Art in Wellness Career
Here’s a more down-to-earth look at how you can blend your art background with a passion for wellness. These ideas might spark something for you—feel free to adapt them to fit your personal style, goals, or the communities you want to serve.
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1. Art TherapyWhy it’s awesome:
Ever felt the calming effect of doodling or painting when you’re stressed? That’s the premise behind art therapy. You guide people through creative projects that help them express emotions, work through trauma, or simply find a bit of peace in life.
What you’d need:
- A master’s degree in art therapy or a related field (depending on where you live).
- Some sort of credential or license (like ATR-BC in the US) if you’re doing clinical work.
- Hospitals, mental health clinics, schools, or your own private practice.
- It varies depending on location and experience, but many art therapists start around $40,000–$70,000 a year in the US. With more experience, you can move up.
2. Expressive Arts TherapyWhy it’s awesome:
This takes the idea of art therapy a step further by including multiple art forms—visual arts, dance/movement, music, drama, and writing. If you love to experiment with different creative outlets, this might be your jam.
What you’d need:
- Again, typically a master’s or post-grad certificate in something like expressive arts therapy.
- Usually a counseling or therapy license, depending on your local regulations.
- Similar settings as art therapy: schools, clinics, wellness programs, rehab centers, or private practice.
3. Wellness Coach (with an Artistic Twist)Why it’s awesome:
Coaching focuses on helping people reach personal goals. When you bring art into the mix—say, by using drawing exercises to explore emotions or creative projects to set life goals—you add a unique flair that sets you apart from traditional coaches.
What you’d need:
- A wellness or health coach certification.
- Solid communication skills and a real passion for helping others.
- Freelance, corporate wellness programs, yoga studios, or wellness retreats.
- Completely depends on how you price your sessions or packages. Coaches can charge anywhere from $50 to $200+ per session, or you might offer workshops and group programs.
4. Mindfulness or Meditation Instructor (Creative Edition)Why it’s awesome:
Picture guiding people through meditations that involve painting, journaling, or simply coloring to quiet the mind. It’s a fresh approach to mindfulness.
What you’d need:
- A mindfulness or meditation teacher training (like MBSR).
- No rigid licensing in most places, but credentials add credibility.
- Wellness centers, corporate environments, yoga studios, or hosting your own sessions online.
- Depending on where and how you teach, you can charge by class, put on retreats, or even sell digital courses.
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5. Healing Space DesignerWhy it’s awesome:
Have an eye for color and a love for how art affects mood? You could design or curate art for hospitals, clinics, senior centers, or spas—basically any place that aims to soothe people and support healing.
What you’d need:
- A background in art or design plus an understanding of how environments impact well-being (there’s a concept called “evidence-based design” in healthcare).
- Architecture or design firms, hospitals, or as a freelance consultant.
- Often starts in the $50,000–$90,000 range in the US, but it can climb higher with experience and the right clientele.
6. Art & Wellness Workshop FacilitatorWhy it’s awesome:
This one’s pretty open-ended. You can lead paint nights aimed at stress relief, collage sessions for self-reflection, or even group mural projects for team bonding. The idea is to use art as a tool for connection, relaxation, and personal growth.
What you’d need:
- Strong group facilitation skills and a knack for teaching art in a fun, supportive way.
- No formal license required, unless you’re going into clinical therapy territory.
- Corporate team-building events, wellness retreats, local art studios, or community centers.
- You can charge per workshop or per hour. Rates vary by region, but corporate gigs can pay well.
7. Creative Journaling InstructorWhy it’s awesome:
Journaling already helps people process emotions and organize thoughts. By adding art—like doodling, painting, or collaging—you turn a simple notebook into a powerful mindfulness tool.
What you’d need:
- Creativity and a passion for journaling.
- Good communication and group leadership skills.
- Freelance in workshops, private lessons, or online courses.
- Partner with wellness centers or community groups.
- It depends on how you structure your offerings—one-on-one sessions, group classes, retreats, or digital products like e-courses.
8. Community Arts & Wellness Program CoordinatorWhy it’s awesome:
If you enjoy planning, organizing, and supporting your community, this job might be for you. You’d oversee arts-based wellness events, partner with local organizations, and bring people together through creativity.
What you’d need:
- Some experience in arts administration or nonprofit work.
- A heart for community-building.
- Nonprofits, city arts councils, senior centers, educational institutions, or social service agencies.
- Salary can be modest to mid-range ($35,000–$65,000), but the opportunity to make a direct impact can be huge.
9. Digital Creator (Art & Healing Content)Why it’s awesome:
Think YouTube videos on art therapy techniques (without crossing professional lines), Instagram tutorials on mindful sketching, or a blog about how to use doodling for self-care. If you love social media and creating content, this might be your calling.
What you’d need:
- Basic video editing or blogging skills.
- Creativity in how you package art activities and share wellness tips.
- As a self-employed creator.
- Partnerships with wellness brands, online platforms, or community groups.
- Income may come from ads, sponsorships, branded deals, digital product sales, or membership platforms like Patreon.
Making It Happen
- Learn the Basics of Mental Health: Even if you aren’t a licensed therapist, understanding how trauma and stress impact people will help you create safe, respectful experiences.
- Communication Is Key: Whether you’re hosting workshops or posting content online, being able to talk about art and wellness in a relatable, empathetic way will help you connect with your audience or clients.
- Stay Open to Collaboration: Team up with therapists, yoga instructors, nutritionists—anyone who complements your skill set. Collaboration can help you reach new audiences.
- Promote What Makes You Unique: Maybe you specialize in watercolor, or you have a knack for journaling prompts, or you incorporate dance and movement. Lean into your creative passions to stand out.
- Keep Learning: The wellness world and art world both keep evolving. Stay curious, keep refining your craft, and explore the latest research or trends to keep your offerings fresh.
In a nutshell: If you have a passion for helping others and a flair for creativity, there’s a whole range of paths to explore. Whether you become a credentialed art therapist, host relaxing paint-and-sip nights, or design cozy healing environments, your artistic gifts can bring a real sense of hope, comfort, and self-discovery to people who need it. And that’s a pretty cool way to make a living.
WSQ Acrylic Painting workshop AVAILABLE. Click to see more
10 Lessons Masterclass training to improve your skills. Click to see more