crafts and the fine arts, whether recreationally, as part of their general education, or with the aim of assisting them in pursuing a future ca...consult students on learning contentconsult students on learning contentTake students' opinions and preferences into consideration when determining learning content.develop a coaching styledevelop a coaching styleDevelop a style for coaching individuals or groups that ensures all participants are at ease, and are able to acquire the necessary skills and competences provided in the coaching in a positive and pr...prepare lesson contentprepare lesson contentPrepare content to be taught in class in accordance with curriculum objectives by drafting exercises, researching up-to-date examples etc.create artworkcreate artworkCut, shape, fit, join, mould, or otherwise manipulate materials in an attempt to create a selected artwork-be the technical processes not mastered by the artist or used as a specialist.manage student relationshipsmanage student relationshipsManage the relations between students and between student and teacher. Act as a just authority and create an environment of trust and stability.select artistic materials to create artworksselect artistic materials to create artworksSelect artistic materials based on strength, colour, texture, balance, weight, size, and other characteristics that should guarantee the feasibility of the artistic creation regarding the expected sha...adapt teaching to student's capabilitiesadapt teaching to student's capabilitiesIdentify the learning struggles and successes of students. Select teaching and learning strategies that support students’ individual learning needs and goals.apply teaching strategiesapply teaching strategiesEmploy various approaches, learning styles, and channels to instruct students, such as communicating content in terms they can understand, organising talking points for clarity, and repeating argument...create craft prototypescreate craft prototypesFabricate and prepare prototypes or models of objects to be crafted.assess studentsassess studentsEvaluate the students' (academic) progress, achievements, course knowledge and skills through assignments, tests, and examinations. Diagnose their needs and track their progress, strengths, and weakne...assist students with equipmentassist students with equipmentProvide assistance to students when working with (technical) equipment used in practice-based lessons and solve operational problems when necessary.contextualise artistic workcontextualise artistic workIdentify influences and situate your work within a specific trend which may be of an artistic, aesthetic, or philosophical natures. Analyse the evolution of artistic trends, consult experts in the fie...select subject matterselect subject matterSelect subject matter based on personal or public interest, or ordered by a publisher or agent.define creative componentsdefine creative componentsIdentify sources of inspiration and strong points. Identify the subject of the art production. Identify the content. Identify creative factors such as performers and music.select illustration stylesselect illustration stylesSelect the appropriate style, medium, and techniques of illustration in line with the needs of the project and client's requests.demonstrate when teachingdemonstrate when teachingPresent to others examples of your experience, skills, and competences that are appropriate to specific learning content to help students in their learning.give constructive feedbackgive constructive feedbackProvide founded feedback through both criticism and praise in a respectful, clear, and consistent manner. Highlight achievements as well as mistakes and set up methods of formative assessment to evalu...supervise craft productionsupervise craft productionFabricate or prepare patterns or templates to guide the crafting production process.stimulate creativity in the teamstimulate creativity in the teamUse techniques like brainstorming to stimulate creativity in the team.perform classroom managementperform classroom managementMaintain discipline and engage students during instruction.assist students in their learningassist students in their learningSupport and coach students in their work, give learners practical support and encouragement.encourage students to acknowledge their achievementsencourage students to acknowledge their achievementsStimulate students to appreciate their own achievements and actions to nurture confidence and educational growth.
Optional (30) — show
assessment processesassessment processesVarious evaluation techniques, theories, and tools applicable in the assessment of students, participants in a programme, and employees. Different assessment strategies such as initial, formative, sum...art historyart historyThe history of art and artists, the artistic trends throughout centuries and their contemporary evolutions.types of painttypes of paintVarieties of paint and chemicals used in their composition.graphic designgraphic designThe techniques to create a visual representation of ideas and messages.types of pottery materialtypes of pottery materialTypes of clays and mud and their appearance, properties, reaction to fire, etc.copyright legislationcopyright legislationLegislation describing the protection of the rights of original authors over their work, and how others can use it.curriculum objectivescurriculum objectivesThe goals identified in curricula and defined learning outcomes.create sculpturescreate sculpturesCreate decorative sculptures by hand, using a variety of techniques and materials.assess conservation needsassess conservation needsAssess and list the needs for conservation/restoration, in relation to current use and planned future use.manage budgetsmanage budgetsPlan, monitor, report on the budget and prepare set production budgets.facilitate teamwork between studentsfacilitate teamwork between studentsEncourage students to cooperate with others in their learning by working in teams, for example through group activities.develop an artistic frameworkdevelop an artistic frameworkDevelop a specific framework for research, creation and completion of artistic work.use artistic materials for drawinguse artistic materials for drawingUse artistic materials such as paint, paintbrushes, ink, watercolours, charcoal, oil, or computer software to create artwork.create sketchescreate sketchesDraw sketches to prepare for a drawing or as a standalone artistic technique.monitor art scene developmentsmonitor art scene developmentsMonitor artistic events, trends, and other developments. Read recent art publications in order to develop ideas and to keep in touch with relevant art world activities.paint setspaint setsPainting set constructions and stage props.develop learning curriculumdevelop learning curriculumDevelop and plan the learning goals and outcomes for education institutions, as well as the required teaching methods and potential education resources. Organise content, form, methods and technologie...manage resources for educational purposesmanage resources for educational purposesIdentify the necessary resources needed for learning purposes, such as materials in class or arranged transportation for a field trip. Apply for the corresponding budget and follow up on the orders.develop artistic educational activitiesdevelop artistic educational activitiesDevelop speeches, activities and workshops in order to foster access and comprehension to the artistic creation processes. It can address a particular cultural and artistic event such as a show or an ...use digital illustration techniquesuse digital illustration techniquesCreate drawings using digital illustration programmes and techniques.perform image editingperform image editingEdit various types of images such as analogue and digital photographs or illustrations.keep personal administrationkeep personal administrationFile and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.use painting techniquesuse painting techniquesApply painting techniques such as 'trompe l'oeil', 'faux finishing' and aging techniques.operate a ceramics kilnoperate a ceramics kilnManage the temperature of a kiln to achieve the expected results according to the type of clay such as biscuit stoneware or porcelain. Manage sintering and enamels colours.present exhibitionpresent exhibitionPresent an exhibition and give educational lectures in a comprehensible way that is attractive to the public.gather reference materialsgather reference materialsGathering reference materials such as drawings, illustrations and sketches, in the process of creating a painting or sculpture.provide lesson materialsprovide lesson materialsEnsure that the necessary materials for teaching a class, such as visual aids, are prepared, up-to-date, and present in the instruction space.gather reference materials for artworkgather reference materials for artworkGather samples of the materials you expect to use in the creation process, especially if the desired piece of art necessitates the intervention of qualified workers or specific production processes.manage different ceramic firing techniquesmanage different ceramic firing techniquesManage different ceramic firing or baking techniques according to selected clay, the expect strength of the object, and enamel colours.participate in artistic mediation activitiesparticipate in artistic mediation activitiesParticipate in cultural and artistic mediation activities: announce the activity, give a presentation or talk related to a piece of art or an exhibition, teach a class or a group, lead artistic mediat...
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Frequently asked questions
What does a visual arts teacher do?
Visual arts teachers instruct students in various styles of visual arts, such as drawing, painting, and sculpting, in a recreational context. They provide students with an overview of art history, but primarily utilise a practice-based approach in their courses, in which they assist students to experiment with and master different artistic techniques, and encourage them to develop their own style.
What skills does a visual arts teacher need?
A visual arts teacher needs 24 essential skills, including instructional strategies, teach arts principles, consult students on learning content, develop a coaching style, prepare lesson content.
Will AI replace visual arts teacher jobs?
The AI disruption score for visual arts teacher is 16/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: keep personal administration, manage budgets, perform image editing. Most resilient: paint sets, encourage students to acknowledge their achievements, create sculptures.
AI Replacement Risk
16/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
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