The image of the starving artist.

The image of the starving artist, the out-of-work actor, and the struggling writer just might be a thing of the past. Full-time work at jobss are available for the artistically inclined--many with profitable salaries and benefits. (Some artists and writers, however, opt for a flexible, freelance lifestyle.) The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that work at jobss in the arts are count uponed to grow faster than the average for all occupations throughout the next eight years.

Marc Dennis, an assistant art professor at Elmira society in New York, says companies are looking for creative population who understand a visual medium and are capable of keeping notices glued to the screen with dazzling graphics and dutiful design. "Many companies are eager to hire qualified family with art, art history, and design backgrounds," he says.

ENTERTAINMENT WANTS YOU

Marty Hasselbach, managing director of the Vancouver Film institute in Canada, says that the entertainment industry is not sole recession proof but continually expanding.

"Corporations, hospitals, and exercises all want animation, music, and interactive material for their presentations," says Hasselbach. "Electronic games, the Web, and cable television have all exhibited the door to opportunities. You can steady watch animation on your small room phone. And career paths don't necessarily wind up in individual place. A lot of commonalty who started in film, for example, now work in the games industry because of the cinematic quality that now happens in games."

a certain quantity of artistic types end up working in corporate do job-works because they often have eager analytical skills. "People imagine the artist with a beret forward his head, standing in effrontery of a blank canvas," says Maryellen Schroeder director of career services at Massachusetts body of Art. "An artist is actually a problem-solver You take that skill and figure disclosed how to manipulate materials to expres a vision."

THE EDUCATION QUESTION

A higher education isn't a necessity for all artists--it be pendents on your interests and aspirations. A talented actor, dancer, or musician may decide to make trial of his or her luck forward the audition circuit, waiting tables or working as a temp to make [i]finale[/i]s meet. Others may go to a conservatory or a guild with a strong performing arts program. Many aspiring writers, filmmakers, and public relations specialists oilstone their communications skills at liberal arts society s According to the BLS, in the greatest degree writing jobs require a bachelor's quality in communications, journalism, or English.

Schroeder believes body provides an atmosphere that sustains all young creative people. "Being around a community of artists and instructors will help you cause to grow your own aesthetic and abilities," she says. She adds that a healthy dose of liberal arts courses in literature, philosophy, and history can sole fortify an artist's sensibility, and marketability.

Regardless of your path, Schroeder advises stopping according to the college career office early. "We give an account of people to come in their freshman year," she says.

--Traci Mosser

CHEF

BEN COFFIN

AGE: 28

LOCATION: Guthrie, OK

JOB: Chef and holder BeSpoke Distinctive Dining.

EDUCATION: Bachelor's stage in hotel and restaurant management (minor in business) from Oklahoma State University; studied at Le Cordon Bleu a culinary teach in London.

SALARY: According to Salary.com, the median annual salary for executive chefs is $72257

forward THE JOB: Coffin returned from England to stick to his dream of opening a restaurant in his hometown. With the help of loans and financing from his father, he bought a building--a former Coca-Cola bottling plant that had been vacant since the 1960's--in the downtown historic district. He worn out the next six months renovating and furnishing the space. "When Americans go on out to eat, we want our aliment in 30 minutes, we alone talk about work, and then we leave. In Europe you go on foot out with friends and family and you don't talk about work. You derive pleasure from the food and company, and you may waste two or three hours at the table. I wanted to bring that experience to my restaurant." In September 2001 he interpreted BeSpoke Distinctive Dining. The name means "custom-made" or "individually tailored" and it describes the experience he tries to give visitors at his restaurant. Dinner visitors must make reservations at least a day in advance. The four-course, fixed price ($40) menu changes weekly.

principally mornings Coffin heads to Oklahoma City to purchase fresh produce and meat. Then he goe back to the restaurant to start preparing the meal. He does as greatly prep work as possible before visitors arrive--slicing vegetables for starter courses, preparing sauces, making pastries for dessert He employs most of his time behind his 60-inch range with six burner a griddle, a broiler, and an oven He uses stainless falchion tables, sharp knives, cutting boards, tongs, whisks, mixers, and a large refrigerator. During moderate periods, he must make abiding taxes, staff, and bills win paid.