Ever heard the adage, “you go to art school for the connections”? Well, it’s true. An academicized art program can help you identify peers with whom you share like interests and ambitions and complimentary skill sets, people that can be your allies in this hot mess of an art world. But what if you’re one of the many, many working artists who haven’t had the need, means, or interest in going (back) to school? Frankly, connections are even more important.
This blog is all about becoming more marketable as an artist by cutting out the middleman of dealers, gallerists, curators, and publishers, a process that becomes so much easier when you assemble a team (or loose confederation, whatever you prefer) for mutual benefit and moral support. The great thing about artists is that they almost always have day jobs. Whether accounting or graphic design, public relations or construction, screen-printing or fundraising, you’d be surprised at how a much more ground a little teamwork can cover.
So what can many artists do together, exactly, that’s better than one? With their pooled knowledge and resources, plenty! Rent and share a larger and nicer studio space. Re-purpose a site for an independent exhibition. Reach out to get publicity and get in-kind donations from friends and contacts. Self publish and produce books, music, crafts, and objets d’art. Hold lectures, teach classes and share skills, hold critiques and promote one another. The list goes on and on.
But how does one seek out and form a community, especially if you happen to be the new kid in town? There are tons of resources available to suss out connections and find compatriots! Here’s some advice for finding and forming a productive art collective:
1. Understand your value.
In all professional relationships it is important to maintain balance. Before attempting to get out there and network, take a minute to get a “cocktail party line” down about who you are and what you have to offer, so that you can put a good first foot forward with your potential new community. Don’t feel the need to brag about accomplishments, but sum up three or so things that characterize your skill set, like “I’m a watercolor painter who also codes websites and dabbles in graphic design”. Of course, there’s no substitute for demonstrating value through strength of character! If you’re less experienced, make up for it in enthusiasm, attitude, and worth ethic.
2. Exercise multiple options.
I read somewhere that it often takes two years after a big move to feel completely comfortable in a new place. As someone who’s moved a bit, I think it’s really true! With that in mind, widen your networking net and try and meet as many people as possible. Go outside your comfort zone, both through Internet channels like LinkedIn Groups, Craigslist.org, and Meetup.com, and by attending a wide range of art-related programming in your city or town (or the next town over, if you can)! Social media networking and good old-fashioned meet-and-greeting both have their merits. If it takes a while to locate your niche, keep an open mind. And if after all that time, you still can’t seem to find anyone you could see collaborating with, consider locations that might be a better fit for you.
3. Think outside the box.
Don’t discount your virtual connections! Forming relationships in more than one place can connect disparate art communities while keeping your dance card full of projects and wish lists. Through blogs, Google Groups, Skype, and email, you can have meetings, share drafts, budgets, and schedules, and refine your plot for world domination. For example, the administration of the Museum of Pocket Art lives in Oregon, California, Texas, and Illinois, we are able to use Skype and email to host four traveling exhibitions per year and self-publish detailed catalogs. My point is anything is possible. If nothing else, put together a “dream team” list of artist peers from over the years who you respect the most, and start a private critique blog to keep each other focused and engaged in a dynamic practice. Just like with most art-related things, the more eyes and ears that are (constructively) involved, the better.
When artists work together, amazing things can happen. See the links below to get inspired, and happy collaborating!
http://craftmafia.com/
http://canopycanopycanopy.com/
http://www.oregonpaintingsociety.org/
http://itspland.wordpress.com/
No Artist is an Island: Tips for Finding Strength in Numbers
Ever heard the adage, “you go to art school for the connections”? Well, it’s true. An academicized art program can help you identify peers with whom you share like interests and ambitions and complimentary skill sets, people that can be your allies in this hot mess of an art world. But what if you’re one of the many, many working artists who haven’t had the need, means, or interest in going (back) to school? Frankly, connections are even more important.
This blog is all about becoming more marketable as an artist by cutting out the middleman of dealers, gallerists, curators, and publishers, a process that becomes so much easier when you assemble a team (or loose confederation, whatever you prefer) for mutual benefit and moral support. The great thing about artists is that they almost always have day jobs. Whether accounting or graphic design, public relations or construction, screen-printing or fundraising, you’d be surprised at how a much more ground a little teamwork can cover.
So what can many artists do together, exactly, that’s better than one? With their pooled knowledge and resources, plenty! Rent and share a larger and nicer studio space. Re-purpose a site for an independent exhibition. Reach out to get publicity and get in-kind donations from friends and contacts. Self publish and produce books, music, crafts, and objets d’art. Hold lectures, teach classes and share skills, hold critiques and promote one another. The list goes on and on.
But how does one seek out and form a community, especially if you happen to be the new kid in town? There are tons of resources available to suss out connections and find compatriots! Here’s some advice for finding and forming a productive art collective:
1. Understand your value.
In all professional relationships it is important to maintain balance. Before attempting to get out there and network, take a minute to get a “cocktail party line” down about who you are and what you have to offer, so that you can put a good first foot forward with your potential new community. Don’t feel the need to brag about accomplishments, but sum up three or so things that characterize your skill set, like “I’m a watercolor painter who also codes websites and dabbles in graphic design”. Of course, there’s no substitute for demonstrating value through strength of character! If you’re less experienced, make up for it in enthusiasm, attitude, and worth ethic.
2. Exercise multiple options.
I read somewhere that it often takes two years after a big move to feel completely comfortable in a new place. As someone who’s moved a bit, I think it’s really true! With that in mind, widen your networking net and try and meet as many people as possible. Go outside your comfort zone, both through Internet channels like LinkedIn Groups, Craigslist.org, and Meetup.com, and by attending a wide range of art-related programming in your city or town (or the next town over, if you can)! Social media networking and good old-fashioned meet-and-greeting both have their merits. If it takes a while to locate your niche, keep an open mind. And if after all that time, you still can’t seem to find anyone you could see collaborating with, consider locations that might be a better fit for you.
3. Think outside the box.
Don’t discount your virtual connections! Forming relationships in more than one place can connect disparate art communities while keeping your dance card full of projects and wish lists. Through blogs, Google Groups, Skype, and email, you can have meetings, share drafts, budgets, and schedules, and refine your plot for world domination. For example, the administration of the Museum of Pocket Art lives in Oregon, California, Texas, and Illinois, we are able to use Skype and email to host four traveling exhibitions per year and self-publish detailed catalogs. My point is anything is possible. If nothing else, put together a “dream team” list of artist peers from over the years who you respect the most, and start a private critique blog to keep each other focused and engaged in a dynamic practice. Just like with most art-related things, the more eyes and ears that are (constructively) involved, the better.
When artists work together, amazing things can happen. See the links below to get inspired, and happy collaborating!
http://craftmafia.com/
http://canopycanopycanopy.com/
http://www.oregonpaintingsociety.org/
http://itspland.wordpress.com/
Tagged as:
collaboration,
mastermind
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