Overview
Creative arts professionals in state government use artistic and creative expertise to support public programs, enhance communication and improve the well-being of communities. They may provide art or dance therapy services, create visual materials through graphic design, capture and document public initiatives through photography or produce multimedia content that informs, educates and engages residents.
This work is ideal for individuals who enjoy creative problem-solving, visual storytelling, artistic expression and using their talents to make a positive impact through public service.
What You Might Work On
In state government, professionals in this field often:
- Use art (i.e., painting, music, dance) to provide therapeutic rehabilitation services in state-funded institutions
- Design graphics and products for state government agencies to use in digital and print materials
- Curate and/or manage art exhibits at state museums or historic sites
Is This a Good Fit?
While roles and responsibilities vary, you might enjoy this field if you:
- Prefer not to have a traditional desk job
- Want to grow your art or media portfolio
- Like teaching the arts to the public and specialized communities
Where You Could Work
State government is broad — so where do you start?
One approach is to focus on a type of role. Another is to focus on a mission area or the kind of impact you want to have (i.e., in public health, education, transportation or elsewhere).
Keep in mind: mission areas often span multiple agencies, so you may find relevant roles in places you wouldn’t expect!
Professionals in this field work across many state agencies depending on mission area, including:
- Art Therapy: California Department of State Hospitals
- Media Production: Maryland Public Television
- Public Art Management: Oklahoma Arts Council
Sample positions
Graphic Designer
| Employer / agency | Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority |
| Location(s) | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Mission context | Make Las Vegas the undisputed global destination for leisure and business travel. |
In this role, you may:
- Create designs for print advertising, billboards, digital media, signage, trade show booths, experiential activations, merchandise and marketing materials
- Translate complex data and ideas into clear, visually compelling graphics, including infographics, charts and animations
- Develop presentations that effectively communicate key messages through layout, hierarchy and typography that communicate key messages effectively
Videographer
| Employer / agency | Department of Central Management Services |
| Location(s) | Springfield, Illinois |
| Mission context | Support the state by delivering innovative, responsive and effective services that provide the best value for Illinois state government and the people it serves. |
In this role, you may:
- Perform statewide field productions and editing of news events as designated by the Governor’s Office, constitutional officers, elected officials, state agencies, boards and commissions
- Plan, direct, shoot and monitor the video production and duplication sections
- Serve as a liaison between the agencies and the news media regarding distribution of videos
- Assist the operations manager as assigned, serve as backup and support for other technicians during high-volume periods
Creative/Expressive Arts Therapist
| Employer / agency | Cherry Hospital – Department of Health and Human Services |
| Location(s) | Goldsboro, North Carolina |
| Mission context | Serve those with the greatest need and the fewest resources. |
In this role, you may:
- Use knowledge of the therapeutic creative/expressive arts therapy principles, techniques and methods and their application to the population being served
- Conduct creative/expressive arts therapy services to support mental health treatment plan
- Implement a variety of assessment methods to create individualized goals and interventions
- Evaluate and document client progress towards goals to present to interdisciplinary team meetings
- Integrate a philosophy of creative/expressive arts which is therapeutic in nature into a clinical program
