Art Jobs in Atlanta: Where to Find Creative Work in the City

Atlanta’s arts scene has grown into one of the most dynamic in the Southeast. From film sets and design studios to galleries and public art projects, there are many types of art jobs in Atlanta—if you know where to look and how the local ecosystem works.

This guide walks through what kinds of art jobs exist in Atlanta, where they’re concentrated, and practical ways to find and land them.

The Big Picture: Atlanta’s Art Job Landscape

Atlanta’s creative economy blends traditional arts with media and entertainment. When people say “art jobs in Atlanta,” they’re often talking about roles in:

• Visual arts (fine art, illustration, murals, galleries)
• Design (graphic, UX/UI, motion, interior, fashion)
• Film & TV (costume, set design, props, scenic art, storyboard)
• Performing arts (theater, dance, music-related creative roles)
• Public art & community arts (murals, arts education, nonprofit work)

You’ll find opportunities spread across:

• Downtown & Midtown – museums, theaters, major arts institutions
• Castleberry Hill & West End – galleries, studios, mural projects
• Old Fourth Ward, Edgewood, Inman Park – creative agencies, design studios
• Buckhead & Perimeter – corporate design and marketing teams
• Metro area – film studios, production facilities, and education jobs

Common Types of Art Jobs in Atlanta

Visual Arts & Fine Arts

These jobs focus on making or supporting artwork itself:

• Studio artist / painter / sculptor
• Illustrator (editorial, book, advertising)
• Gallery assistant or manager
• Art handler / preparator (installing and moving artwork)
• Framer (custom framing shops)
• Museum technician (collections, exhibits support)

You’ll see many of these roles connected to:

• High Museum of Art – 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
• Atlanta Contemporary – 535 Means St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
• Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) – 1315 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
• Galleries in Castleberry Hill, Westside, and along Pryor St / Mitchell St downtown

Most fine art roles are a mix of freelance, part-time, and project-based work, often combined with teaching, design, or other income streams.

Graphic, Digital, and Product Design

Atlanta has a strong market for visual communication and digital design:

• Graphic designer / visual designer
• Brand designer / art director
• UX/UI designer
• Motion graphics designer
• Production artist (for print or digital assets)

These jobs appear in:

• Marketing and advertising agencies (often in Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, or Buckhead)
• Corporate in-house teams (healthcare, tech, finance, transportation)
• Startups and tech companies around Midtown, West Midtown, and the BeltLine

If you’re aiming at design jobs, employers often expect:

• A strong portfolio (website or PDF)
• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Cloud and, for digital, tools like Figma or Sketch
• Some understanding of brand systems and user experience

Film, TV, and Entertainment Art Jobs

Atlanta’s film and TV industry is a major employer for artists and makers.

Common art-related roles include:

• Production designer / art director
• Set designer / scenic artist / set dresser
• Prop maker / prop assistant
• Storyboard artist / concept artist
• Costume designer / wardrobe assistant
• Makeup artist / hair stylist (for production, not salon work)
• Graphic designer for props (signage, fake brands, on-screen graphics)

You’ll see activity around:

• Tyler Perry Studios – 315 Deshler St SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
• Trilith Studios – just outside the city in Fayetteville, GA
• Other production facilities across the metro area

These jobs are typically:

• Project-based or freelance
• Hired through production companies, unions, crew databases, and word-of-mouth
• Time-intensive, with long days during active shoots

Theater, Dance, and Performing Arts

Even if you’re not performing, there are behind-the-scenes art jobs in:

• Set design and construction
• Lighting and projection design
• Costume design and wardrobe
• Props and scenic painting
• Stage management and production support

Look to:

• Alliance Theatre – 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
• True Colors Theatre Company – administrative offices and production in Atlanta
• 7 Stages Theatre – 1105 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
• The Fox Theatre – 660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
• Aurora Theatre and other metro-area companies

Many theater jobs are seasonal or contract-based, with steady core staff plus additional project-specific crews.

Public Art, Murals, and Community-Based Work

Atlanta is known for its street art and murals, especially around:

• The Atlanta BeltLine
• Cabbagetown (Forward Warrior murals)
• Old Fourth Ward
• Downtown and South Downtown

Roles here might include:

• Muralist / assistant muralist
• Public art fabricator or installer
• Community arts coordinator
• Teaching artist (workshops, after-school programs)
• Program manager for arts nonprofits

You’ll often connect with:

• City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs
  233 Peachtree St NE, Suite 1700, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone: (404) 546-6815
• Fulton County Arts & Culture
  Southwest Arts Center: 915 New Hope Rd SW, Atlanta, GA 30331
• Neighborhood arts organizations and community centers

Art Education and Youth Programs

If you like teaching, Atlanta offers art-related roles in:

• K–12 schools (art teachers, paraprofessionals, after-school instructors)
• Colleges and universities (adjunct faculty, staff in art departments)
• Community centers and museums (workshop leaders, docents, education coordinators)

Look in and around:

• Atlanta Public Schools (APS) – 130 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Georgia State University – art and design programs downtown
• Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) – Atlanta campus
  1600 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
• Woodruff Arts Center education programs

Quick Reference: Where Art Jobs Show Up in Atlanta

How to Find Art Jobs in Atlanta

1. Use General Job Boards Strategically

Large job sites can be useful if you filter well:

• Search keywords like “graphic designer Atlanta,” “museum technician,” “production assistant art department,” “costume assistant,” “teaching artist Atlanta.”
• Add neighborhoods or “Midtown,” “Buckhead,” or “Downtown” when relevant.
• Set alerts with phrases like “Atlanta art jobs,” “creative coordinator,” “design intern,” “gallery assistant.”

Include remote-friendly roles based elsewhere if you’re open to working from Atlanta for non-local companies.

2. Check Atlanta-Area Institutions and Organizations Directly

Many arts organizations post jobs on their own “Careers” or “Work With Us” pages:

• High Museum of Art / Woodruff Arts Center
  Posting roles for museum staff, educators, designers, and production support.
• Alliance Theatre and other theaters
  Stage crews, costume shop, props, marketing design.
• City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs
  Occasionally lists public art, program coordinator, or seasonal roles.
• Universities and colleges (Georgia State, Georgia Tech for design, SCAD Atlanta, Emory)
  Post jobs for staff designers, gallery managers, and adjunct art instructors.

Checking these sites regularly is often more effective than waiting for listings to appear on large job boards.

3. Tap Into Film and TV Production Networks

For art-related film jobs in Atlanta:

• Look for “crew calls” or “casting and crew” notices focused on Georgia productions.
• Search for phrases like “Georgia film crew list,” “Atlanta production jobs,” “art department PA Atlanta.”
• Build relationships with:
  • Local prop houses
  • Set construction shops
  • Costume rental houses
• Attend industry meetups or open houses when studios or film alliances host them.

Expect a lot of referral-based hiring; once you prove yourself on a set, you’re more likely to be called again.

4. Connect With Local Arts Nonprofits and Service Organizations

Atlanta has several organizations that support artists through:

• Job postings
• Calls for art and mural projects
• Teaching and workshop opportunities
• Residency or grant announcements

Examples of places to monitor:

• Local arts councils (City of Atlanta, Fulton County)
• Community arts centers (e.g., Southwest Arts Center, neighborhood cultural centers)
• Artist resource organizations that serve metro Atlanta

These can lead to public art commissions, teaching gigs, and administrative roles in arts programs.

5. Use Social Media and Local Creative Communities

Atlanta’s art jobs often circulate via:

• Instagram – follow Atlanta-based:
  • Galleries
  • Murals projects
  • Theaters
  • Film crews
  • Nonprofits and small studios
• LinkedIn – search for:
  • “Art Director – Atlanta”
  • “Graphic Designer – Atlanta”
  • “Museum Coordinator – Atlanta”
  • Filter by location: Atlanta Metropolitan Area and On-site / Hybrid / Remote as needed.
• Creative communities and coworking spaces
  Spaces concentrated in Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, and West Midtown sometimes share job boards or host networking events.

Posting your own work and clearly stating you are “Atlanta-based and available for work” can attract local clients and employers.

Building a Portfolio That Works in Atlanta

Regardless of your specialty, you’ll need a solid, easy-to-navigate portfolio.

What Local Employers Expect

For visual / fine artists:

• Clear images of your work (good lighting, detail shots)
• Short descriptions (size, medium, year, brief context)
• Evidence of exhibitions, murals, or commissions in or around Atlanta, if you have them

For designers:

• Case studies that show:
  • Problem → your process → final solution
  • Role you played (solo, team, contractor)
• Atlanta-relevant work helps:
  • Projects for local businesses
  • Work related to Atlanta culture, events, or neighborhoods

For film / theater / public art:

• Behind-the-scenes shots, sketches, and final photos
• Clear captions:
  • Production name, role, year
  • What you were responsible for
• Indicate union status if applicable (important on larger productions)

Local Touches That Help

• Show that you understand Atlanta’s neighborhoods and audiences in your work (e.g., BeltLine-friendly mural concepts, brand designs that fit local businesses).
• If you’ve helped with Atlanta festivals, markets, or events, feature those prominently.

Education, Training, and Skill Building in Atlanta

You do not always need a degree, but training and local connections help.

Formal Education Options

• Georgia State University – Ernest G. Welch School of Art & Design
  Offers degrees in studio art, design, and art history.
• SCAD Atlanta
  Programs in illustration, animation, graphic design, production design, and more.
• Atlanta Technical College / Georgia Piedmont Technical College
  Some programs touch on design, media, or technical theater skills.

These can give you:

• Access to internships with local arts organizations
• Exposure to visiting professionals from Atlanta’s creative industries
• Portfolio-building assignments focused on real-world briefs

Short Courses, Workshops, and Community Programs

If a full degree isn’t what you need, look for:

• Workshops at local art centers – painting, printmaking, ceramics, photography
• Continuing education or certificate programs at nearby colleges
• Theater and film production classes (props, set design, costuming basics)
• Software workshops (Adobe, 3D tools, UX design basics)

Many Atlanta creatives build careers through a combination of workshops, self-teaching, and on-the-job learning, especially in film, murals, and graphic design.

Pay, Stability, and Lifestyle Considerations

When you’re planning an art career in Atlanta, it helps to be realistic about how work typically looks.

Employment Types You’ll See

• Full-time with benefits
  More common in:
  • Corporate design roles
  • Museum and institutional jobs
  • Larger nonprofit organizations
• Part-time or seasonal
  Common in:
  • Theaters
  • Festivals
  • Teaching roles
  • Visitor services at museums
• Freelance / contract / gig-based
  Especially common for:
  • Freelance designers and illustrators
  • Public art and murals
  • Film & TV crews
  • Event-based roles

Many Atlanta artists combine multiple streams: a part-time stable job plus freelance design, or teaching plus studio work.

Cost-of-Living and Commuting

Factors to consider in Atlanta:

• Commute times – Film sets and studios can be far from MARTA lines, so having reliable transportation helps for early call times or late shoots.
• Neighborhood choice – Some artists cluster in relatively more affordable or creative-heavy areas like:
  • West End
  • East Atlanta / Kirkwood
  • Westview
  • Parts of Southwest and South Atlanta
• Studio space – Shared studios or co-op spaces can be more budget-friendly than solo rentals.

When negotiating, clarify:

• Hourly vs. day rate vs. project fee
• Overtime expectations (especially on sets)
• Equipment or material reimbursements

Practical Steps if You’re Starting (or Restarting) in Atlanta

Here’s a simple roadmap you can follow from Atlanta right now:

1. Decide your core focus (e.g., graphic design, mural work, film art department, gallery work).
2. Update your portfolio with:
   • 8–15 of your best, most relevant pieces
   • Clear contact info and a note that you’re Atlanta-based
3. Create or refresh your LinkedIn and basic online presence.
4. List 10–20 Atlanta organizations that align with your focus:
   • Museums, theaters, agencies, studios, nonprofits, schools
5. Check their job/career pages weekly and set alerts with major job boards using “Atlanta” plus your job keywords.
6. Attend at least one local arts or networking event each month, such as:
   • Gallery openings in Castleberry Hill or Westside
   • Talks or events at the High Museum or MODA
   • Film or theater industry meetups
7. Tell people you’re available for work—peers, former teachers, coworkers, and local groups.
8. Start small if needed:
   • Volunteer at a festival
   • Assist on a low-budget production
   • Help install a show
     These can lead to paid roles once you prove your reliability.

When You Need Local Guidance or Support

If you want direct, Atlanta-specific help:

• City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs
  233 Peachtree St NE, Suite 1700
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone: (404) 546-6815
  Can provide information on city arts programs, public art opportunities, and cultural events.

• Fulton County Arts & Culture – Southwest Arts Center
  915 New Hope Rd SW
  Atlanta, GA 30331
  Phone: (404) 613-3220
  Offers arts programming, classes, and sometimes calls for artists.

• WorkSource Atlanta and Georgia Department of Labor Career Centers
  May help with job search skills, resume support, and training programs, including for creative careers.

By focusing on the specific types of art work you want to do and plugging into Atlanta’s existing arts networks, you can steadily find and grow art jobs in the city—whether you’re aiming for a full-time museum role, a freelance design practice, or a spot on the next big production’s art department.