As an artist, you want to get your work out there as much as possible. Exhibitions, gallery shows, art fairs and commissions are the usually the way most artists make their living. But with so many art exhibitions, galleries, shows, along with numerous other artists trying to do the same thing, how can you get your work exhibited?
Many artists, especially emerging artists, are less likely to be invited by a gallery or exhibition to showcase their work, or for a solo show. It’s not necessarily because they don’t like your work. Rather, it could be that the galleries may not even be aware of you or your art.
As an emerging artist, the first thing to do is get your work out there!
Prepare a professional portfolio, website as well, if possible. Have your CV, bio and artists statement prepared as many will ask for this (or may be a requirement for many calls for art.
Choose exhibits that are closely in line with your style. You will have a better chance of being accepted into a show or exhibit.
The more shows and exhibits you are a part of, the more you will meet others in the industry, including gallery owners, curators and potential clients and patrons! Continue to participate in as many (realistic) exhibitions and shows as possible. Even while working on a show or commission piece, browse available call for artists / call for arts. You may have work suitable and ready to go for a potential show, allowing you to still concentrate on your current work.
As you fill out your year with potential exhibits and shows, don’t forget to continually update your CV to reflect the shows you’ve participated in.
If you haven’t done so already, if you’re showing your work on a semi-regular basis, this might be the perfect time to consider renting a studio. A space purely dedicated to your career in the arts. Your living room or spare bedroom might have worked in the past, but unless you can truly dedicated that space to your arts, art will always be secondary. Art can also get messy. Real messy. Having a dedicated space helps you keep the mess out of your home as well. Use a representing tenant broker and a real estate attorney to review your commercial leasing contract. Many times brokers don’t cost you anything as they are paid through the landlord. This is a great way to discover new spaces, and get into hot areas that tend to fill quickly. Using an attorney will also help you avoid any hiccups in signing a lease agreement. Commercial leases are drastically different than a residential lease. Having someone review the fine print will help avoid any mishaps later on.
Even though working remotely from home is common place with many companies nowadays, it’s a bit more complicated as an artist. You could potentially have customers, curators, gallery owners and other artists wishing to do a studio tour. Studio tours are very common, and an excellent way to network with others in the industry.
Having a dedicated space allows you to meet with others in a dedicated space, without the distraction. Last thing you would want is to be showing your work to a customer when they start sneezing because they’re allergic to your pets.
So you have your space now. Your paperwork is all in order. You’re participating in shows and exhibits. What now? Keep it up. Continue to work on your craft, expand your portfolio and market yourself to art buyers and art professionals. Your art is not just a hobby, but a career. If you’re not painting, work on your brand, your social media, meet ups with galleries, patrons, clients and those who support your work. As an artist, you play the role of everything – sales, marketer, accountant, administrator, etc. As your career flourishes, you can start delegating specific activities to a professional, such as hiring an accountant to help you track expenses, costs and profits.
It’s great if things get busy, but they won’t always stay that way. Unless you have a manager or agent, it can be difficult to consistently stay busy as an artist. Galleries are usually on rotation, and won’t be showcasing just you each month. As an emerging artist trying to reach their mid-career point, having a few galleries that you work closely with, that regularly showcases your work throughout the year, in different areas (or countries) will help keep you busy.