How Satisfied Are You With The State of Your Art Career?
About 2 weeks ago I sent out a short and sweet survey to my
Art Fix mailing list. The first
question: "How Satisfied Are You With The
Current State of Your Art Career?"
The questions that followed dove deeper into the
specific hurdles artists find themselves jumping over right now. The answers were a mixed bag, but one hurdle kept popping up again and again.
One of the biggest problems most artists face is finding exhibition opportunities for their work.
Folks, this is...bad. In fact it’s a deal breaker. If you’re
not showing your work, in some way or another, you can’t possibly be selling
your work! People have to be able to see what you make in order to fall
in love with it and decide they want to buy it.
So, I read every single one of your comments and poured over
your answers....And then I got to work! Right now I’m almost finished writing "How to Craft a Killer Exhibition Proposal".
I have news for you. There are plenty of places to show your work outside the
commercial gallery system. Let me repeat that for you:
There are plenty of places to show your artwork outside of
commercial galleries.
But if you can't write a simple, professional exhibition proposal you're missing a lot of those opportunities.
I want you to be able to take the information
in "How to Craft a Killer Exhibition Proposal", tailor it to your own needs, and then run with it!
I want this thing to be a powerful tool to
get your act together and get your artwork into exhibitions and out into the world---Now.
Like within the next 30 days.
Seriously.
I want you to AMAZE me.
So before I do the
audio program walk-through that goes along with the guide, I need your help….again. (Y'all are always so helpful. Thank you!)
What questions do you have about writing exhibition proposals?
How confident are you in your ability to write a great
proposal?
If you’ve never written an exhibition proposal, why not?
How often do you send out exhibition proposals?
What would you like to hear me talk about in the "How to Craft a Killer Exhibition Proposal" audio program?
Leave your ideas in the comments section. Seriously people--Talk to me.
BIG Love,
-Kesha★
What questions do you have about writing exhibition proposals? What normally goes into one? Show me some examples? Who do I send it to?
ReplyDeleteHow confident are you in your ability to write a great proposal? Erm.. not very.
If you’ve never written an exhibition proposal, why not? I have no idea what I would say or even the kind of places I would send it to. o.O (And doing things blindly is rather scary...)
How often do you send out exhibition proposals? I never have, and I don't know how often one *should* so you tell me! ^-^
Just FYI--I used to run a gallery in New York City. Artists would express an interest in showing at my gallery, and I'd ask them for an exhibition proposal. 90% of the artists NEVER GAVE ME ONE. This is a guaranteed lose for the artist. Don't be one of them!
ReplyDeletePretty Lady--- I had the EXACT same experience. It was totally surreal!
DeleteI can't give you an exhibition if you don't propose one to me.....*confused*
I have sent out a number of proposals-following all the 'rules' I learned in school-to no avail. I have a pretty thick skin but have become very discouraged! What can I do to make a great package?
ReplyDeleteWOW---At least you actually learned how to do it in school! Either my schools never covered this or I was playing hooky that day.
DeleteAt any rate---by next week I'll have lots of answers & examples.
Hi Kesha...my feedback
ReplyDeleteWhat questions do you have about writing exhibition proposals?
-Is there a particular format to use - kind of like a resume/cv? Or should we be creative and develop our own?
How confident are you in your ability to write a great proposal?
-Pretty confident. I've done it before and been successful. I know it's important to tailor to the organization/gallery. I really need some guidance though.
How often do you send out exhibition proposals?
-Not enough. I usually wait for a 'prospectus' or 'call for entry' though I know I could/should be more assertive.
Shannon-- Simple is best.At least that's what's always worked for me.
DeleteWhat questions do you have about writing exhibition proposals?
ReplyDeleteI have no idea where to even start!
How confident are you in your ability to write a great proposal?
Confident once I understand how it works and what is required.
If you’ve never written an exhibition proposal, why not?
No. I don't have a body of work ready yet.
How often do you send out exhibition proposals?
I haven't sent any - how often should I send.
Do you think that I would be able to follow suggestions and advice for the Arab World, too? Sometimes there are cultural/ perspective differences. For me, any advice, help, support I get would be a great step forward.
xx
First things first---if you don't have a body of work completed, there's no point in spending any time thinking about exhibitions or proposals.
DeleteIn terms of cultural differences, there are bound to be differences, but I can't tell you what they are. My experience is based in the US and Europe. That said---my proposals are pretty basic but incredibly thorough.
Another thought---Many curators function on an international level. They aren't to phased by the formatting differences if the CONTENT is compelling.
Questions: Is it appropriate to send an exhibition proposal to places other than traditional galleries? For example, a winery where you've seen art exhibited before, but have no idea how it got there? And, isn't it usual to speak with the venue's representative prior to sending the proposal...aren't unsolicited proposals, like unsolicited manuscripts at a publishing house, just tossed into the round file?
ReplyDeleteConfidence: I think I'd be good at it, with some clear guidelines and examples to show me the way.
Nope, I've never written one, nor sent one out. The only shows I've had were as results of calls for artists or through personal contact, including from a friend who suggested my work to a place where she'd also exhibited hers.
Kesha, I think this is a great idea!
Michelle-
DeleteThat sounds like a PERFECT example of why you might need to craft an exhibition proposal and put it to good use.
I would call first to tell them you're interested and ask them who you should address your proposal to.
Great idea!
I always use artist run galleries, so there is no need to make a proposal. No one is judging... You only need to pay money!
ReplyDeleteArtist run galleries are great---but they generally don't offer a lot in terms of sales or career advancement unless they have a full time staff member who is dedicated to marketing.
DeleteAlso--I generally steer clear of any place that charges a fee to exhibit.
Read this:
http://joannemattera.blogspot.fr/2009/05/marketing-mondays-vanity-gallery.html
im so glad you are doing this! ive got a house full of paintings and no clue where to go or what to say when i get there. I don't even know what questions to ask you. CLUELESS! So I guess that answers the first few questions.
ReplyDeleteBut I would like the program to talk about the different venues that we should be targeting and how to discern the best opps for your type of art. I want to know how to communicate the value of my work being on their walls in words and terms that mean something to them. i want to know how to come off as professional and experienced not naive.
Jennifer- Researching and choosing exhibition venues is a WHOLE other HUGE topic in and of itself! And you aren't the first person to ask about it.
DeleteMaybe that will be the next guide I create. In fact I already have a few ideas. Gimme a month or two and let me see what I can come up with!