It is important to popularize and add value to your work by building a reputation for yourself. Showing a commitment to the art community makes collectors more comfortable "investing" in your work. It establishes a value $ for your work. "Investing" means more than buying, it can take the form of providing you with materials or paid residencies, grants, monetary prizes and the like.
Art "community" is whatever crowd your work appeals to. There is no one art "community"
This effort to self-promote on your part is necessary and sometimes more important than the work itself. (scary, I know)
Some links for you.
https://www.callforentry.org/index.php
When on a page, read the "about us" for more links to opportunities to build a cv (curriculum vitae).
Bookmark all these links into a folder. Register for these sites and create a new e-mail account for just submissions to help organize your administrative efforts.
Art publishers
local magazine
http://www.arbus.com/
More
http://www.larkcrafts.com/submit/calls-for-submissions/
http://www.newamericanpaintings.com/
http://artjournal.collegeart.org/?page_id=71
Go to the library and write down the names of publications and book publishers, go to their website and look for submission guidelines, follow them precisely or they get tossed out.
Art video world catalog, a good resource for educators and tutorials for working artists
http://www.artvideoworld.com/avw_catalog.html
Something about galleries and dealers:
With the gallery that expects 50%, have an effective conversation that includes this:
"From what I have been told, the marketing and costs associated with selling the work falls entirely on the gallery. Preparing the walls, hanging exhibited work, insuring it, and de-installing the work is also the responsibility of the gallery".
"I will be happy to speak at any openings/closings and speak with collectors who have questions about my work".
"Because of the gallery's experience setting realistic prices, any discounts given will come out of the gallery's cut"
Note: If a client wants to have the work on a trial basis, one week is maximum, it is the gallery's responsibility to transport that work to the potential buyer.
If a commission is obtained through the gallery, meet with the client at their home/business to talk about it, don't let the gallerist art direct as a liason between you and the client. You need to hear their expectations/concerns directly.
If you can't say these words face to face, say "I'll get back to you on that", and e-mail it. Learn to write in an emotionally neutral format. Be concise. Have someone else proof read it.
Something you may want to consider after graduation is forming or joining a cooperative studio. Here is an example of one
http://bigumbrellastudios.com/
in Jacksonville
http://tacjacksonville.org/
Because the economy is bad, there are empty buildings everywhere, you can often work in a group effort to use the space until it sells. Call the real estate company's name on the door and say, "that building could use some life and visibility, to be an active space when potential buyers come through. I have a group of Flagler artists who would liven it up by using it as a cooperative studio, and host open houses to show our work...." "We realize the opportunity ends if the building sells or is leased".
I hope this is helpful, Angela
