Tools & Resources for Working Artists
by Stacy Huggins
One of the most challenging aspects of pursuing a career in the arts is the need to be relatively self-sufficient.
Most self-employed artists don’t have a marketing team, human resources, or benefits. No complaints here, because there are so many tangible and intangible perks to being self-governing, but finding useful tools and resources can be challenging, especially for the rarified mind of an artist.
SPRINGBOARD FOR THE ARTS
This Minneapolis-based organization is an arts-dedicated nonprofit that provides real-world tools for working artists and arts orbs. We highly recommend their free, online toolkits. There is a caveat: “No single toolkit is a silver bullet, local adaptations are always encouraged and we believe that these projects work best when people work in partnerships.” This brilliant and necessary counsel is often referred to as ‘managing expectations.’ Their toolkits cannot solve all of your problems, but they sure can help. And there is a wide variety of toolkits on genuinely helpful topics. If nothing else, sign up for their newsletter to stay on top of pertinent happenings in the national field.
springboardforthearts.org
springboardexchange.org
I’D RATHER BE IN THE STUDIO
Who wouldn’t? No artist wants to think about crafting newsletters or posting on social media when they could be painting/sculpting/writing/etc. But it is 100% necessary and unavoidable, so you might as well embrace it, because no one else will ever be as good at telling your story as you. Check out Alyson Stanfield’s book I’d Rather Be In The Studio for excellent marketing tips that will help you convert interested viewers into quantifiable income.
by Stacy Huggins
From ART MAG 2016 Summer Issue
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Dr. Leo Twiggs: Paying Tribute
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Sussan Sanavandi: A Color Story
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