Professionalize Your Studio Practice with Business Training

Increasingly, artists are being asked to professionalize their art business, but as Cristina DiChiera so aptly recognizes, “In some instances, combining arts and business can be putting a square peg in a round hole,” but it doesn’t have to be with the right resources and training.In this hour-long interview, Cristina talks about her career creating and implementing business workshops for artists with the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts and Mass MOCA, and her recent shift to Visual Arts Development Manager at Brown University. She underscores the importance of tapping resources at the local level through arts councils, professionalizing business practices, and incorporating them into studio time. With the advent of technology and the internet, it has never been easier or more imperative that artists take full advantage of the resources available to them and craft an art business that is sustainable through their artworks sold. She also gave us insights into using crowdfunding as a marketing and fundraising tool and how to choose between grants, competitions, and residencies.Advice for our Business Accelerator Program on how to run a good business workshop for artists:Glean topics from artists themselvesUnderstand the artist’s’ goalsGive good overview of the topic/overwhelming overview (make it brief)Tease out each person strength – suggest areas where they can start to run their own affairsRespect the time of participants – want to see artists succeedService providers are responsible to provide value in our workshopsArts organizations as a tool for artists to up their business gameLearn more about CHF’s Business Accelerator Program and how you can participate.Artists and organizations are increasing their awareness for business training:Increased ease of usability for social platformsArtists have an increased capability to be their own marketing engineEvolution in business to incorporate a more creative approachArts have started to change the way we perceive and understand businessArtist’s approach problems in a different way that others might not consider – this is a benefitMuseums vs. Arts CouncilsTechnology as a catalyst in this shift toward business:More flexibility to manage their own affairsArtist as marketer and business personRelationships shift between artist and collectorRelationships shift between artist and galleryUniqueness of the art professional:Their business and products are a deep reflection of themselvesCustomers are intrigued by the artist, their background, and the details of their processThe actual work is about connection with an audience and building their marketMaking crowdfunding productive:Set attainable financial goalsTo succeed, the artist must dedicate a specific period of time to promote the projectAn artist should think of it as a challenge to connect with people, tell their story, and get an audience excited about the project.Crowdfunding as a step toward becoming marketing savvyGrants, competitions, and residencies – how to choose?Applying for competitions, grants, and fellowships should be a part of an artist’s professional practice.Residencies are about “getting out of your current environment to dedicate your time to your artwork”Buyer beware:...