Self-Promotion For The Artist

‘Self-Promotion For The Artist’ is a course designed for artists of all descriptions, whether painters, photographers, illustrators or sculptors, who are ready to take determined steps towards building a successful, fulfilling career in their chosen field.

The course, written by a successful self-promoting Artist, would be useful for new and emerging artists such as newly graduated students as well as hobbyists & recreational artists ready to move towards becoming professional or semi-professional artists.

You will be guided through many of the situations that you will experience as a self-promoting artist, including networking, art fairs and organising self-financed exhibitions. You will receive advice on producing the marketing materials you will need, how to approach the internet and how to supplement your career with additional earning opportunities.

At the end of the course you should have compiled most of the documents and materials you will need to begin your career as a self-promoting artist as well as developing a positive outlook and an increased level of self-awareness.

On successful completion of the course, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate an awareness of the national art industry and the opportunities available to you
• Develop a more detailed knowledge of the local industry and the opportunities available to you
• Develop an awareness of your own practices, motivations and career expectations
• Prepare materials required for your promotional activities
• Be able to identify opportunities and develop strategies to utilise those opportunities
• Express yourself in writing for a variety of different professional audiences
• Reflectively evaluate your own development and career planning processes

Lesson 1: Your expectations

• Introduction.
• What have you achieved so far?
• What do you want to achieve from here?
• What is your 'motivation'?

Lesson 2: Attitude & Outlook

• What is the art world like?
• Treating this as a business.
• How you relate to others.
• Remaining positive and friendly.
• Frame of mind.

Lesson 3: Networking

• Why do you need to get out of your studio?
• Open studio networks.
• Art clubs.
• Visiting galleries and art fairs.

Lesson 4: Marketing Materials

• The CV.
• Business Cards.
• Brochures, invitations and posters.
• Compiling a portfolio.

Lesson 5: Web-Sites & Online Galleries

• Who cares about the internet?
• Your options.
• Designing your own website.
• Using an online gallery service.

Lesson 6: The Artist's Statement

• What is an 'artist's statement'?
• How do you write one?

Lesson 7: Competitions

• The benefit of entering competitions.
• Scams.
• Choosing the right competitions for you.
• What are the various procedures and processes?
• A checklist.

Lesson 8: Self-Financed Exhibitions

• Why should I self-finance?
• A word of warning.
• Designing and installing an exhibition.
• Promoting a self-financed exhibition.
• The preview reception.
• Health & safety.

Lesson 9: Dealing With Galleries & Agents

• Why would you work with galleries and dealers?
• Imagine yourself as a gallerist or dealer.
• Exclusivity.
• The submission.
• Presenting your portfolio.
• Contracts & terms.
• Maintaining relationships.

Lesson 10: Art Fairs

• What is an art fair?
• Why should you consider showing your work at an art fair?
• Which art fair?
• How to prepare.
• What to expect.

Lesson 11: Additional Earning Opportunities

• Will you ever make a living from this?
• Tutoring.
• Residencies.
• Prints and fine art publishing.
• Greetings cards and graphic design.
• Commissions.
• Open a gallery!

Lesson 12: Final Assessment

• Summary.
• Bringing it all together.
• Produce your Artist's Statement & Curriculum Vitae

'Self-Promotion For The Artist' is a course designed for artists of all descriptions, whether painters, photographers, illustrators or sculptors, who are ready to take determined steps towards building a successful, fulfilling career in their chosen field.

The course, written by a successful self-promoting Artist, would be useful for new and emerging artists such as newly graduated students as well as hobbyists & recreational artists ready to move towards becoming professional or semi-professional artists.

There is no experience or previous qualifications required for enrolment on this course. It is available to all students, of all academic backgrounds.

The course, written by a successful self-promoting Artist, would be useful for new and emerging artists such as newly graduated students as well as hobbyists & recreational artists ready to move towards becoming professional or semi-professional artists.