Course Description
The business practices necessary for an exhibiting and practicing artist to survive in the contemporary art market. Assignments will focus on professional development. Each student will leave the class with a packet of material to approach galleries, museums, and other art centers for exhibitions.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Additional written assignments and reports.
Athena Title
PROF PRAC BUS OF
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Students will leave the course prepared to face the realities of a practicing artist in today's art market. Each student will develop a packet of materials which will include an artist C.V. and resume, artist bio, artist statement, and slide sheet. These will enable the student to pursue venues offered by museum directors, gallery directors, artist residency opportunities, and grant opportunities. Each student will also do a public slide presentation often required in association with such venues. Outside speakers such as accountants, lawyers, artist representatives, professional photographers, gallery owners,etc. will lead discussions on taxes, contracts, insurance, slide preparation, and copyright law to inform each student on logistical matters crucial to professional artists. The student will leave the class feeling that they have the knowledge and skills to meet the challenges one encounters upon graduation from art school.
Topical Outline
Books Required - "How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist: Selling Yourself Without Selling Your Soul", by Caroll Michels "Art and Fear," by David Bayles & Ted Orland Week One - Introduction: "How I have survived and prospered as an artist" Overcoming Myths. Are you ready to market your work? Tools of communication - business cards, resume, cover letter. Assignment #1 - pg. 1-15 Michels. Prepare an up to date, professional resume. Week Two - Photographing Your Artwork, Guest speaker to be announced. Resume due. Assignment #2 - Prepare a slide portfolio of 10 slides, one (5"x7" or 8"x10")black and white photo of work and black and white photo of self. Week Three - Tools of Communication - Biographical Statement, Personal Statement. Press Reviews. Presentation Packages - Brochures, Videos, Press Releases, Invitations, Review of Resumes. Assignment #3 - Write Biographical Statement and Personl Statement. Week Four - Sources of Funding - Artist-In-Residence Programs, Grant writing in course objectives. Writing a Proposal Slides and Photos due. Assignment #4 - Write for application forms for residency programs or available grants, prepare a grant or residency proposal. Week Five - State Grants and Percent for Arts Programs, Guest Speaker to be announced. Biographical Statement and Personal Statement due. Week Six - Review of Bio's and Personal Statement Review of Slides. 2nd Draft of resume due. Open discussion. Assignment #5 - Write a press release. Week Seven - Artists and the Law. Guest Speaker to be announced. Record Keeping, Legal Guidelines, Obscenity laws, taxes. Residency or Grant Proposal due. Assignment #6 - Read Federal Tax Forms, set up system for all business records, send away for copyright forms. Week Eight - Exhibition Opportunities - Commercial Galleries, Museums, Art Centers, University Galleries, Co-operatives, Juried Exhibitions Non-profits, Alernative Spaces. Questions to ask your gallery. Assignment #7 - Written evaluation of 5 galleries or alternative spaces for potential exhibition of your work. Week Nine - Preparing Work for Exhibition - Pricing Work, Insurance, Contracts, Crating and Shipping. Guest Speakers to be announced. Assignment #8 - Contact insurance companies for an estimate on insuring your studio, exhibition, and fine art shipment. Week Ten - Guest Speaker to be announced. Written evaluation of potential exhibition spaces due. Open Discussion. Week Eleven - Taxes Guest Speaker to be announced. Assignment #9 - Prepare records for tax keeping. Week Twelve - Exhibiting in Museums and Art Centers. Guest Speaker to be announced. Tax preparation system due. Week Thirteen - How to Sell Artwork. Guest Speaker to be announced. Assignment #10 - Prepare for class slide presentations Week Fourteen - Public Relations. Class slide presentations. Peer Evaluation. Week Fifteen - Public Relations. Class slide presentations. Peer Evaluation. Assignments due for grading: Final slide portfolio (20 slides), slide list, resume, personal statement, press release, 5"x7" or 8" x10" black and white photo of work and photo of self. Week Sixteen - Final Grading. Presentation Packets returned.