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CAR Sponsors
with the Ford Foundation.
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Marketing/Promotion
Selected Articles
IS: I think that critics--the role they play, the training they have--are one of the more mysterious aspects of the art world for emerging artists. Could you tell me a bit about how you came to write art criticism?
The information below is part of a series of guides that outline the pros and cons of various types of venues.
ABOUT: Sponsored by local arts organizations, museums, libraries, and public art agencies. Curated and made available to the public, curators, collectors, critics and historians for exhibition opportunities, articles, and research.
EXPECTATIONS: Some slide libraries are curated, or open only to members. Others are open to anyone who submits. Registries will also collect other information such as résumés, catalogs, exhibition announcements, laser prints etc. in a file folder to be viewed upon request.
PROS: Another opportunity to get your work seen. Some registries have an online database that can be accessed worldwide. A good registry will ask for periodic updates.
A slide registry is a place where you send your slides-neatly labeled and photographed, of course-and then curators come and look at them and then you get a commission or sell your work or are asked to produce a work for your region's City Hall. At least, that's how it works in an ideal world. You should seriously consider sending your slides to a few good slide registries, however, not all slide registries are equal. How do you distinguish among the hundreds of slide registries out there?
Selected Artist Stories
I literally put the artwork into the public domain (invited or not). For some time, I have been producing projects that are designed to function in public spaces in addition to my straight documentary efforts. These artworks are not traditional public sculpture or murals, but are more aligned with the Message in a Bottle concept – ephemeral, require response, and free to take home for the random passerby.
There are many types of registries, but the one I am a part of is like a reference guide of artists (via Chicago Artist Coalition). It's a terrific tool for artists...even on the fundamental level of forcing you to organize your materials: proper documentation of your work, all the necessary accompaniments (resume, statement, pricing, etc.) All of this organizational stuff is daunting to pull together, but in CAC's registry, it seemed like a logical marketing tool and also because they offered it as a benefit to members (albeit there is a fee). Both should send press releases and show cards for their exhibitions. Artist should get their work out there any way they can, whether it’s showing in galleries or little apartment spaces, storefronts, whatever. It’s always a good idea to donate your work to silent auctions and fundraisers as well. It will get seen by all the people who go and maybe even draw the attention of a few collectors. Ultimately the goal is to get your work out there, to make it visible. Selected Chicago
Links
Professional association that contributes to the Chicago art scene through panel discussions, gallery talks, online newsletters and occasional publications. Trains Chicagoans on how to tell their stories to the media, and fosters awareness among journalists of the importance of these stories.
Selected National/International Links
One of the first alternative spaces in New York. Contemporary arts exhibition space that provides skills workshops, project grants, publications and a free digital image database and online artist registry. Article written by an arts business expert. Some of the art-specific examples are less than contemporary, but the business principles discussed are excellent. List of recommended books on publicity strategies and press release writing.
Advice about using email as a marketing tool. This article is written by an arts business expert. Some of the art-specific examples may be less than contemporary, but the business principles that are discussed are excellent. National professional development and opportunities resource for filmmakers. Article with advice for artists on how to present and promote artwork within an "Open Studio" or art fair environment, written by an arts business expert. A list of articles covering topics such as marketing, promotion, fundraising and documentation. These resources have been reviewed and selected by the MatchBook.org team.
Succinct advice on how to assemble a press kit for your organization's events.
A non-profit dedicated to the promotion of publications made by artists. The NYC exhibition space contains a reading room, retail/wholesale distribution and a free consulting service to libraries, art institutions, and art professionals.
Website for the active community of professionals working in contemporary art. Benefits of paid registration include two pages for showcasing work. Advice for artists on producing print reproductions of their artwork, written by an arts business expert. Some of the art-specific examples are less than contemporary, but the business principles discussed are excellent. Online directory of local, national, and international festivals and events. Allows for browsing and posting.
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