Launching a Successful Career in the Visual Arts

Originally titled, "NOW WHAT?": A Basic Handbook on How to Show and Sell Your Art, this section was written by Susan Peacock in conjunction with VSA arts of Florida.

Introduction: Why Do People Make Art?

Why do people make art? This is a question asked and answered countless times throughout human history. Some people say that no one knows why people make art, only that they must. Others say that life and art are the same: According to Balinese folklore, "We have no art, we merely do everything that we do as best we can." Other people say that people create art to help others: according to the composer Schumann, "To send light into the darkness of men's heartsÑsuch is the duty of the artist." Still other people say that people make art because it is physically or emotionally therapeutic, because art can advance a cause or make a political statement, or because it is a way of making a living (although just 12 percent of artists in the United States make a living from only their art). Whatever the reasons, people make art. To most artists, the creation of art and the marketing of art are very different. Most artists love to make art but feel clueless about what to do once the art is made. This section will help resolve this problem. It will discuss putting together a portfolio, getting in juried exhibitions, approaching and working with galleries, using the Internet, as well as paying taxes, handling Social Security issues, finding grants, and matting, framing, and shipping artwork. While covering all aspects of the art business is impossible in a space this small, this section will provide a good start.

The section is written for all artists, including artists with disabilities. The difficult tasks of getting exposure as an artist and marketing art are even more difficult for artists with disabilities. Susan Peacock wishes to give thanks to Gay Drennon, Ph.D., Barbara A. Sloan, J.D., Stephanie Moore, Director of Visual Arts Initiatives, VSA arts, and others for their generous help with this project.

To launch a career in the visual arts, consider the following:

• Creating a Portfolio
• Elements of a Portfolio
• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Slides
• The Artist's Biography
• The Artist's Statement
• Miscellaneous Portfolio Tips
• Showing and Selling Your Work: Why? Where? To Whom?
• The Pros and Cons of Working with Galleries
• Pricing Work
• Juried Exhibitions
• Organizing Your Own Exhibition
• Artist's Registries
• Small Businesses
• Municipal Spaces
• Fellowships, Residencies, and Grants
• Taxes
• The Web
• Resources for Visual Artists