Being Seen: Networking for Artists
In short: Everywhere!
You should think of striking up conversations wherever you are and whoever is in front of you. (Yeah, I’m one of those people on the plane. But I can also read people to see if they want to chat.)
Become involved with an artist organization if it’s the right group for you. If you are serious about selling your art, don’t waste your time in a group of hobbyists. You’ll quickly get frustrated in groups where you’re always a step ahead of everyone else.
[ Read Dysfunctional v. Healthy Artist Organizations ]
Artist organizations can be your introduction to new opportunities that you might not otherwise hear about. In the right environment of professional artists, you will step up to challenges that you might not have confronted on your own.
It’s also worth your while to attend artist lectures at museums and galleries. In those venues, you have an opportunity to meet curators and collectors, as well as other artists—soaking in tips on how they present themselves.
It’s always beneficial to connect with other artists for the same reasons you’d join on organization of artists.
Outside of your art community, do yourself a favor and connect with other entrepreneurs. I’ll bet you know plenty of entrepreneurs, though you might not have thought of them as valuable connections.
The E word (entrepreneur) might not feel like it applies to you, but it does. Anyone who owns his or her own business (you) is an entrepreneur and probably has a few experiences you can learn from.
Think coaches, hair stylists, authors, virtual assistants, therapists, coffee shop owners, and retailers. Every one of them has to find business.
You’ll run into entrepreneurs at small business meet-ups, chambers of commerce, formal networking groups, and co-working spaces. earch “networking group” + your location to find one nearby.
Need more ideas? Grab my special free report, 31 People Who Can Help Sell Your Art.