Creative Careers Are Real: Montserrat’s Creative Employment Initiative

From Studio to Strategy: Launching Your Professional Life Through the Creative Employment Initiative (CEI)

The myth that artists can’t make a living is outdated. At Montserrat, we are committed to ensuring that our graduates transition successfully from the college studio into a sustainable and fulfilling creative career.

Our commitment to this goal is formalized through the Creative Employment Initiative, our comprehensive, four-year program designed to guarantee that every student leaves with the necessary professional tools and experience.

What is the Creative Employment Initiative?

The Creative Employment Initiative is an integrated, required program built into your BFA curriculum, focusing on three core pillars:

1. Professional Practice: Courses across all four years teach the “business of art.” This includes training on pricing your work, writing contracts, managing finances, networking etiquette, and how to file taxes as an independent contractor or freelancer.
2. Internship Experience: The CEI requires all students to complete an internship. This gives you hands-on experience in a professional setting, whether that’s an animation studio, a design firm, an art museum, or a gallery. These experiences can often lead directly to post-graduation jobs.
3. Portfolio Review and Mentorship: In your senior year, the CEI organizes professional portfolio reviews where you present your work to visiting industry leaders, potential employers, and alumni. This is a chance to practice pitching your skills and to gain professional-level feedback.

Your Career is Part of Your Curriculum

Career readiness isn’t an elective at Montserrat—it’s central to your education. We connect you with a vast network of alumni who are working professionals, bringing their real-world insights back to campus through workshops and critiques.

We are dedicated to proving that a creative career is not just possible, but achievable with the right strategy and skills.

Want to know more? Visit our Center for Career Design & Creative Enterprise