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First steps for new artists
Audio guides for new artists, including new graduates, on studios, promotion, networks and exhibitions Maintaining a career as an artist can be a complex. It takes a lot more than making good work. If you’re a…
Art fairs and tradeshows
What do artists and makers need to know when participating in fairs and trade shows? Tips for art fairs and trade shows
Self-organised exhibitions
One of the best, and fastest ways of getting an exhibition is organising your own. This article highlights the key things to consider if you decide on a D.I.Y. approach. At the start of your career, you need…
What work should I get paid for?
If you work in the arts you should get paid. Even if you volunteer you should get paid expenses so that working does not cost you anything. Many people in the arts do…
Making and selling an artist’s book edition
A detailed case study of Paul Greenleaf’s experiences self publishing and selling an artist’s book edition. In this article he: If you are interested in making artists’ book, also read Tom Sowden’s article…
How and why do collectors collect?
These films commissioned by Own Art give insight into how and why people decide to collect art. It’s rarely for investment, and overwhelmingly for the happiness living with works of art brings them. The collectors…
Susan Royce: avoiding the hobbyist approach
What does it mean to turn doing what you love into a business? Art consultant Susan Royce shares her thoughts. I started working in the arts as a happy accident. I soon realised I…
Hiring people
Even if you are self employed, there may come a point when you need more formal assistance in your practice. For example, you might need to produce a large commission and need help for the period of a…
Working as a sound artist
Jason Singh writes on working as a sound artist. This includes his experience of opportunities, earning, networking and workshops. What is sound art? Wikipedia defines sound art as: “..a diverse group of art practices that…
Editioning
If you work in a medium that can be duplicated, such as photography, digital or print work, learning how to edition and price your work properly is a useful way to sell. An edition is a number of prints…
Helen Johannessen: working with designers and manufacturers
Commissioning somebody else to manufacture and distribute your own designs can be a daunting prospect. Designer Helen Johannessen talks about her own experiences with this process. Helen describes how she moved from making…
Commissioning and running a commercial website for artists
Is your website doing the job of selling your work? And do you know what you need to do if you hold customers’ data? Or who owns copyright in your website? This…
Your legal rights as an artist
As an artist, you have specific and well established legal rights. It’s important to know what these when you start out in the art world. Key legal issues that you should be aware of…
Earning money as an artist
Most artists earn only a small proportion of their income directly from their art. Earning a living off the sale of artworks, exhibitions and commissions is a reality for very few people. Many earn nothing…
Career planning for artists
Spending a bit of time planning your career and future as an artist can yield huge rewards. Unless you know very clearly where you want to be and how you’re going to get there, you’ll be…
Fundraising basics
Fundraising can be a full time occupation. What can you do if you want to get more effective at applying for grants without it taking over your life? Prepare application materials Every application needs to be tailored to…
Budgeting and money advice for artists
Before investing lots of time in researching funding and finance options, work out how much – and what kind – of money you need. Planning your budget We all need different levels of income…
Bartering and exchange
Bartering involves the exchange of goods and services without using money. It’s the earliest form of trade. Bartering has the advantage that you don’t need any money to start to make things happen. What you do need…