Chapter Five

Chapter 5
Taking the Leap; Building a Career as a Visual Artist


• Once people are interested in your work, you will start with new activities such as
o Forming new relationships with a variety of art professionals
o Learn to deal with contracts and consignment forms
o Make framing decisions
o Ship your art
o Manage deadlines
o Deal with sales
• When in doubt ask
• Don’t be afraid of sounding like a beginner
• Asking questions is the quickest way to learn about the business and about the people you are dealing with as well
• There are specific issues you will want to discuss with the curator
o Date and location of the exhibition
o How many pieces will be included in the exhibition and/or how much space will be available for your work?
o Who is responsible for framing the art?
o Who is responsible for hanging the show?
o If the work needs to be shipped
o Exhibition announcements
o Mailing list
o Will there be a reception?
o Publicity
o Insurance
o Gallery commission
o After the show
• Issues to discuss with a Gallery that wants to handle your work
o The nature of the relationship
o Which work do they want?
o How often can you expect to be given a solo show?
o Is the gallery willing to sign a written contract with you?
o What are the gallery’s responsibilities beyond the exhibition?
o What does the gallery expect of you in return?
• The higher the status of the gallery, the more professional you can expect it to be in its dealings with you
• If you never ask for what you want you will never get it
• Artists usually change galleries several times during their careers; the successful ones negotiate a more favorable arrangement with each move
• Write a follow-up letter after meeting with the gallery or director


The chapter teaches us that we can’t be afraid to ask questions; no question is a dumb one. At some point we are all beginners and we could all use little help and advice.