I encourage you to stop and think about what it means to be part of a worldwide community of artists.
Even if the proclamation of National Arts & Humanities Month is for the U.S., we know that national boundaries are fuzzier because of the Internet. We feel a kinship with artists around the globe.
Photo by Rachel Graham.
I ask you to spend time this month on these two actions: collaborating and advocating.
Since this is the Art Marketing Action newsletter, let’s look at how this applies to your marketing.
Collaborate
You don’t have to go it alone. Studio time is lonely, but the solitude can and should end at your studio door.
Provide postal support. If you know of other artists that have upcoming events, help each other with addressing and stamping postcards. Also consider swapping email newsletters for editing and proofreading feedback.
Contact someone whose work you admire and organize a 2-person exhibit. The potential audience expands exponentially with each artist in the show, yet you want to remain focused. If two artists each bring a list of 100 people to the effort, there is a potential for 200 sets of eyeballs for your art - just between your small lists.
Another idea - rather than sharing exhibit space, why not collaborate on a single work of art with another visual artist, dancer, writer, or musician? This would stretch you in ways you’ve never imagined.
Advocate
I doubt that asking people to celebrate National Arts & Humanities Month will change their behavior much. You can, however, change your behavior.
• Show up for your local art openings, concerts, and performances. Write about them on your blog and in social media.
• Give a shout out to another artist who has won an award, has an opening, or whose work you admire.
• Say Thank You to the hard-working folks at your local and regional arts councils and artist organizations who advocate every day on your behalf.
You are part of a much larger, vibrant community of artists.
We know that advocating for the arts and humanities is not a month-long activity. It is an ongoing commitment we need to make
You have brothers and sisters in the visual arts, dance, literary arts, and music. Celebrate this!
Are you collaborating and advocating? Tell us about it on the Art Biz Blog:
http://artbizblog.com/