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Ten Tips for Success in the Art World
1. Set yearly, five year, and ultimate career goals. The
goals that you plan are a road map for your career. Be realistic but at the
same time don't be afraid to dream about your goals. Be prepared to change and
re-prioritize your goals as different opportunities arise.
2. Be committed to realizing your goals. You have to believe
in your work and yourself; you have to love what you are doing and be
persistent. Sometimes the day-to-day details are the hardest ones to take care
of, such as updating your resume, photographing your work, or keeping accurate
records of your inventory. These are also some of the most important tasks to
stay on top of.
3. Understand where your work fits into the market. Read and
analyze a variety of arts related journals, books, and newsletters to find out
where the audience is for your work. When you approach galleries and museums,
do your homework ahead of time so that you know what type of work they are
interested in exhibiting.
4. Document your work and career. Always photograph all of
your work and have a labeled record of every piece you have created. This means
producing good slides of each piece. Good slides are professional and in focus.
I have seen many portfolios that have had dark, out of focus pictures that were
shot in the backyard. Also keep a clean copy of every article about you and
your work in a notebook that can be reproduced. This book, which should have
your master slide list along with any press you garner, becomes your bible.
5. Work with your own mailing list. A mailing list is one of
the most important tools you have in front of you. Every professional artist I
have worked with has an active mailing list that they have accumulated over the
years. Your mailing list is made up of five elements: collectors/interested
people; museum directors/curators/staff; gallery dealers/staff; arts
writers/media; arts professionals like grant writers, etc. Send out postcards
to this list at least three times a year.
6. Find role models and mentors. When I was running a
gallery ten years ago, I picked out several other dealers who were successful,
got to know them, and then found out how they structured their business. A
mentor can be a businessperson you admire or an artist that has succeeded on a
level that you want to reach.
7. Network with your peers. Set up salons or critical
discussion groups. Use your peers as an arena for feedback on your work and
career. Knowledge of other opportunities is very important to artists.
8. Be a visible participant in the art world. Go to
lectures, openings, and arts events that pertain to your work. Introduce
yourself to dealers, curators, collectors, and critics. Museum curators like to
see artists at their events and appreciate the support. If your specialty is
printmaking, let the local college or museum know that you are available for
demonstrations or talks about your specialty.
9. Make efforts to promote your work. Consider donations to
charitable organizations, auctions, museum collections, and fund-raisers. Join
and participate in arts related organizations and exhibit at juried/alternative
spaces. Get invited to invitational shows. Consider local and national
advertising either on your own or with your gallery.
10. Secure appropriate representation at each stage of your career.
Consider several galleries around the country to build up a large collector
base, advertising opportunities, and varied critical attention. Have a clear
understanding of how much work you can produce in a year.
All
of these tips are to help you become clear about what you want. Remember:
exposure equals success for artists.
