Recently I have noticed ads from the San Francisco Art Academy promoting the tag line “Art as Career.”
Throughout art school I was constantly handed references to ones “artistic career.”
When you look at most fine artists’ websites, what do they present? They proudly display their resume or their CV. Are they applying for a job? I don’t think so.
The only time you have a career is when you work for someone else, when you receive a paycheck, a W2.
Fine artists are in business for themselves. They are entrepreneurs and they embrace that reality or they reject it and struggle. It’s simply a choice.
If you are a fine artist I’m not sure where you can go to pick up a paycheck for your talent. And if you do you will most likely be changing gigs often.
Unless you trade your talent for its commercial application, like any small business, you’ll need to define your unique value proposition and reach your target market, even if your market is solely galleries and art consultants.
Why do I put such a fine point on artists having a business and not a career? Because until an artist embraces this fundamental reality they will be trapped by an illusive idea of success that they will never get their heads wrapped around.
I understand that this is a fundamental paradigm shift for most artists and our culture. My own graphic designer gave me crap about putting my title “Artist & CEO” on my company’s business card. He said, “CEO? That’s too corporate.” I replied, “Well, I do own a corporation and I am the CEO. This is my legal title.”
I can hear it now. But I don’t want to “sell out.” What does that really mean? Does anyone really know? The good news is that much more creative and financial freedom can be found through business savvy.
So if you accept this economic reality what do you do? Start reading books on marketing, educate yourself about finance, taxes, legal issues, and sales. Learn whereever and whenever you can. And consider the fact that Steve Jobs of Apple has always considered himself an artist.
If you live near a major city you can start or continue your business education at a Small Business Development Center. They offer free and low cost services.
Sorry they didn’t clue you in art school but they don’t tell doctors or lawyers how to run a practice either.
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Ann – Thanks for the post.
Inspired by this your writing, I’ve added e-commerce to my artist website. https://BMcElhaney.com
Thank you Judy!
This is exactly right! I used to be a Realtor in my past life – and I cringe when I see a Realtor working – they work it like a career – and forget that they are “independent contractors” and a business for themselves not Century 21 or Keller Williams and any others they may be affliated with. Artists too – even if affiliated with galleries – are still their own business. They think that once in a gallery they can just hand over the marketing, sales etc? My art is my product. I make products to sell. I am a business. I enjoy your articles, Ann
Succint advice here, thanks for reaffirming what has taken me a while to realise. Also, absolutely brilliant end line too!
Awwwe. Thank you!
I love you Ann, you are my idol!
Thank you Paula!
Excellent article Ann. Taking responsibility for your business is the other vital side of becoming a successful artist. Schools and colleges would better serve their art students by suggesting financial and marketing classes focused on the creative professions. For those not near a campus, web based instruction is a rich, inexpensive resource these days. I’ve taken several courses on line.
Including CEO on your business card was smart. It changes the public’s perception of you and to start thinking of art as a “real” business.