Painful Art Career Lessons I Learned Early in My Career – Don’t Make These Mistakes

As a young “Artrepreneur” I was eager to build my resume, so I pursued many different opportunities to gain art career experience, credentials and connections in the New York art world.  Most of my experiences were positive and laid a strong foundation for what turned out to be a rewarding career as an artist mentor/coach, curator, author and art magazine owner. However, because I lacked the business knowledge I have now, I jumped into some precarious situations. Now I’m grateful for the painful art career lessons I endured early in my career. They helped me grow professionally and avoid future pitfalls. My wish is that you learn something from my missteps and avoid making similar ones.

Painful Experience #1

After I had launched an art organization “Artopia”, an events planner for a celebrity-studded night club invited me to organize an art exhibition in the lobby. I seized this as a valuable opportunity to promote myself and fellow artist members. I spent months visiting artists’ studios in order to curate, organize and promote the exhibition. I mailed thousands of invitations to individuals, businesses, galleries, and members of the press. I did such a great job that the night of the event, there was a line of people around the block waiting to get in.

Unbeknownst to me, the event planner made an agreement with the club owners to get paid based on attendance. He made false promises to me so that I would help him get a large attendance.

The night of the party, when I walked into the club, I was shocked to see several of the works of art missing. I soon found out that the two club owners got high on cocaine and at the last minute decided to remove some of the art they didn’t like.

I suffered this painful mistake because I trusted the party planner. I assumed because he had organized many major events he was reputable and honest. Although he approved my art selections before the event, I failed to insist on meeting with the owners and get a signed agreement. My regret is, because of my negligence, I let down several artists and risked my professional reputation.

Lessons Learned: Do Research and Get Protection

• Before you agree to a project, make sure you’re negotiating directly with the owners/CEOs.
• When you’re representing other individuals in an agreement, take measures to protect them in addition to having written agreements with all parties.
• When there are items that require approval, obtain signed, contractual documents, accompanied by all visual materials and factual details.
• If the appropriate person(s) will not sign the agreement, have the courage to walk away.
• Conduct a thorough background check on people before you enter a business relationship with them.
• Remember that an opportunity that may appear ideal on the surface could become disastrous if you’re not dealing with reputable business people.
• Seek legal counsel for important art projects. Obtain services through your arts council or find attorneys who assist artists on a pro bono basis or for a reduced fee.
• Invest in business and legal advice throughout your career when necessary.

Painful Experience #2

I was freelancing as an arts writer for a few publications when a leading New York art gallery asked me to write the introduction to a catalogue for a major exhibition. I accepted the invitation without hesitation. They convinced me I would gain publicity as an emerging arts writer, so I agreed to a low fee, without the thought of negotiating with them. I was led to believe that from this project I would receive many future writing assignments.

When I arrived at the reception and opened the catalogue I nearly fainted. To my dismay, the owners “forgot” to add my name to the essay I had written as they had promised verbally. I asked if we could add a label or page in the catalogue that gave me credit, but they refused to correct their mistake. Although I remained poised and  smiled during the two hour reception, I cried all the way home.

Lessons Learned: Get it in Writing

• Get verbal agreements in writing.
• Add a provision that includes your right to proofread and approve anything written by or about you before its printed and / or distributed. Apply this to exhibition press releases, catalogues, invitations, articles, advertisements, and any other forms of promotion.
• Take measures to prevent typos, eliminations, and last minute changes.
• Don’t allow people in power to intimidate you into accepting unfair agreements.
• Be prepared to negotiate terms of compensation.
• If you become a victim of someone’s “forgetfulness” or oversights, be proactive, however possible.
• If they refuse to comply with your requests, obtain a mediator who will defend you.

I Own The Mistakes I Made

These events came with valuable lessons. I learned what I did to cause them.
• I allowed my naïveté and idealized expectations cloud my judgment.
• I jumped into projects without exercising foresight.
• I voluntarily gave people permission to mistreat me.
• I failed to exercise my rights.

Artists Are Often Vulnerable Targets

The art business world offers many opportunities as well as challenges. I know artists who have suffered from such disasters as: losing their art in galleries without having consignment agreements or having it insured; having their images stolen without copyright protection; and failing to get reimbursed for commissioned art projects; and more. You may recall some painful experiences of your own.

Alexander Pope reminds us, “To err is human”, and to forgive ourselves for any mistakes we make. Take steps to lean from them, avoid repeating them, and have the confidence to become your best art career advocate and agent.