CAREER MANAGEMENT
© Janet Simpson
Basic information artists need to professionally manage their own art career.
1. First of all DO YOUR WORK. With that said, organizing your career should help you be able to stay focused on your artwork while you are in the studio.
2. Keep track of your work
a. You need a system to allow you to identify each piece of artwork you make
i. Give each work a unique id number: this number can link it to the digital file you
create to document it
ii. Document title, media, size & date
iii. Document different styles and subjects
iv. Document location (studio, exhibition) and if sold (to whom)
v. You may also want to record where you have shown the piece
b. You must have visual documentation of your work
i. Slide, digital file, postcards
3. Document your work. Quality images are essential for any use
a. Portfolio images. for curators and galleries. - slides or digital files on CD
b. For reproduction - postcards
c. For publicity - images for reviews
4. Your “Packet”
a. Written Materials include your cover letter (the function is to introduce yourself and to
explain why you are writing) and your resume (the function is to provide easy access to
information about your career)
i. Name on every page and number pages
ii. First page should have complete contact information, education
iii. Format to fit the use such as for an exhibition (the exhibition record should be
prominent with current first) or for jobs (focus on work experience with current first)
iv. Make it easy to read
b. Artist’s Statements (the function is to convey information about your artwork)
i. Be mindful of who are writing for, i.e curators, buyers, or general audience
ii. Write in your “voice”
iii. Artists statements should clarify. Keep it simple and direct
iv. Avoid comparisons to historical artists and interpretations of your work that could
easily be disputed
v. Your statement should provide information that is helpful to understanding your
thinking. Explanation of your technique can be helpful if it is unusual and important to
your work
c. Visual Documentation
i. This can be slides, CD with PowerPoint Presentation, jpegs, even photographs
ii. Images must be well organized
d. Label everything with your name and contact information
e. SASE is your best shot to get your portfolio returned to you but is not a guarantee
5. Websites. Every artist needs a website
6. Approaching Galleries
a. Galleries usually show certain types of work or artists. Make sure your work fits.
b. Galleries generally have a system for reviewing portfolios. Find out what it is and adhere
to it. Make an appointment with the Director/curator if possible.
c. Visit the galleries and become familiar with the work they show. Find out if the gallery has
a good reputation. If possible, talk to artists who show there.
d. If possible get someone with an existing relationship with the gallery to introduce you.
7. Consignment Contracts. Consignment is an agreement by the artist to allow an agent (gallery, designer, art consultant) to sale the work for the artist. In this agreement the agent does not own the work. The artist retains ownership. Copyright and reproduction rights are reserved by the artist.
a. Basic contract function
i.
State who is making the agreement, (artist and buyer/gallery, etc).
ii. Identify artwork by title, medium, size, and description if necessary.
iii. Value, commission, timeframe for sales. Value may be retail or wholesale, or it may
be the set selling price or a minimum price. The commission the agent is to receive
and/or
what amount is to be paid to the artist should be specific. Determine the
structure for discounts, if any, and who takes the discount. The time frame for
payment to the artist should be specific.
b. Other items
i. Term or duration of contract, usually a specific length of time
ii. Exclusivity, whether or not the agent is the exclusive representative for the artist
iii. Insurance
iv. Responsibility for loss or damage
v. Promotion
vi. Reproduction
c. Before you leave any work at gallery have a signed and dated agreement
i. It is perfectly OK to alter an agreement or bring your own
ii. Negotiate a deal that works for you
iii. If you have any doubt about the terms of an agreement have an attorney review it
8. A Bill of Sale is a record of the transaction for both the artist and the person buying the artwork indicating what has been sold, to whom, when, and for what price. A bill of sale is essential for tax preparation. Always make three copies including a receipt for the buyer, one for a file of sales for you, and one for your client information records.
9. Pricing
a. Do some research. What are artists at the same career level are pricing their work for.
b. Do not price your work by emotion. Pieces of the same size and media should be the
same price. Don’t price pieces that you like better higher.
c. Do price work reasonably and consistently
d. Raise prices as demand increases but by small increments
e. Keep a range of prices with some pieces at “entry level” pricing
f. Sell at a “retail price”
10. Customer Relations
a. Mailing List including name, address, city, state and zip code, email address,
telephone number. File formats: plain text, spreadsheet or database. Contact your list at
least once a year
b. Client Information File. Make notes about purchases and interests. Use this information
to let clients know about special opportunities, like receptions, previews, or private sales
events. Keep one copy of Bill of Sale in the client file
11. Preparing your work for exhibition. Your goal is a good presentation, the safety of your art and the viewer, and the ease of installation.
a. Framing or making exhibitions display ready protects your work. Use only acid-free
materials. Use only white or natural mats.
b. Shipping. If work will return have instructions for unpacking and repacking on outside of
carton. Protect your work wrap in plastic, bubble wrap. Pack so work will withstand a 3 foot
drop.
12. Keeping track of your expenses and income
a. Well-organized records are needed to prepare federal and state tax returns
b. IRS does not require a specific bookkeeping system, but you will be expected to prove
your income and expenses. Artists are entitled to take tax deductions for business
expenses, including expenses related to transportation. IRS has three years to audit a
return, so keep all relevant documents for at least that long
c. Maintain the record keeping system on a regular basis
d. Sales File. Keep all of your Bill of Sales here, organized chronologically.
e. Other art income such as prizes or honorarium fees for services.
f. Expense File. Your business records should state who was paid, what the payment was
for and when the payment was made. The following documents often answer all three of
these questions: sales receipts, credit card slips, cancelled checks.
g. Enter your income and expenses on a monthly report. Staple receipts, credit card slips
and cancelled checks to report