Never Settle in Your Art Career

Artist Podcast

In this 40 minute interview, the listener will learn about building and maintaining a commercial mindset, the importance of networking and marketing, while creating pieces you love. As a bonus, learn about the CHF Art-Business Accelerator™ Program and the importance of combatting sexism and racism within the art industry.

Funding your passion:

  • Use existing networking mechanisms, such as your gallery
  • Exploring your artistic interests while creating a sustainable and well-funded product
  • Always be willing to sell your works independently of the gallery network through commissions, local events, social media, and email newsletters
  • Subject matter does not determine salability – there’s someone for everything

Branding:

  • Artists as inventors
  • Maintain the integrity of the archival qualities of your work
  • Document the processes and don’t be afraid to share with other artists and your audiences
  • Remaining authentic in your work: “The uniqueness of my brand is something that I actually don’t worry about”
  • “Create what you love but balance that with what will also sell”

Marketing:

  • Art fairs as an opportunity to put your works in front of national and international audiences
  • Utilizing demonstrations to show techniques and processes
  • Residencies vs. awards

Crossing-over from commercial art to a fine art career

  • Seeing through the eye of a graphic designer (commercial art)
  • “Insanity is a requirement,” only requires small doses
  • “Don’t give up your day job until you have some indication that your work will sell, otherwise you might starve.”
  • “I do not change my art to cater to what might sell” but it’s okay to have a commercial attitude

Arts Education and its influences on the studio practice:

  • “I’ll invent an exercise [for my students] that will lead to a whole series of new artworks for me or vice-versa”
  • “Not only does teaching keep my fundamental skills sharp, it also helps me articulate my thoughts”
  • “Teaching balances the solitude of the studio by giving me a socially gratifying experience”
  • “At this stage in my career, I can make as much money from selling art as from teaching that same amount of time.”
  • “Teaching gives me contact with new ideas that are very valuable.”
  • Demonstrations vs. Teaching

Business Accelerator Program & Grants:

  • Career-focused grant program
  • As a pilot program, the artists participating are able to collaborate with the CHF team to form the program
  • Lessons learned: importance of social media marketing to grow your business

How to Sell More Art

Sell More Art

Sign up (free) for an introductory course for professional artists: Sales Strategies for Growth.

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Daniel DiGriz
Daniel DiGriz is Director of Audience Development & Educational Programming. He's co-founder of enterprise consulting firm Free Agent Source Inc.. He is Corporate Storyteller and Digital Ecologist® at MadPipe which provides sales enablement and campaign direction to various firms. His background in Fortune 500 life is in sales, education, and technology. Daniel is a musician, storyteller, and karateka. His personal website is DiGriz.com.

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