VOLUME 9 - NUMBER 2 - How COVID-19 Has Impacted the Needed Skills of Arts Graduates

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Sarah

The report examines how the COVID-19 pandemic changed the skills arts alumni need for their work and how those skills were developed during their degree programs. It highlights large, persistent gaps between skills acquired in arts education and those alumni say they require, especially in financial and business management, entrepreneurial abilities, and networking. During the pandemic, alumni relied more on technology for remote and digital collaboration, and on social-emotional and interpersonal skills in the absence of physical togetherness.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time15 min

AccessFree to download

How the needed skills emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic for arts alumni

Skills gaps between institution and job requirements

Increased demand for financial, entrepreneurial, and networking skills

Growth of technological skills

Strengthened interpersonal and collaborative skills

MENU VOLUME 9 , NUMBER 2 How COVID-19 Has Impacted the Needed Skills of Arts Graduates We expect that arts graduates will emerge from their degree programs having developed skills that they will need and use throughout their careers. However, to succeed in a constantly changing world, alumni need to continue developing and refining both arts and non-arts skills. A past SNAAP annual report showed the spread of sixteen skills and abilities that alumni might acquire or develop while enrolled at their institution, comparing those to the skills and abilities that alumni say are important for their work. The three largest gaps in the skills that alumni need and those they use are for financial and business management skills, entrepreneurial skills, and networking and relationship building. In each case, alumni reported the skill as more important for their work, compared to how much of it they acquired or developed at their educational institution. Largest Gaps* Between Skills Artists Acquired or Developed at Their Institution and Those They Need for Their Job (2015 – 2017) *Percentage difference between those who said skill was “very important” or “somewhat important” for their work and those who acquired “very much” or “some” We have learned that arts graduates develop and acquire skills through coursework, internships, and a wide range of co-curricular activities while at their educational institutions. However, skill acquisition is not evenly distributed among arts alumni. A SNAAP DataBrief that examined differences in acquiring entrepreneurial skills by major reports that overall, just 26% of arts graduates acquire these skills (“very much” or “some”), ranging from 63%(arts administration majors) to a low of 18%(art history majors). Additional research using SNAAP data indicates t~~hat ~~skill acquisition and needs differ by employment type; arts alumni who founded their own arts organization have differing needs and use for skills in finance and business management skills and in entrepreneurial skills compared to freelancers. Increased focus on addressing precarity in artistic careers through business and entrepreneurial skills has shaped research, curricular development, and programming for arts majors and arts graduates. New uncertainties and realities during the COVID-19 pandemic may further contribute to different skills needed for arts careers. HOW DID THE NEED FOR AND DEVELOPMENT OF SKILLS EMERGE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC FOR ARTS ALUMNI? Arts alumni pursued and refined a variety of skills during the pandemic. Among these skills were an increased need for the kinds of financial and business management, entrepreneurial, and networking skills that are well-established in past SNAAP research. The ability to successfully plan and implement the business side of artistic work, particularly in a time when established organizations and clients may have cancelled or delayed work, is essential. Some alumni used these skills to transform their existing employment into more flexible and lucrative freelance work while others started new ventures. However, networking skills were more difficult to use and develop given social distancing and cancellation of events and opportunities. Aside from these established skill needs, two broad categories of skill emerged as increasingly relevant compared to pre-pandemic artistic work: technological skills and skills related to interpersonal relationships and working collaboratively. New and enhanced technological skills were essential in responding to social distancing requirements, and arts graduates quickly adapted to new obligations to work remotely and digitally. Technological skills were already a requisite for arts alumni. However, this was magnified during the pandemic, with technology mediating interpersonal interactions, work, and making or performing art to a degree not previously experienced. Arts alumni used technology in new ways to make and market their

FAQs

What are the biggest skill gaps for arts alumni between education and job needs?

The largest gaps involve financial and business management skills, entrepreneurial skills, and networking and relationship building. Alumni reported these skills were more important for their work than how much they acquired or developed in their programs.

How did the pandemic change the types of skills that became more relevant?

Beyond established areas, two broad categories grew in relevance: technological skills and skills related to interpersonal relationships and working collaboratively. Both became more critical due to social distancing and increased remote work.

Why were networking skills harder to develop during COVID-19?

Networking was more difficult because social distancing, cancellation of events, and reduced opportunities limited in-person interactions. Alumni had to rely more on digital connections while also managing “Zoom fatigue.”

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Sarah