What is an art model and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

An art model is an individual who poses for any artist as part of the creative process, serving as a visual reference for the human figure in the artwork. They often serve as muses that inspire the work of art. Art models work for figure drawing, figure painting, sculpture, and photography. However, they can be used in any medium of art. An art model works part-time. The art model works anonymously and is usually unacknowledged in the final work.

Art Models are often employed by art classes, an informal group of artists, or privately by professional artists. The pay for art models varies, but they make an average of $48,335 annually and about $20 per hour. Art Models became vital when it was considered the most effective way to draw human figures from living models.

ScoreArt ModelUS Average
Salary
7.1

Avg. Salary $90,336

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
1.3

Growth Rate 9%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
8.6
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.41%

Asian 7.03%

Black or African American 14.26%

Hispanic or Latino 15.19%

Unknown 8.18%

White 54.93%

Gender

female 68.09%

male 31.91%

Age - 42
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42
Stress Level
1.3

Stress level is low

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
2.5

Complexity Level is basic

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
10.0

Work Life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an art model

  1. Explore art model education requirements

    Most common art model degrees

    Bachelor's

    66.0 %

    High School Diploma

    14.0 %

    Associate

    14.0 %
  2. Start to develop specific art model skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Fine Arts81.94%
    Human Form10.26%
    Animation7.80%
  3. Research art model duties and responsibilities

    • Manage pre-event preparations; POS merchandising and engages potential customers at events.
    • Work with radio stations and various companies using giveaways, coupons, displays, and free samples.
    • Maintain excellent customer relations and develop customer awareness of new products in the Diageo portfolio.
    • Work with the art instructor to display props and layouts.
  4. Prepare your art model resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your art model resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an art model resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Art Model Resume templates

    Build a professional Art Model resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Art Model resume.
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  5. Apply for art model jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an art model job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Art Model Job

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Average art model salary

The average Art Model salary in the United States is $90,336 per year or $43 per hour. Art model salaries range between $29,000 and $280,000 per year.

Average Art Model Salary
$90,336 Yearly
$43.43 hourly

What Am I Worth?

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How do art models rate their job?

-/5

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Art Model reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2022
Pros

Freedom to schedule. Seeing artists grow their abilities


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A zippia user wrote a review on May 2020
Pros

What I like the most about working as nude model is you get to let everything

Cons

The one thing I do like the customer service and of course Getting bitten by bugs


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A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020
Pros

It is forced meditation. If you won't give yourself time to rest, modeling for art will... The people with whom you work are wonderful and appreciative. It's special when they have a real breathing human to draw, vs. a vase or bowl of fruit. There are many more females than males modeling nude, so consider that if you're a guy considering it.

Cons

It can get chilly in the room, sometimes. And there's not enough work. Usually there are only a few activities a week in the community that use models. But, there's little competition -- especially for the males, as mentioned.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.