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Indigenous Art Instructor, Art Teacher, Craft Instructor
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Art instructors teach art history, art appreciation and the techniques and methods of artistic expression. Some work with students of all ages, while others work especially with children, adults or seniors. They may specialize in particular mediums, styles, or types of art such as:
Duties and responsibilities vary considerably in this occupation but, in general, art instructors:
They may also:
Art instructors may work in a variety of indoor or outdoor environments, ranging from their own homes to seniors' residences, summer camps, craft stores, galleries, school classrooms and community recreation centres. Art rooms are sometimes noisy and messy.
Instructors may teach primarily during the day, or they may offer evening and weekend classes.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Art instructors and teachers
2023 OaSIS: 53122.03
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
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Art instructors should enjoy teaching. They need:
They should enjoy encouraging and motivating students, and working with people of all ages and backgrounds.
Education, training and experience requirements vary depending on the level of teaching involved. However, most instructors have related post-secondary education, or have achieved a high degree of proficiency and recognition in a particular craft. Art instructors employed in schools must have a bachelor of education degree, or equivalent, as well as post-secondary education in art. Employment in a post-secondary school such as a college or university generally requires a graduate degree (master's or PhD) in fine art, or professional recognition as an artist.
Instructors of non-credit or community art classes should:
Self-employed instructors who work on a contract basis for schools and community groups, or those who offer their own independent classes, also need business skills.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Art and craft associations, guilds and post-secondary schools throughout Alberta offer introductory and advanced courses in a wide variety of arts and crafts. For current information about courses, please check post-secondary or community calendars or websites, or contact organizations associated with arts or crafts.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Most art instructors are self-employed or work on a contract basis for art or craft centres, adult education councils, art galleries, artist-run centres, museums, friendship centres or other community service agencies. They may teach from home or give lessons at schools, community centres, studios, galleries or craft stores.
Advancement opportunities vary depending on the employer and the qualifications of the art instructor. Self-employed instructors may open their own art galleries or craft stores, or become art agents or dealers.
Art instructors with sufficient post-secondary credentials as well as professional reputation may advance to art professor positions at colleges or universities.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Painters, sculptors and other visual artists
2016 NOC: 5136
82.0% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Many art instructors teach part time and spend the rest of their time working on their own artistic endeavours or in other occupations. Most are paid an hourly wage, which can vary depending on the employer and the program being taught. For small workshops, some instructors may be paid a percentage of the total class enrollment fees. Instructors may or may not be paid for the time required to prepare for classes.
Art instructors are part of the larger 2021 National Occupational Classification 53122: Painters, sculptors and other visual artists.
According to the 2023 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Painters, sculptors and other visual artists occupational group earned on average from $21.85 to $30.36 an hour. The overall average was $26.11 an hour. For more information, see the Painters, sculptors and other visual artists wage profile.
Cultural Human Resources Council (CHRC) website: www.culturalhrc.ca
Alberta Teacher’s Association – Fine Arts Council website: fac.teachers.ab.ca/Pages/Home.aspx
Alberta Community Art Clubs Association website: acaca.ab.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2021. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
