Last week I gave you a long list of questions to consider before entering a juried exhibit. If you missed that issue, it’s now available in the brand-new (and we’re still working on them) Art Marketing Action archives available at http://www.artbizcoach.com/dothis/archive.html

Robert P. Hawkins, Anemone Verde. OIl on linen, 130 x 160 cm. (c) The Artist   http://robertphawkins.artspan.com

This week, I’ll continue the exhibit theme with another big question: Why do you exhibit your art here or there? What makes you pay a $25 entry fee or spend 6 months building a new body of work? What do you get from it in the long run?

Most artists exhibit their art because, well, because that’s just what artists do. And you should get your art out there as much as you can. I’m just asking you to consider setting some goals for your next exhibit. Adding to your resume isn’t a sufficient goal since you are going to do that anyway.

Consider the following.

I am having an exhibition to test the waters [after a long absence or because I’m just beginning].

I am having an exhibition because I need to create a new body of work and the deadline will motivate me.

I am having an exhibition because I want to make $_____________. This is the best scenario. But I would be happy and feel it was a success if I made $______________. To do this, I need to sell ________ (#) of works, broken down as follows:

I am having an exhibition because I want the following people to see my work and to add me to their radar screens:

I am having an exhibition because I want to add _________ (#) people to my mailing list. I know that I’ll meet a lot of people in the process.

I am scheduling a public talk with this exhibition to get over the fear of speaking about my art.

I am having an exhibition because I want to meet or to work with these people:

I am having an exhibition because I want my art to be featured in these publications:

Share your hopes and goals for your exhibits on the Art Biz Blog, http://www.artbizblog.com.