Post-secondary Art, Drama, and Music Teacher  What They Do

Just the Facts


Teaches courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

This career is part of the Education and Training cluster Teaching/Training pathway.


A person in this career:

  • Explains and demonstrates artistic techniques.
  • Evaluates and grades students' class work, performances, projects, assignments, and papers.
  • Prepares course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
  • Initiates, facilitates, and moderates classroom discussions.
  • Maintains student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
  • Prepares students for performances, exams, or assessments.
  • Prepares and delivers lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as acting techniques, fundamentals of music, and art history.
  • Plans, evaluates, and revises curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
  • Compiles, administers, and grades examinations, or assigns this work to others.
  • Keeps abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

  • You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
  • Work in this occupation involves using your hands to hold, control, and feel objects more than one-third of the time
  • Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
  • Work in this occupation involves sitting more than one-third of the time
  • Work in this occupation involves standing more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

  • Seeing clearly at a distance
  • Seeing clearly up close
  • Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
  • Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

  • Irregular hours
  • Overtime work

Specialty and Similar Careers

Careers that are more detailed or close to this career:

  • Art History Professor --
  • Art Instructor --
  • Art Professor --
  • Assistant Professor of Music --
  • Associate Professor --
  • Dance Professor --
  • Music Professor --
  • Professor --
  • Professor of Music --
  • Theatre Professor --