Project Prospectus

Building sustainable careers for artists 

Building a sustainable career as a professional artist can seem elusive at times. Many people are often discouraged from becoming professional artists because of the notion that an artist may not be able to earn a consistent living. As with many self-employed professionals, there are unique challenges, but these challenges can be overcome with careful planning and education. If as a society, we value the arts, then it is important for us to find ways to support artists. On a personal note, my husband is a professional musician. He was fortunate to grow up in a family and community that supported his dreams of pursuing the arts. He saw a path forward and had access to education and a network of artists. However, even with advantages, artists can sometimes struggle with the business side of the art world. Art programs rarely teach artists how to build and maintain a business. Artists are taught their craft but not how to sell their work. Through my work, I hope to create a method of providing useful tools to help artists navigate the business world. My hope is that if artists are educated on how to build a business, they will be able to streamline their administrative work, earn consistent income streams, and be able to spend the majority of their time focused on creating. This will help professional artists, encourage new artists, and support the art industry and art industry professionals.

Through my research, I have determined some key themes that I will be addressing with my work. Firstly, artists must have access to a business management education. This could mean that art programs create more business courses and tracks. The education could also come in the form of a separate management program specifically for art professionals. I hope to create a podcast and website dedicated to up to date resources for artists. These resources would include grant information, marketing tools, and networking opportunities. Additionally, there are institutions such as the Sotheby’s Institute of Art where individual can learn about art business specifically. I would like to highlight organizations and art fairs that are artist centered such as No Commission. No Commission Art Fair was created by art collector and musician Swizz Beatz as way to support artists by not taking commission and as a way to encourage art collectors to support artists. No Commission is a stellar example of how we can get creative with how we support artists and the art industry. As self-employed professionals, artists must consider their long-term financial health – factoring in retirement and emergencies. For many artists, this means creating multiple income streams. Building and maintaining multiple income streams is a recipe for success. It means a large investment of time and energy on the front of a career with a goal of creating a sustainable lifelong career. For artists, these income streams could include, selling their art, teaching, licensing, providing studio tours, selling digital art and prints, and collaborating with businesses. Another crucial theme I discover through my research is networking as a business tool. Building relationships and forming a reputation for yourself as an art professional are arguably the most important steps in building and art career. Relationships lead to collaborations, increased visibility, access to gathers and art fairs, and ultimately more sales. Networking as an artist means understanding and valuing the work of art industry professionals such gallerists and curators. Understanding business as an artists does not mean that there is no longer a place for art professional such as managers and agents. To the contrary, when artists are more educated on business matters, they can work with art professionals more efficiently.

I would like to create a podcast where I share the art business information and resources I have gathered, that will support artists in building their careers. Additionally, I would like to interview artists on the podcast. These artists would be professionals at various stages of their careers. I already have access to a vast artist community in my hometown and beyond – therefore I do not think it would be difficult to find interviewees. We would discuss challenges, successes, personal stories, and advice. I would like to interview as many different types of artists as possible including visual artists and musicians. I believe a podcast is an efficient and dynamic way to deliver information while staying up to date on the fast-paced art industry.