Excellent ideas to use during every stage of your art career!
Whether you are an emerging artist, at mid-career level, or restarting your art career after a hiatus, are you looking for more ways to expand your art career credentials?
If so, this article gives you many simple and enjoyable ways to add more credibility, increase buyers, enhance your reputation, expand your Artists Biography and more!
All of these rewarding activities will add credibility to your career and offer many other benefits and valuable experience and build your professional connections.
I hope you’ll discover something here that inspires you to try it.
1. Display your art in “alternative” spaces
Many of the best exhibitions I curated that attracted many visitors did not take place in galleries. They were held in music and dance performance spaces, corporate lobbies, community centers and night clubs.
I organized several exhibitions at Lincoln Center for the Performing Artists. Before the performances and during intermission, throngs of art/music lovers would view the show.
Many of these art exhibitions in “alternative” spaces attracted the attention of the press, so the artists were able to add an exhibition and a review to their resumes.
Another great benefit was the artists sold a lot of artwork in these venues because our guests were relaxed and able to enjoy the art, talk to the artists directly, and not feel the pressures of gallery sales people.
So, look for these alternative exhibition opportunities. They are all around you!
2. Join an arts organization
Yes, in fact, join a few organizations. One should specialize in your medium, such as the watercolor society of your state or the photography club in your community. Another organization should be a national or international arts organization. And, the third one could be an online membership organization. Most organizations offer their members exhibitions and other benefits. If you want to enhance your career connections serve on a committee in the organization. Read Helpful Art Organizations and Resources, Valuable Art Organizations for Artists, and Organizations That Advance The Status of Women Artists.
3. Get involved with an art fundraiser
There are many charitable agencies that provide a mutually rewarding relationship with artists. Many already have annual events that include an art auction. If you have a favorite organization that you want to help, suggest the idea to them. Find something in your art niche, for example, if you’re a nature painter suggest a collaboration with an environmental organization. Read The Many Rewarding Ways Artists Help Charities.
4. Submit your art to a juried exhibition
There are many calls for artists to choose from. You can also enter theme exhibitions presented by The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS, and Manhattan Arts International. There are also online resources where you can find calls for artists. You’ll find many of them announce their calls for artists on Instagram.
5. Teach, lecture or give a demonstration
Clubs that hold monthly meetings for its members are always interested in discovering new topics, speakers and presentations. You have a skill so share it. Offer to present a talk about how you started as an artist. Or, give a painting demonstration. Educate the audience about how you create something from an idea, sketch or blank canvas. You may attract a new group of admirers and buyers. If you’re nervous at first, start with a small group with an audience of people you already know.
6. Suggest an interview for your community newspaper or blog
If you also have writing skills, and enjoy writing about art, put them to use. To get your byline in print is a wonderful way to build your reputation and biography. If writing an article intimidates you, you could suggest to the local community newspaper or blog an interview with a leading artist, museum curator or gallery owner. You could conduct the interview in person or via email. By doing this you’ll make a new connection, add this credit to your biography and learn something in the process.
7. Get involved in a public art project
There are many ways to share your art and creativity and also help your community. Contact your local schools, public art associations, and nonprofit organizations that make decisions about public murals and other community projects.
8. Sell or donate your art to a healthcare facility
There are many hospitals, healing centers, rehabilitation centers, senior homes, chemotherapy treatment centers, and many more healthcare facilities, around the world. Contact these facilities directly or go through a corporate art consultants. Many of them are interested in hearing from artists for their projects. Read Resources for Artists Interested in the Healthcare Art Market
9. Get a Professionally Written Art Review — Published & Promoted
Many artists have told me my Art Reviews and promotional services have helped them accelerate their reputation and visibility as a professional artist. They have been more successful at acquiring the attention of galleries, selling more of their art, and boost their prices, confidence and creativity. The praise and endorsement of having a professionally written art review is invaluable. Visit this page to learn about my Writing Services for Artists.
10. Launch an Art Group
If you feel compelled to become a leader in your art community and make a positive difference, consider starting an art organization. This step will provide a purpose for fellow artists as well as for yourself. As an art student at The Art Student’s League, NYC, NY, I launched an art group and also curated many public exhibitions. The benefits included meeting many influential people in the art and business world. The publicity I received was far beyond my expectations and was a huge boost to my credibility. Read Taking The First Steps To Launching An Artist Group or Organization
11. Share your spirit of Camaraderie!
Avoid isolation. Seek ways to collaborate with other artists and other professionals. One of the many guiding principles that has helped me in my life and career was from Booker T. Washington (1856-1915), a prominent American educator, author, orator, and advisor to U.S. presidents. He stated, “If you want to lift yourself up, lift someone else.” Read How Helping Others Led to A Rewarding Art Career
12. View yourself as the CEO of your own artistic enterprise.
Success begins with having the right attitude and self-perception. It also requires a smart, practical approach.
Read How to Create Your Art Business Plan
Final Words of Advice
Don’t be tempted to fall victim of a “Pay to Play” solicitation from businesses they prey on vulnerable, less experienced artists. Read “Beware of Vanity and Pay-to-Play Businesses and Their Solicitations”
Also read “Scams Aimed at Artists”
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