BUSINESS SKILLS FOR ARTISTS

There is no single pathway to being an artist and talent is never enough so this seminar has been developed to provide you with the essential skills needed to navigate in the commercial art world.

Areas covered:

*                How to present yourself and work to the Gallery/dealer

*                Marketing you and your work successfully

*                How to get the press on your side and get ahead of the competition

*                Communicating to a wider audience

*                Financial growth potential and realistic time frame.

*                The artist, the secondary market and profile building.

Limited to 15 places

Fees £40 per place

HOW THE GALLERY SYSTEM WORKS

This workshop introduces you to the commercial gallery system and how it works. It will help you identify what a commercial gallery/dealership is looking for in both an artist and his/her work. It will show you how to get from the drawing board to the gallery by turning your ideas into commercially viable works for sale and collection.

Areas covered:

*                Producing killer content and slick production methods.

*                Identifying the correct gallery for you and the correct stable

*                How to get beyond the group show and progress to the solo exhibition

*                What makes a gallery/dealer cherry pick certain artists and
groom them for success.

*                Identifying the formula and applying it without compromising the idea
and final product.

*                What a gallery/dealer will offer the artist and how a career is developed
and sales structure is implemented

*                The artist, the gallery, art fairs and museum opportunities

*                Who are the 'movers and shakers', who moves the market and how it is done        
 

Limited to 15 places

Fees £40 per place

FUNDING AND SPONSORSHIP

This workshop is an introduction to funding and sponsorship opportunities. It will cover how to structure successful funding/sponsorship bids and it will show you how to manage the process from start to end.

Areas Covered:

*       Identifying funding organisations

*       Structuring successful funding bids

*       Assessing your capacity

*       Managing the process from start to end

*       What not to do!

Limited to 15 places

Fees £40 per place

CREATING ACTIVITY AND INCOME STREAMS  

This workshop highlights how to create different income streams and how to survive in the commercial art world. There is an enormous difference between being able to talk about your work well and just being pushy or opportunistic. Being able to convey artistic or intellectual information and question it, forms part of the mechanics of becoming an artist, but the other part is doing the right thing, at the right time and in the right place, as well as meeting the right people. As an artist you will need to know your market and your worth and how to turn your talent into commercial opportunities. 

Areas Covered:

• The ability to talk about your work.
• The ability to engage in professional relationships within the arts.
• A basic understanding of how the art industry works – know what you are operating within.
• Range  of  opportunities available
• Sources of information

• Identifying aims and objectives. 

• Creating a workable and realistic schedule of activity.

• Creating different income streams and activities spread over a workable timeframe
• Structuring activity to satisfy aims and objectives
• Future planning  both strategic and financial

Limited to 15 places

Fees £40 per place

HOW TO SELL YOURSELF

So if you manage to get that opportunity, that contact you wanted or that meeting with the gallery you admire. How are you going to close the deal? This workshop covers making presentations, knowing your own potential, long term relationship building, how to go the extra mile, the importance of research. Talent is never enough.  It's about first impressions, research, pitching, presentation, knowing your market and your own potential. It's about networking and long term relationship building.

Areas Covered:

*                The Importance of Selling

*                Unique Selling Points/Knowing Your Own Potential

*                Sales guidance/rules

*                Presentations

*                Follow-Through

*                Strategic Planning/Being a self-marketer

Limited to 15 places

Fees £40 per place

UNDERSTANDING COPYRIGHT AND IP

This seminar will help you to understand copyright and IP, how to use it, protect it and earn from it. The law sets parameters for who owns copyright, how long the protection lasts, and how to buy, sell and license copyright works.

Knowing the basics about how copyright functions is essential for all professional artists. Copyright provides protection for anyone creating work, enabling them to control use of the work, be credited with creating it, and earn from it.  

IP rights are the most valuable assets in business transactions including capital raising, secured finance, and mergers and acquisitions – whether you create IP or use IP created by others, or both – you need to understand your rights and responsibilities in order to maximise your chances of success.

Limited to 15 places

Fees £40 per place

MARKETING AND PR STRATEGIES

Many artists are daunted by the thought of public relations. PR is generally recognised as a vital part of the success of any endeavour or business venture and is a vital vehicle in attracting a gallery, buyers and positive reviews to you and your work. This seminar will show you how to market yourself and your work and how to implement and use PR strategies to your advantage.

*                How to produce an artist's statement, biography and CV

*                How to write a press release

*                How to find press contacts and how to approach the press

*               How to document your work in different formats and the best way
to send out to interested parties.

*                Time management and press deadlines

Limited to 15 places

Fees £40 per place

SETTING UP AND LAUNCHING AN EXHIBITION

This workshop will show you the practical elements involved with organising an exhibition. You will be guided through the processes involved from the initial concept and research, through to agreements, layout and the hanging of artworks. You will also be advised on insurance, public liability and health and safety requirements.

Limited to 15 places

Fees £40 per place

PORTFOLIO PRESENTATION

This workshop is for anyone who has completed a HSA Diploma course or who is thinking of applying for a degree. It is also useful for artists who want to present work to a gallery. It will provide you with an opportunity to work in an intensive, focused way to prepare your portfolio and practice your presentation skills. With help from your tutor, you will identify your strengths and weaknesses, passions and influences to develop your portfolio to your specific requirements. A group tutorial will enable you to discuss your progress and present your ideas in a clear and concise manner. The focus on the exchange of ideas with fellow students will be an integral part of this workshop. There will be a chance to practice interview and presentation techniques. 

Limited to 6 places

Fees £40 per place