How to Become an Art Teacher
Written by:
Wilson College
• Sep 19, 2025
For students at every level, art class can be the highlight of their day. It’s an opportunity to express themselves, reflect, and hone skills they don’t often use in other classes. However, art classes aren’t just important because students like them. They’re also a vital part of students’ development.
In 2021, the Commission on the Arts gathered years of quantitative and qualitative research to support that assertion in its report Art for Life’s Sake. The report highlighted how art strengthens school culture, builds social intelligence, deepens appreciation for history and culture, and can even be a source of healing for students involved in the juvenile justice system.
For professionals who want to leverage their own passion for art in this impactful way, here’s how to become an art teacher along with information about how earning a Master of Education (MEd) can be an important part of the process.
What Does an Art Teacher Do?
Art teachers instruct students on the creation and appreciation of visual arts. While lessons often include hands-on projects in which students experiment with different media, such as drawing, photography, ceramics, and digital art, the curriculum can be much more in depth.
As students practice different mediums, art teachers may also discuss:
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Specific techniques
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History, art movements, and the significance of art in different cultures and eras
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How art can and has been used to convey emotions and ideas
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Art appreciation and analyzing works through different lenses
Art teachers often teach multiple grade levels at once, making the creation of a developmentally appropriate curriculum a key responsibility. For example, a painting lesson for young elementary school students might focus on the development of fine motor skills. When teaching painting to high school students, an art teacher might emphasize perspective, social context, and other higher-level concepts.
Steps to Become an Art Teacher
There are many paths to becoming an art teacher. Some professionals work in other art-related positions before transitioning into the classroom. However, the most straightforward path typically involves earning a bachelor’s degree in education along with a state-issued teaching certificate. This route also prepares art educators to pursue higher-level degrees and advance their careers.
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree and Complete Training Requirements
In many states, all teachers must typically have a bachelor’s degree to earn their teaching certification. Art teachers can prepare for their careers by earning a bachelor’s degree in education and either minoring in art or taking art-focused electives.
Professionals with bachelor’s degrees in other areas can become teachers, but teachers must usually complete a student teaching and training program before being eligible for certification. Bachelor’s degree programs in education typically include curriculum that fulfills this requirement while others do not. This means professionals with degrees in other areas may have to complete a separate training program before entering the classroom.
Step 2: Earn a State-Issued License or Certification
After earning a bachelor’s degree and completing all state-mandated training, future art teachers can apply for certification. However, certification levels and requirements vary by state, so it’s important to research local regulations.
For example, Pennsylvania offers teacher certification for multiple subjects. Aside from holding a bachelor’s degree and completing a teacher training program, including student teaching, future art teachers must pass:
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A General Knowledge test
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A Professional Knowledge test
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A Subject Area Knowledge test for art
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A background check
Once an applicant has taken these steps, they can teach art classes for pre-K to 12th grade students in Pennsylvania. They can teach in public, private, and charter schools.
Step 3: Consider a Master’s Degree and Pursue Career Advancement Opportunities
After becoming art teachers and gaining classroom experience, many professionals choose to pursue a Master of Education (MEd) degree. With classes on topics such as educational research, integrating technology into the classroom , and using complex pedagogies, MEd programs can help art teachers advance their careers in many different ways.
With an MEd, art teachers can:
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Improve their performance in the classroom
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Be more competitive candidates for art teacher positions at a wider range of schools
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Prepare for other positions such as art program administrator, curriculum specialist, or community arts program coordinator
Master’s degrees often take about two years to earn. However, MEd programs are often flexible and allow students to take anywhere from about 18 months to three years or more to earn their degree.
Art Teacher Salary
The median annual salary for art teachers was around $52,100 as of June 2025, according to the compensation website Payscale. Art teacher salaries can vary based on type of school, location, and level of experience. Payscale reports that the top 10% of art teachers earned close to $80,000, indicating that highly trained, experienced, and educated art teachers often have increased salary potential.
Take Your Career as an Art Teacher to New Heights
Through the MEd program at Wilson College Online, art teachers can learn new ways to leverage their passion to make an impact in their students’ lives. With asynchronous classes and a student-to-faculty ratio of 15-to-1, working teachers get both the flexibility and support they need to get the most out of their education.
The core curriculum is built around topics such as inclusive education, researched-based pedagogies, and current issues in education, giving students the resources they need to teach and design an effective art curriculum. Through self-designed Master’s Projects, students can home in on their specialties and areas of interest.
To find out about admission requirements and class options, request more information today.
Recommended Readings
How to Increase Your Teacher Salary in Pennsylvania
Tips for Teaching Diversity in the Classroom
What Are the Requirements to Earn a Master of Education?
Sources:
American Academy of Arts and Sciences, The Values of Arts Education
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Certificates in Pennsylvania Types and Codes
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, CSPG 31 - Art
