Arts teachers make a valuable contribution to students lives. In Ohio, the state has made a commitment to arts education by adopting content standards that place visual arts as part of the core curriculum. The state has also developed a model K-12 arts curriculum, which focuses on artistic literacy, personal choice and vision, critical and creative thinking, and authentic application and collaboration in the arts. In Ohio, art teachers teach classes such as visual art, art appreciation, art history, design, crafts, drawing, painting, photography, and sculpture.
The Ohio Department of Education, governed by the state’s board of education, is responsible for licensing teachers in the state. To become licensed as an arts teacher in Ohio, complete the following steps:
 | Complete a Bachelor Degree and Teacher Prep Program |
 | Complete Testing |
 | Apply for a Certificate/License |
 | Maintain and Upgrade Your License |
 | Pursue Graduate Work |
Step 1. Complete a Bachelor Degree and Teacher Prep Program
The first step to becoming an arts teacher in Ohio is to earn a bachelors degree and graduate from an accredited teacher prep program. You can search for an approved program here.
Classes will vary by the institution you choose, but will include student teaching and a portfolio review component. Classes will also likely cover the history of art, various art making techniques (drawing, painting, etc.), the theory and principles of arts education, and learning how to create critical dialogue about the arts. More general teacher prep classes will cover the principles of effective teaching, learning how to create dialogue in the classroom, and, depending on the program, learning to teach the basics of reading, writing, and math. Admissions officers can tell you more about the application requirements for their programs, which may also include standardized testing.
Step 2. Complete Testing
Future arts teachers in Ohio are required to take the following tests as part of the Ohio Assessments for Educators. The Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) are provided by the Evaluation Systems Group of Pearson, and measure professional, pedagogical and subject-specific knowledge and skills.
- Pedagogy Assessment: 004 Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Multi-Age (PK–12)
- Content Assessment: 006 Art
The Assessment of Professional Knowledge: Multi-Age (PK–12) is a 3-hour computer-based test with 100 multiple-choice questions, one case study written assignment, and one written assignment. The fee is $105, and a passion score is 220. For test dates, locations, and test prep materials, see the Ohio Assessments for Educators website.
The Art content assessment is a 3-hour, computer-based test of 150 multiple choice questions. The fee is $105, and a passion score is 220. For test dates, locations, and test prep materials, see the Ohio Assessments for Educators website.
The main components of the Art content test, and the percent that each component counts toward your final score, are listed below:
- Foundations of Art: Elements and Principles – 11%
- IIArt Media, Tools, Technologies, Techniques, and Processes – 33%
- IIIVisual Arts in Historical and Cultural Contexts – 33%
- IVAesthetics and Art Criticism – 12%
- VConnecting the Visual Arts to Other Disciplines – 11%
Step 3. Apply for Your License
Visual Arts teachers in Ohio are licensed in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade inclusive (known as a multi-age license). For a detailed breakdown of the Ohio license codes and the classes they enable you to teach, see the dictionary here. The state has a four-tier system of licensure:
- Resident Educator License
- professional Educator License
- Senior Professional Educator License
- Lead Professional Educator License
If you have graduated from an in-state accredited teacher preparation program, the first license to apply for is the 4-Year Resident Educator License (those pursuing an alternate route should apply for Alternative 4-Year Resident license). In some cases, you may also apply for a provisional two-year license before earning your four-year license.
All first-time and renewal licensure applications must be completed online. The person who approves licenses at your school must be signed up as an electronic signer; instructions are available here. The application process will include a fee and a background check.
The 4-Year Resident Educator License is not renewable, but may be extended on a case-by-case basis.
Step 4. Maintain and Upgrade Your License
After successfully completing a 4-Year Resident program, you may apply for a Professional Educator license, which lasts for 5 years and is renewable. Before applying for this license, you must have completed the Ohio Resident Educator Program. You can apply online.
To renew the license, the following criteria apply if you are currently employed in an Ohio school. You must design an Individual Professional Development Plan, subject to the approval of the Local Professional Development Committee. The plan should be based on your needs, the needs of the students, the school and the school district, and be aligned with the professional educator standards adopted by the State Board of Education. You must also complete one of the following:
- six semester hours of coursework related to classroom teaching and/or art
- 18 continuing education units (CEUs) (180 contact hours)
- Other equivalent activities related to classroom teaching and/or art as approved by the Local Professional Development Committee of your employing school, district or agency
Note that coursework, CEUs, or other equivalent activities may be combined.
If you are not currently employed in an Ohio school, other criteria apply. You may apply to renew your license online.
The 5-year, renewable Senior Professional Educator License is issued to teachers who have earned an advanced degree, taught successfully for 9 years (at least 5 of those years under a Professional Educator License), and completed a Master Teacher Portfolio. You can apply for this license online.
The Lead Professional Educator license is issued to teachers who have met the requirements for the Senior license, and earned a Teacher Leader Endorsement. You can also substitute National Board Certification for the portfolio and endorsement. You can apply for this license online.
Step 5. Pursue Graduate Work
Graduate work is required in Ohio to move to higher levels of licensure. It can also expand your teaching skills, nurture your commitment to teaching, and may provide a salary bump. Four schools in the state offer graduate programs specifically designed for multi-age arts license. Options in the state include:
- Master of Arts in Art Education
- Master of Arts in Teaching, Concentration in Art or Music
- MA in Art History
- PhD in Art History
- MA in Art History and Museum Studies
- M.Ed. in Advanced Studies
- M.Ed. in Learning and Motivation
- MA in Learning and Motivation
- M.Ed in Reading
- M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction
Ohio Art Teacher Salaries
According to the National Education Association, the average starting salary for teachers in Ohio (as of the 2012-2013 school year) is $33,096, slightly lower than the national average of $36,141.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not provide data on art teacher salaries as a separate unit, but tracks salaries for elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers as larger categories. The department reports the following annual mean wages and employment numbers as of May 2013:
| Occupation Title | Employment | Annual Mean Salary |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | 50,870 | 57,970 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 27,030 | 59,770 |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School | 250 | 66,630 |
However, teacher salaries can vary significantly by location. A sample of the median salaries and employment figures as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for some major cities appears below:
| Occupation Title | Employment | Annual Mean Salary |
| Akron, OH | ||
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | 3,770 | 59,480 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 1,400 | 58,390 |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School | ** | 69,970 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | ||
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | 1,520 | 57,250 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 780 | 58,050 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 1,410 | 57,900 |
| Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN | ||
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | 8,760 | 56,510 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 5,350 | 59,840 |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School | 80 | 62,450 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 5,260 | 57,100 |
| Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor, OH | ||
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | 9,070 | 62,230 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 5,940 | 64,130 |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School | 50 | 80,540 |
| Columbus, OH | ||
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | 6,410 | 60,510 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 3,720 | 64,830 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 10,390 | 62,130 |
| Lima, OH | ||
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | 820 | 53,540 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 180 | 50,300 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 360 | 51,360 |
| Mansfield, OH | ||
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | 450 | 49,470 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 150 | 54,730 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 610 | 52,590 |
| Sandusky, OH | ||
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | 490 | 55,090 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 200 | 61,940 |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School | 70 | 70,840 |
| Springfield, OH | ||
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | 710 | 55,760 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | ** | 53,580 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 630 | 52,680 |
| Steubenville-Weirton, OH-WV | ||
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | 530 | 44,790 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 240 | 46,030 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | 190 | 37,900 |
| Toledo, OH | ||
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | 3,130 | 54,860 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 1,500 | 51,180 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 1,970 | 55,750 |
| Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA | ||
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | 2,130 | 54,340 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 1,240 | 57,010 |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School | ** | 59,220 |
Salary schedules vary by school district and are developed after negotiations with the union. Salary Data by school district for the State of Ohio may be found here.
Information on postsecondary art, music, and drama teacher salaries in various areas of the state can be found in the following table provided by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics: