In covering the local arts scene, I’m often frustrated by how little practical know-how goes along with some of the work that’s created in town. Some days it seems like half the press releases I receive either lack vital pieces of information (price! time!); link to a shitty MySpace page you have to log into to even read (no, no, NO); or clearly didn’t receive even a cursory edit.
And that’s purely on a PR level. If you’re trying to make it as a working artist, there’s loads more than that you’ve got to learn on the fly.
Which is why today I’m giving away a copy of Art/Work: Everything You Need to Know (and Do) As You Pursue Your Art Career, a new practical guide to building your career as an artist, with tips on everything from creating a resume to finding gallery representation to safely packing your work for shipping. Authors Heather Darcy Bhandari and Jonathan Melber are a gallery owner and an arts-entertainment lawyer, respectively, and they’ve compiled what looks like a handy resource. Email me with “Art/Work” in the subject line if you want me to send it to you; I’ll pick a winner at random by 3 pm Monday.
I was not aware of this book so I’ll pick up a copy for the RACC library if any artists would like to borrow it. And, I know it’s not sexy, but RACC can always use help getting the word out on the inexpensive workshops we offer, which cover topics like online marketing, showing your portfolio, legal contracts, how to get public art commissions, grantwriting, and more.
http://www.racc.org/resources/workshops.ph…
The next workshop is next Saturday (3/28)… thirty bucks for a 4-hour workshop on Marketing.
[Alison, if I win the drawing, please give it to cultureshock. I was planning to donate it to a library anyway.]