How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist: Selling Yourself Without Selling Your Soul

by Caroll Michels

The classic handbook for launching and sustaining a career that "explodes the romantic notion of the starving artist", with new and expanded resources for succeeding in the burgeoning Internet art market (The New York Times)

Now in its fifth edition, with over 85,000 copies of previous editions sold, How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist is the preeminent guide to taking control of your career and making a good living in the art world. Drawing on over two decades of experience, Caroll Michels walks artists through the complicated process of balancing grants, gallery representation, private dealer sales, and a personal studio to ensure a public profile and a steady income. Included is a wealth of insider's information on getting into a gallery, being your own PR agent, and negotiating prices, as well as innovative marketing, exhibition, and sales opportunities for various art disciplines.

The new edition is fully updated with strategies for using the Web—everything from generating income through freelance work, to creating an entrepreneurial web site for promoting work to agents and clients, to assessing online galleries. An expanded and updated appendix adds more than 200 new resources such as Web designers, insurance and legal services for artists, internships, art colonies, and corporate and public art programs.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Business, Reference, Art Design

369 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Leah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Half useful advice, half woefully outdated advice (being originally published in 1983) this book does have some useful information on grant proposals, but their advice for marketing includes no information about online marketing (but it does say put together a press kit with a 8x10 glossy headshot). I believe most of the glossary in the back can be found online.

Some of the assumptions (entire chapter on how to psych out art dealers) are a little strange, and it contains none of the middle ground that the internet has opened up to several not-quite-starving artists. Perhaps a good book to have in your arsenal, not to read for fun, but to find certain paths into older institutions.

[Deborah K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am still reading this book and plan to use it as a guide for furthering my career as a visual artist. After rereading several sections, I will now get to the end of the book. However, I will most probably be working with it for a long time to come. It has answered questions that I have had for years about the practical how-to ways to get my work out into the world and move forward as a successful visual artist. The section on writing a resume is PRICELESS!

[Ziortza Pereira · Rating 3 out of 5]

3'5***

[Ruksana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take control of your career and live a fulfilling life. Great tips for artists.

[Ann Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I forgot I had read this book a few years ago; some helpful suggestions/ideas.

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the new version of this book and - wow!

This is a fantastic, hands-on, straight-forward look at business for the artist. It doesn't minimize the importance of connecting to others and selling your work and yourself as an artist to the right people. It also emphasizes the importance of not limiting yourself by location or others' perceived value of your work. I especially liked the real-world advice about hard work being a basic element of success, and how the starving artist is just a myth - unless you WANT to be a starving artist. Which is easy to do. I recommend this to any artists out there who feel they just don't know enough about the business side of things - and want specifics. This book goes into pricing, markups, margins, dealing with art dealers, and all the little things people are too "polite" to fill you in on. Yes - worry your pretty head about these things. And read this book so you'll know what exactly you should be worrying about.

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, inspiring, scary, overwhelming and full of great advice. Can't wait to put it into practice!
I think this should be a must-read for every Arts graduate wondering how they are going to 'make it' after school. I wish my University had provided any kind of course or workshop on the art business subject! This book is full of valuable information and creative people in all fields of art can find something for themselves, even if it is just reference toward further resources - which there is a lot of.
Even though it is mainly American-centered (most of the resources are US based) Michels does include some international names and really it's more about getting the general idea of where to turn and how to go about it which is invaluable!

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author brings up a lot of excellent points and arguments. I don't agree with all of the actions recommended, however it is an important book to begin grasping how the art world works and getting a good business sense for your art career. Just pause before doing all that is advised and see how your own career is developing, particularly in light of changing global economics and internet sales.

[Marta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book addresses many elements of having a career as an artist. I liked that, aside from the practical advise of applying for galleries, grants, etc. it addressed the psychological conflicts one might encounter: conflicting feeling about monetizing on your artwork, feelings of self-doubt, competition, etc. A very useful read... just make sure you get the most current edition!

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is straightforward and organized well. Most of the information is common sense, but it's really helpful for beginning to sell art. I liked the tips on finding appropriate galleries, pricing, etc because it's nice to have an idea of what to expect.

I didn't rate it 5 stars because it was kind of a dry book.

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone in the arts should read this, including writers. There is a huge appendix in the back with a ton of resources, and she lays out the business aspect of art in a non-anxiety producing way.

[Jessica peyton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great art reference

[Artistparent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great information, good resources, and very realistic. Geared towards visual artists.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremly useful as a resource guide. I could not be without this book. No artist should be without this in their library.

[Sheona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the clear concise and precise info. Little weak on the cyber and internet info but a book full of good solid advice for any artist

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Packed full of info on how to make it as an artist. My new bible.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 80% of the information that wasn't outdated in this book was very helpful.

[James Prothero]

Invaluable reference source. I read sections of it and will keep if for review as I build my art business

[Nia]

I'm not rating this book because I only skimmed it, and because it is very dated. Despite those two facts, this book helped me by inspiring hope for me as a writer, an aspiring novelist, to be precise. Chapter 4 was probably the most relevant for today and for non visual artists.
Read, Write, Dream, Walk !

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ShiraDest

June 22nd, 12018 HE