Do This!
Artist Marketing Newsletter Focusing on Action Steps

What's Going On: Announcements /Classes
>>>Do This: Be in the Know
Artists Respond: What They Have To Say

WHAT'S GOING ON

: : Class: CHOOSING THE RIGHT CAREER PATH : :
begins next Monday, July 11
Are you cut out for arts festivals? Do you have to be stuck in juried exhibitions forever? Wondering what an art consultant can do for you? This class is an overview of many opportunities available to artists. http://www.artbizcoach.com/classes/path.shtml

All Kinds of Finds and Tips. It's updated almost every day! This week:    ►Arts Journal updates.   ►Portrait artists need to read this book..   ►The value of habits and routines. Find out more on the Art Biz Blog: http://stanfieldart.typepad.com

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I met with several artists over the past week and was impressed by a couple of them who are very knowledgeable about what is going on in their "scenes."

It's difficult to keep up with everything that's going on in art. I know because I try. Every week I receive the Arts Journal digest (which you can find referenced on my blog at http://stanfieldart.typepad.com) and news about art in Colorado. Every day I wake up to the Arts section from The New York Times in my inbox. In between, I get keyword Google alerts and updates from all kinds of art organizations across the country and abroad. And still, I know I've barely scratched the surface of all that's happening in art.

The point is: I do my best. I'm more knowledgeable than if I feign helplessness and do nothing. And that knowledge certainly comes in handy. I often put it to work on behalf of my individual clients--forwarding opportunities, articles, and links of interest to them.

If you're a portrait painter, you need to know about your competition. What's the pricing scale and how will you differentiate yourself? You also need to know about your market. Who is willing to pay to have their portraits painted and how will you find them? Does it pay to advertise?

If you do arts shows and festivals, you need to know about the people behind the scenes. Who are the organizers, what are they doing to promote the event, and what is their reputation? It helps to subscribe to Sunshine Artist Magazine: http://www.sunshineartist.com. Of course, you also need to know about the jury process and sales techniques. This can be done by attending the Gain the Edge workshop this fall in Colorado: http://www.artbizworkshops.com

If you're a sculptor, where do you find the best, most reliable suppliers? Who do you need to stay in touch with to make sure you have the most up-to-date information? And what is the best way to stay in the loop?

Of course, these are all brief examples and there is much more that you need to be in the know about. Much can be done with some online research, keeping up with artist discussion groups, and subscribing to listservs and magazines. The rest can probably be discovered with a few well-placed questions to the right people.

The free-of-charge Art Marketing Community can help put you in the thick of things. Visit http://www.artbizconnection.com to start an art-marketing salon.

ARTISTS RESPOND 

Michelle Wilson, The Hot and Cold Waters of Arenal.  Collagraph.  ©The Artist   http://phillyart.net/michellewilson/

Michelle Wilson of Philadelphia wrote to add her thoughts on submitting a solid proposal:

"I thought your breakdown of how to submit a solid proposal was excellent. The only thing I thought you might have mentioned concerns grant proposals specifically. I see again and again artists and arts nonprofits trying to fit their ideas into a specific grant, rather than finding a grant that fits their ideas. And the projects that come out of ideas tailored to grants are often stiff and limiting to the artists it affects. I think it should be noted that there are tons of possible opportunities and funding out there, as an artist, go for what suits your vision, don't let some grantmaker or agency dictate how your work should go."

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Copyright © 2005 Alyson B. Stanfield. All rights reserved. 

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