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Things that turn art into a living

• Illustration work

  Editorial, book covers, packaging. Commercial clients pay invoices on time, which galleries often do not.

• Public art

  Cities and transit agencies run percent-for-art programs with real budgets. The applications are long and worth learning.

• A teaching credential

  A state teaching license turns art into a salaried job with health insurance and a pension.

• Digital skills

  Adobe Photoshop and drawing tablets open illustration, concept art and print-on-demand income.