For Artists: March 9 Talks on How to Market, Work with Exhibitors

The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County issued the following news release, slightly adapted here:

Connecticut visual artists are invited to attend two career development workshops on improving marketing skills and working with art exhibitors as part of the "Make.Art.Work., Career Strategies for Visual Artists" program.

The workshops will take place at the University of New Haven on Saturday, March 9, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Both will provide learning, career advancement and networking opportunities throughout the day.

Jackie Battenfield, artist and author of The Artist's Guide: How to Make a Living Doing What You Love, will be the featured speaker in the morning workshop.

Jackie Battenfield's workshop, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., will identify the essential networking and promotional tools used by artists, followed by a look at the steps required to develop a marketing strategy based upon one's art and individual goals.

Afternoon workshop

The afternoon session, from 1:30 to 4 p.m., will bring together a panel of arts professionals to teach artists how to work with exhibitors.

That workshop will bring participating artists face-to-face with gallerists, curators, and non-traditional venue managers. Presenters will include Sophia Gevas, Silvermine Art Center; Helen Kauder, Artspace, and independent curator Deborah Frizzell. 

These experts will share an abundance of information, including the most common obstacles that artists create for themselves; and what they are looking for in the artists they choose to represent. Participants will walk away from this event with a full download of knowledge that will clarify the steps needed to successfully secure exhibitions.

To register or find out more

Artists may choose to register for one or both workshops. Tickets are $28 each or $56 for the full day. Boxed lunch tickets are an additional $10. 

Visit MakeArtWork.org to register as well as for additional information and directions. This event is expected to sell-out, so pre-registration is suggested. 

This workshop is part of a professional development series designed to support visual artists in Connecticut who are actively showing and selling artwork in pursuit of a professional career as an artist.

Later workshops

Connecticut artists may register for four additional workshops presented over the next four months, March through June 2013. Each of the remaining workshops will be offered multiple times, in Fairfield, Hartford and New Haven—artists choose the venue that's right for them.

Upcoming workshop topics include critical technology skills in March; financial management in April; pricing your work and funding your art career in May; and making a living with your art skills/hybrid career opportunities in June. Enrollment will be limited to ensure the individual needs of participating artists are met.

Make.Art.Work., Career Strategies for Visual Artists, is presented by the Arts Council of Greater New Haven, Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County, Greater Hartford Arts Council, with support from the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation.

For more information contact Jeanne Thomma, Program Coordinator, at Jeanne@makeartwork.org.