Launching Your Art Career: A Practical Guide for Artists

by Alix Sloan

Written by a gallerist for artists, this encouraging, easy-to-read handbook includes business of art advice and information to help artists successfully launch or accelerate their careers. The Second Edition, released in 2017, contains updates to links and resources. Topics Setting goals, networking, finding & creating exhibition opportunities, selling & pricing art, working with galleries, websites, artist statements, studio management and much more. Also Online resources and additional advice from over forty working artists and art dealers. Contributing Rick Araluce, Carrie Ann Baade, Ali Banisadr, Rebekah Bogard, Benjamin Britton, Mia Brownell, Charles Clary, Peter Drake, Cara Enteles, Roni Feldman, Lori Field, Eric Finzi, Camille Rose Garcia, Julie Heffernan, Seonna Hong, David Humphrey, David Kramer, Martin Kruck, Travis Louie, Marion Peck, Martha Rich, Jean-Pierre Roy, Judith Schaechter, Tony Shore, Aaron Smith, Sarah Trigg, Hanna von Goeler, Didier William and Brad Woodfin. Contributing Kirsten Anderson (Roq la Rue), Noah Antieau (Red Truck Gallery), William Baczek, Zach Feuer, Bert Green, Ken Harman (Spoke Art & Hashimoto Contemporary), Andrew Hosner (Thinkspace), Allegra LaViola (Sargent's Daughters), Jayme McLellan (Civilian Art Projects), Jen Rogers & Kerri Stephens (Varnish Fine Art), Billy Shire (La Luz de Jesus), Mindy Solomon, Linda Warren, Mark Wolfe, and Marcia Wood. Alix Sloan has over twenty years experience in the arts as a curator, consultant, private dealer and gallerist. She teaches business of art classes and regularly shares her expertise in art school lectures and one-on-one consultations, helping artists focus their goals, create strategies and understand what it takes to build and maintain a long-term art career. She also runs the Practical Advice for Artists website which provides resources and information to help artists. In this guide, Sloan makes the information every artist needs available in one accessible, straightforward guide. Whether you're just getting started or feeling stuck, "Launching Your Art A Practical Guide for Artists," provides proven, real-world strategies to help you advance your career.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

162 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 15, 2013

About the author

I write Middle Grade, Mysteries and Non-Fiction (Business of Art).

I love to read lots of different genres.

New book out now! The Peonies: Summer in the City.

Reviews

[Aaron Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very competent primer for the early career artist paired with great artist tips and wisdom.

[Ami Morrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book as a Goodreads Giveaway. <3

Over all, this book has helpful advice and it's a good book to keep on hand, but I felt like a lot of the advice was only geared to the type of artist who is trying to get in to a gallery. People who are selling their paintings or sculptures for thousands of dollars to be on display or sold in galleries. While the advice is helpful, there are a lot more types of artists out there then those. It felt like while the advice was solid, it didn't really help the type of artist who has very little interest in the gallery scene.

I also felt like this book would have been a little too much of a big step for an artist just starting out. There should have been smaller steps for them, and eventually work up towards telling them to jump in to the gallery. I don't know. Maybe it's just me... I don't know, it just felt like this book catered more towards one smaller segment of the art community instead of to all of the art community.

It's worth reading, but don't let this be your only guide helping you with your art career.

[Sherry Abrams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous win from Goodreads, this book imparts excellent advice for artists but, can apply to any other pursuits, as well! Great marketing, promotion, and public relations advice to further your ambitions and talents even in other worlds besides the arts. I especially enjoyed the sections of advice from various artists themselves sharing their own personal experiences in career self-promotion!

Sherry Ann Abrams