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Artist Manager: Job Description, Salary, & Job Openings 2022

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An artist manager has a lot of influence over their clients, who are typically in unique positions of power.

Managing an artist might sound like a lot of fun if you enjoy pop culture and are good with people.

Before you decide on something so life-changing, it’s a good idea to learn more about the position and its possibilities.

In this article, we’ll talk about what an artist manager is, what it takes to become one, and who might be a good fit for the job.

What Is an Artist Manager?

An artist manager works with talent-focused individuals in different industries, like music or filmmaking. The artist manager is in charge of:

  • Booking appointments
  • Managing commitments
  • Ensuring clients get paid
  • Marketing and merchandising  

What Is an Artist Manager Called?

A few different names know an artist manager.

The artist manager’s name might depend on the industry or what the manager prefers.

You might hear:

  • Talent manager
  • Band manager
  • Music manager

What Does an Artist Manager Do?

An artist manager is in charge of all the professional career advice and guidance for individuals within the entertainment industry.

Artists rely on their managers to build a successful career.

Artist managers do everything from planning charitable events to booking tours and planning release dates.

Artist Manager Job Description

The artist manager has many different daily tasks, which often vary depending on individuals’ needs and preferences.

Some of the primary jobs include:

  • Booking tours
  • Securing payment for the client
  • Managing marketing
  • Scheduling events
  • Planning release of films, books, etc.

Top Artist Manager Jobs and Careers

An artist manager is responsible for more than the career of their client.

They are also responsible for many of an artist’s day-to-day life.

The three main jobs of an artist manager include:

  1. Planning marketing
  2. Scheduling events
  3. Securing payment

Planning Marketing

One of the chief jobs of the talent manager is to plan marketing and merchandising for their clients.

Scheduling Events

Another important role for the artist manager is scheduling events.

They are in charge of lining up tours, charity programs, autograph signing opportunities, record release parties, and anything related to their client’s work.

Securing Payment

Without the help of an artist manager, getting paid can create quite a headache.

Artist managers secure payments from different agencies and businesses that utilize each client’s talent.

Where Can an Artist Manager Work?

Artists managers can work anywhere as long as they are in constant or near-constant contact with their clients.

If you like to travel and enjoy working from the road, you will probably enjoy this aspect of the talent manager position more than anything else.

Is Being an Artist Manager Hard?

Being an artist manager is time-consuming and stressful if you aren’t good at managing your schedule.

However, it can also be a lot of fun if you enjoy a face-paced work environment and like working closely with people.

Is an Artist Manager’s Job Stressful?

You might find the job of an artist manager stressful.

It takes time, energy, and mental acuity to stay on top of someone else’s schedule and career plan.

However, the career can also be gratifying and fun.

Common Artist Manager Work Day

Although every talent manager and client situation is unique, there are some commonalities between what every artist manager must do for their clients daily.

A work day usually consists of:

  • Communicating with clients
  • Managing requests for client appearances
  • Balancing budgets
  • Reviewing marketing materials
  • Meeting with interested parties
  • Speaking with the press
  • Traveling

Artist Manager Tasks & Duties

You probably have a good idea of the tasks and duties of an artist manager, but here are the ones we’ve discussed so far for you to review:

  • Booking appointments
  • Managing commitments
  • Shaping a client’s long-term career
  • Orchestrating career-long expectations
  • Ensuring clients get paid
  • Marketing and merchandising
  • Communicating with clients
  • Managing requests for client appearances
  • Balancing budgets
  • Reviewing marketing materials
  • Meeting with interested parties
  • Speaking with the press
  • Traveling

Artist Manager Work Hours & Schedule

As an artist manager, you will likely have very little time off.

The time you spend at work will consume most of your day.

If you’re a homebody, you might find the artist manager’s work life demands taxing.

Artist Manager Dress Code

It’s possible to be an artist manager and dress casually when not meeting people.

However, artist managers typically dress for business.

Does This Career Field Embrace Work/Life Balance?

The main problem with the artist manager’s career field is the work/life balance.

Most of your time as an artist manager will be spent working.

Your time at home is usually infrequent and short.

This might make it challenging to feel like you have much of a life outside work.

Do Artist Managers Make Good Money?

Most artist managers make good money.

If you have reasonable clients who value your time and appreciate how hard you work, you will probably make more money than any of your friends.

How Much Do Artist Managers Make?

On average, artist managers make about $90,000 per year.

That number is not including bonuses and gifts that artist managers typically receive.

The top 10% of artist managers in America make over $180,000 a year, while the bottom 10% make closer to $42,000 per year.

Artist Manager Field: Career Progression

As an artist manager, you’ll probably start by working for a big corporation.

These jobs are typically entry-level and get you the experience you need to move forward.

Once you have more experience and a few years, you can work your way up to higher positions.

Is an Artist Manager a Good Career?

If you don’t mind the hours and enjoy traveling, scheduling, and generally managing people and responsibilities, you will find that being an artist manager is an excellent career.

Artist Manager Job Outlook

The position of an artist manager is on an upward trend and has been for the last several years.

Now is an excellent time to enter the industry if you think you have what it takes to be an artist manager.

Demand for Artist Managers

The demand for talent managers in the entertainment industry has risen dramatically over the last ten years.

Artist Manager Facts

Artist manager jobs are in almost constant demand.

Artists and entertainers need managers to help them build a career and manage the daily activities that their fame demands.

Managing the occupation of a famous person can be equally stressful and rewarding.

Jobs Related to Artist Manager

If you’re interested in a job similar to an artist manager position, but you don’t want to be an artist manager, consider one of the following career opportunities:

  • Public Relations
  • Marketing
  • Studio Manager

Public Relations

In Public Relations, you deal with the public image of your client.

The most significant difference is that your clients will not be in the entertainment industry.

You could do PR for a firm, company, government employees, or several other fields.

Marketing

A lot of what artist managers do is marketing.

In marketing, you sell your or your company’s idea to the public and generate revenue through sales and advertising opportunities.

Studio Manager

If you’re interested in film or music but don’t want to manage individuals, you could consider managing a studio.

You would have a lot of organizational responsibilities but your scope would be much broader.

Who Should Consider an Artist Manager Career Path?

You should consider a career in artist management if you are:

  • Capable of organization and scheduling
  • Highly skilled at managing a budget
  • Excellent at communication and meeting deadlines
  • Interested in the entertainment industry
  • A people person

Who Should NOT Consider an Artist Manager Career Path?

You should probably not consider becoming an artist manager if you:

  • Struggle with high anxiety
  • Enjoy your time at home more than your time at work
  • Aren’t a fan of traveling
  • Prefer to work on your own instead of working closely with individuals

Is it Hard to Become an Artist Manager?

As long as you have the right mindset, becoming an artist manager is not hard.

You can start at an entry-level position with a corporation and work your way up.

What Do I Need to Become an Artist Manager?

You might be wondering now if you have what it takes to be an artist manager.

The job is about more than knowing music or movies or sports.

There are some critical skills you should have as well.

Requirements for Becoming an Artist Manager?

You don’t necessarily need a degree to become an artist manager, but you need good credentials.

The best way to ensure this is to start with a management firm at an entry-level position.

What Skills Does an Artist Manager Need?

Some of the critical skills you need as an artist manager include:

  • Honesty
  • Integrity
  • Communication
  • Scheduling
  • Financial literacy
  • Drive
  • High energy
  • Passion for entertainment

What Education Does an Artist Manager Need?

If you have a degree in the music business, management, marketing, or public relations, you will do well as an artist manager.

Can You Become an Artist Manager Without a Degree?

You can become an artist manager without a degree.

It helps if you start at a management company and work your way up.

What Experience Does an Artist Manager Need?

The main piece of experience that a good artist manager needs is practice managing people and sticking to deadlines.

What Is Taught in an Artist Manager Course?

Depending on the course you take, you will learn:

  • How to negotiate
  • How to direct the artist’s team
  • How to set up events
  • Etc.

How Long Does an Artist Manager Course Take?

A course in artist management could take anywhere from six weeks to one year, depending on your program and the pace you set.

Artist Manager Education Options and Degree Programs

The main degrees that you can earn in artist manager education programs include:

  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • Master’s Degree

Depending on your chosen program, your degree will likely be in music management or another arts-related management field.

Schools for Artist Managers

Several different schools in America offer artist management programs, both in person and online.

Steps to Become an Artist Manager

To become an artist manager:

  • Earn your degree
  • Gain valuable intern experience
  • Start at a management company

Current Career Job Openings

Here are the current job openings for anyone interested in artist management.

Frequently Asked Questions

Now let’s examine some frequently asked questions about an artist manager’s career.

How is an artist manager paid?

An artist manager is usually paid with a fixed income and by commission.

Some managers will work for a variable rate.

Can an artist have two managers?

There is no limit to how many managers an artist can have.

Wrapping Up

The artist manager career path is an increasingly appealing way to get involved in the entertainment industry.

If you’re interested in a career as an artist manager, you should check out an online program or consider applying to a management agency.

If you want to learn more about artist manager careers, click here.

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