Art teachers help students to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding necessary to work in various fields of art, including drawing, sketching, painting in various mediums, papier maché, pottery and working with clay, craft work, model building, etc.
Art teachers work in schools, universities of technology, universities and colleges and plan lessons according to curricula. They prepare and assign class projects and evaluate the progress of students. They may organize trips to art museums or exhibitions and may also arrange exhibitions.
Art teachers at schools are required to attend staff meetings and other school functions and may be required to teach another school subject in addition to art.
Since art teachers work in different school systems, they may have a variety of work settings. Those who teach in poorer school systems may not have the equipment and facilities found in wealthier systems. Art teachers often work outside the classroom so their students can study nature or other environments.
Satisfying Aspects
- helping others to develop their artistic and creative talents
- good working hours
- being able to be creative during working hours
- having some time to practise art after hours
Demanding aspects
- motivating students
- not being able to spend more time on own artwork projects, paintings, etc
Requirements
An art teacher should:
- be able to get along well with others;
- have artistic ability;
- be creative;
- possess leadership ability;
- have the ability to motivate pupils;
- have manual dexterity and good eye-hand co-ordination;
- be able to visualise objects three dimensionally.
School Subjects
National Senior Certificate meeting degree requirements for a degree course
National Senior Certificate meeting diploma requirements for a diploma course
Each institution will have its own minimum entry requirements.
Compulsory Subjects: Visual Arts
Recommended Subjects: History, Languages
Training
Degree: BA Fine Arts - UFS, US, UJ, UNISA, Wits, RU.
Diploma: N.Dip: Art - CUT, DUT, VUT, TUT
Certain Teacher Training Colleges offer specialist training for art teachers.
Art courses or attending a school for ballet, art and music are also recommended
Employer
- public and private school systems
- universities, universities of technology and colleges
- self-employed, with own studio and students or doing freelance work
www.nac.org.za