Artist Story Questions

Making Work

What should an artist consider when negotiating commissions?
What key strategies can you share about starting and running a new theater in Chicago?
How have you cultivated relationships with curators or presenters?
What are successful strategies for selling in art fairs?
How have you engaged museums?
What should be considered when choosing performers for your dance company?
What should be considered when casting an ensemble?
What is the value of working in alternative spaces and venues?
How do you balance parenthood with your artistic practice?
What considerations went into setting up your studio or securing rehearsal space?
How can art-making impact social and political issues?
Should an artist mold their life around art, or art around life?
What makes a successful public art practice?
How do collaboration and community context inform your work?

Education

Portfolio preparation: do's and don'ts.
What's the best thing that happened to you in art school?
Describe your criteria for selecting the right undergraduate or graduate program.
How have you found the transition from student to working artist?
How important is it for you to update your skills on an ongoing basis?
Describe your experiences working as an artist educator in your community.
What qualities create good teachers?
How do you create interesting and engaging curricula for your students?
What are the pros and cons of teaching part time?
How do changing trends in technology affect your teaching?

Space

In your experience, which neighborhood(s) are most hospitable to artists, and why?
How has gentrification effected your living situation and your sense of community in Chicago?
How has your relationship to building good credit affected your artistic life?
What measures have you taken to make your studio or rehearsal space safe and non-toxic?
How do you afford a studio or rehearsal space, and how important is it to you to keep it?
How important is it to you to own your own live/work space, and what have you done to make it happen?
Why did you turning your home into a gallery or performance space?
What 3 critical things about buying property didn't you know when you bought your space?
What 3 critical things about setting up your studio or securing rehearsal space didn’t you know beforehand?
What key strategies would you share with other artists about starting and running an arts space?

Opportunities

What makes a strong proposal?
What pointers would you give other artists about writing an artists’ statement?
How do you select which opportunities to apply for and which ones to ignore?
How have residencies informed your creative work?
Discuss how bartering skills / materials within your network help you to achieve your goals.
How has the internet helped your career?
As an artist or curator, what are ways you have cultivated opportunities in your community?
Can you talk about the ways you have found to make a living off your work?
What job has been the most useful to your career, and how did you get it?
How important is it to you that your day job is meaningful and challenging?
Discuss how volunteering can help you to build a network.
How have internships helped you to build skills and develop a network in the arts?

Career

Describe your career trajectory, and any particularly useful lessons you'd like to share.
What makes a successful music/theater/dance/art career?
How do you cultivate your network of peers or patrons?
How did you find a mentor/ mentee?
Slides or digital? Stills of video? DIY or hire a professional?
As an artist who is new to the city, how do you navigate the Chicago Arts Scene?
How do you make your work pay for itself?
How do you maintain relationships with critics?
What are the challenges of promoting and marketing a show in Chicago? How do you overcome those challenges?
Does being an artist mean different things depending on how old you are?
What 3 critical things about setting up your studio didn’t you know beforehand?
Describe your most successful strategy for getting your work out there.
What job has been the most useful to your artistic career, and how did you get it?
How can artists with disabilities inform contemporary art discourse?
Are there organizations that have helped your career?
How do you get grants? Apply apply apply….

Business

How are artists small businesses?
What entrepreneurial strategies have been successful for your art practice?
I really want this gig. How do I price myself? How do you talk about money and how much should I ask for?
In what ways have you become more legal-savvy in your artistic career?
How do you establish a working hourly rate for your time?
To incorporate, or not..
When does an artist need a contract?
Is there anything artists should be aware of when insuring their studios?
What is the value of good bookkeeping?
What are financial planning tips that have worked for you?
Have you ever needed to lobby your alderman? How'd you do it?
Press releases: who, what, when, why, how?

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