If you want to turn your passion as an artist into a career, you have to start thinking of yourself as a small business. According to IBISWorld, there was a 3.1% increase in performers and creative artists business in the United States from 2020 to 2021.* Therefore, it’s important to network with this community to increase your success and share your amazing artwork with the world.
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Below are four key tips that you should keep in mind when starting your art business, with commentary from Arizona artists about how these tips have guided them:
Start compiling everything you need as a business owner.
“If it is your dream to pursue your passion as an artist, you need to develop a business plan first. Like any other type of business venture, focus and implement a plan and treat your passion as a daily work schedule.” – Cyn Silva, large-scale canvas painter
“Master the art of organization, bookkeeping and art inventory. If those skills aren’t your forte, hire an accountant or other professional to help you. Don’t forget to save your receipts for taxes! Also, order yourself quality business cards that reflect your brand.” – Keely Finucane, oil and acrylic painter
Create your artist brand and share it online.
“Create a clean website with an online store and keep it updated. Also, take quality photos of your artwork, store them on an organized hard drive and back the photos up. Consider hiring someone if you are not able to get quality photos on your own.” – Keely Finucane, oil and acrylic painter
“The best way to share and promote is to start locally, then use social media to expand your business. Consistently attend upcoming opportunities that benefit your typical interest by sharing or creating your work for the public to view.” – Estevan Curiel, urban graffiti artist
Join networks of artists and build connections.
“I joined and became a member of Scottsdale Arts, ASID American Society of Interior Designers, Artlink, and other artists networks. By joining these groups, I was able to figure out who my market niche was, so I can better promote to them. Networking with other artists is the key to success.” – Cyn Silva, large-scale canvas painter
“Learning how to communicate your art with other artists is the best way to network because we both understand that point of view. Each of us is pushing to meet new heights in our careers and sometimes networking helps gain more exposure for each other’s work. We start creating a network within our area of expertise and become that artist community within our region.” – Estevan Curiel, urban graffiti artist
“Despite the art school mantra ‘I should be in the studio’, some of the most important time spent is probably reaching out and making connections. When you take an active interest in what others are doing in your community, especially outside the art community, you can anticipate others will be inclined to take an interest in your work.” – Joan Waters, metal sculptor and graphic designer
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Most artists are willing to share their tips and experiences. Don’t look at other artists as your competition, but rather as other members of your community. Support each other.” – Keely Finucane, oil and acrylic painter
Be prepared to evolve with your work
“Sometimes it’s best to step back and view the directions your artist career is going in order to revise it. Asking questions to other artists about what they are doing that interests you. Finding a community that fits your style and work ethic to help brand your work. The hardest part is never giving up and continuing to grow through your work.” – Estevan Curiel, urban graffiti artist
“Don’t be intimidated by other artists and how you’ll be received. Your work will progress as you go and develop so remember everyone starts somewhere so don’t feel like you can’t succeed based on others just be consistent and get yourself out there. People will admire your effort and support your progress if you’re driven in your art.” – Ashley Macias, artist specializing in surreal artwork
“Being self-employed means you give up the notion that there is someone or something you can blame things on. At the same time, one must learn how to fail and regroup, then set out again. No one says this is easy, but you are on the path to truly working with yourself and what is real, engaging with the creative essence of life. Sales do not always equal success! Having said this, there are as many ways of being an artist and businessperson, as there are ways of being a human being on this planet. It is important to find what fits for you.” – Joan Waters, metal sculptor and graphic designer
All these Arizona artists have learned a lot by investing in themselves and working with other members of the art community. With these tips, you can join them by transforming your passion for art into a career!
Author: Catrina Kahler is the president and CEO of Artlink Inc. Artlink keeps the arts integral to development by connecting artists, businesses and the community. Founded as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization by artists in 1989, the Artlink name is a guiding principle for the organization, as it supports stakeholders of the arts and culture community, amplifying its collective strength. For more information about Artlink, visit artlinkphx.org/. Connect socially with Artlink on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
