Topic #1 How do you get an agent?
My wife has been quite successfull exhibiting her art in Australia, however,
using more or less the formula you describe to get an exhibition in the US
has not worked at all. Several artists have suggested she use an agent. What
are your thoughts on this? Do you have any information about contacting an
agent, what to expect etc? Any information would be greatly appreciated;
please respond by e-mail. Thanks in advance.
[bkmontgoery@ucdavis.edu]
1/98
Response #1a
I don't know personally know any active artists' agents. I've known two who gave up because they couldn't commit the time and energy to make it really work. It is not an immediately lucrative profession, and only works if the agent already has good connections in the art world. Some galleries would rather not deal with an agent - the agent wants a commission, but so does the gallery. That may drive the price of the work too high to be marketable. Some agents are affiliated with a gallery. Some specialize in a particular school of art.
I certainly know lots of artists who approach galleries
directly and get shows. . . some make consistent sales, and a few support
themselves through art sales alone. Of course, the time and expense devoted
to self-promotion, entering competitions, and wooing galleries take a real
toll on a working artist. Especially since so many of us are already holding
down a second job. There is less time to create and many more opportunities
to get our egos bruised, or actually get into financial trouble. We all wish
someone would take over the 'business' of selling art and leave us alone
to create it.
If she has the time and energy to do it, I still think
the best way to get gallery shows is to keep sending out slides, contact
gallery owners, show up at openings, enter juried shows, and enter competitions
whose jurors are also gallery or museum curators. Those contacts will eventually
bear fruit. I've also heard from friends and subscribers that some sales
have been made online. I think it's worthwhile to show work in online galleries,
especially the ones that come up at the top of the search engines under 'fine
art' or 'gallery.' Some of those can be reached through Artist Resource,
under Bay
Area Art Tour,
Art
Starting Points, and under
Getting
Your Art Online.
Topic #2 Who would be interested in representing a digital artist?
Do you guys know anyone who would be interested in representing a digital
artist? I am looking for someone to take my digital art and run with it.
I don't have the time to do that but would love to find someone to work with.
All my art is ready for print or can be used for installations in galleries
or for slides. Please e mail me if you have any leads on dedicated
digital art enthusiast with a good sense of business. 1/98
Yours Sincerely, Mejgan Zia [zia@slip.net]
Topic #3 Looking for classes that assist couples in marketing fine art
My husband is a print maker and a painter, we are looking for a group or classes that assist couples in working together on marketing fine art and art related business issues. I have more of a business sense and my husband is the creative one, when it comes to promoting his artwork and marketing we CLASH! Any ideas of groups in SF. -- lvaladez@pinc.org (Lisa Valadez) 3/98
Response #3a I think your search is too couple-specific. ANY
group that would support you in marketing artwork would be of use to you
as a couple OR as individuals. You could BOTH learn and discuss your points
of view with others.
Start with a course or seminar in marketing art -- call
California Lawyers for the Arts and City College's Art Campus at Fort Mason
and see what they have to offer in this area. I was VERY pleased with what
I learned in the Fine Artist and Business course taught by Toby Klayman (author
of The Artist's Survival Manual.) Her class is listed on my site -
it's through Golden Gate University in SF. Sometimes the Learning Annex offers
courses and weekend workshops about this. . . Also, members might respond
with news about art salons, which can become a good support group.
Topic #4 how to find an art agent one can trust?
Do you have any idea how to find an art agent one can trust? I live in S. Florida and looking for someone to rep me. If you have any ideas or suggestions I'd love to hear from you. Thank you kindly. Donna DGolds7733@aol.com
If you readers can recommend an artists' agent or agency, please respond to ArtistEye. Put 'Agents' in the subject area.
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