What's the best way to build a network with curators and art collectors?
As an emmerging artist its hard to build a network with people in gallery art. Larger galleries aren't very responsive and I find it really difficult to find curators and art collectors through online research.
Replies4
- 10+ years experience tells me that the best way to start out is to network accross, not up. Find emerging curators, new graduates form curating schools, peer artists, start putting on shows yourself, have things to invite people to, and create a scene/hype squad/network of people that can rise together and you'll have more chance of getting the attention and connections down the line. Plus some of those curator friends will get footholds and bring you with them. Document the entire process on social media and your following will also bring clout X
- The truth about proficient art curators and renown art galleries is that they specific target markets - they know what their clients like, what their clients have purchased, and what their clients are looking for i.e. they actively search for artists that fall into those specific catagories. So if you're selling fish, no need for you to waste your time and money on trying to market your fish at the meat market. The most practical approach to discovering which art galleries and which art curators would be interested in your artwork - is by doing a little research yourself. You need to find artists whose art is very similar to your own; you're looking for artists whose work is being advertised and promoted naturally. Make contact with their art curators and ask questions about the artists they are currently promoting - then view the pieces and decide whether or not the curator in question would be interested in seeing your work. Don't be dismayed if you are turned down. This happens frequently. What you need to know is WHY the curator promotes that particular artist. Furthermore, share your work online - on different websites - the more you share, the more people see, the more people talk; the traditional grapevine is still very active and effective. Start locally, in your own backyard - invite friends, family, neighbours round to view your work. You should also consider approaching restaurants to exhibit your work - their terms and conditions are far more favourable than those of art galleries. I wish you all the best - and never, never lose heart!
- @Alexandra (Lex) Hearth I agree ☝️ that’s what I’m also doing right now and being brave enough to put yourself out there ✨
- Hey! I'm not an expert on the art world but I would imagine it's much like music - it's quite a closed world but your network will gradually build from a variety of areas. 1) One way would be going to gallleries and openings regularly - showing an interest in other peoples work and letting them know. 2) Going to conferences, or gatherings of people in that space. 3) Tell anyone and everyone you know what you do and people start to introduce you to others. 4) Twitter can be good for building relationships online (as well as The Dots!) Be forthcoming and vocal in forums and discussion rooms, rather than feeling/acting like an observer or outsider (which I did for a long time). Hope that helps, Lex x
You must sign up or log in before you
add a comment.