Community artist
Also known as: artist in mediation, community & participatory artist, community dance artist, community arts worker, hospital clown, community dance practitioner
About this occupation
Community artists research, plan, organise and lead artistic activities for people brought together by a shared interest, capacity, environment or condition. They manage and coordinate creative projects with local groups and individuals to foster their artistic creativity and improve their quality of life. Community artists make the arts accessible to the community they work for, and provide opportunities for participants to shape their artistic programme.
Essential skills and knowledge
- intellectual property law
- direct community arts activities
- participate in artistic mediation activities
- manage participants' expectations
- labour legislation
- contextualise artistic work
- collaborate with stakeholders in leading community arts
- research your target community
- evaluate focus of community arts practice
- assess community arts programme resources
- define artistic approach
- develop a coaching style
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Artists and Related Workers, All Other (O*NET 27-1019.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
US median pay: US$71,240 a year (2025), 6,930 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.