FREE BOOKS | Promoting Art with Integrity can be used effectively in any state.
Only pay for shipping and handing.
This 5″x7″ handbook provides a systematic approach to publicizing the fine-art product and shows how retail-selling tactics can be used without compromising the artist’s integrity or creativity.
- My goal is to help artists:
- find the purpose of their art;
- learn about themselves, through their art;
- gather and sort their info about themselves, their art, and career goals;
- speak intelligently about all of the above.
| | I began researching promotional options for artists in 1983. - Promoting art with Integrity is my fourth book to include:
- the policies, practices and procedures of:
- art galleries;
- art councils;
- art organizations.
My experience in retail sales, including many how-to-sell seminars, ultimately led me to realizing that main stream sales-training techniques can be used to sell my sculpture. - I developed my Five Steps of Promotion by combining my sales training and knowledge of the art community.
- I have been helping artists navigate the business-of-art scene since 1984. I hope you find my decades of research useful tools in your search for success:
- Business-of-Art books
- Lectures
- Workshops
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Suppose you are in an elevator…someone asks, “What do you do?”
Would you have a quick response for this elevator encounter?
Suppose you are with a group…someone asks, “What kind of art do you do?”
Could you keep the conversation, about your art, interesting for an undetermined time?
| | Your Goal is to be prepared! The What-Why-How tab to the left: - Helps you find your Buzz-words.
- It is a sorting system that:
- helps you discover WHY and HOW you create, WHAT you create;
- systematically organizes your note-taking, pertaining to you and your art;
- simplifies your thought-process when writing a resume and statement of work.
- Once you’ve found your Buzz-words:
- MEMORIZE a few short sentences that capture the essence of your art…for the elevator.
- Learn to talk about each piece of your art, for about 2-5 minutes.
- Look inside yourself and feel confident that you can speak intelligently to your public.
TIP: Practice by talking into your phone, microphone, or in front of a mirror. Then play it back, listening for your pause-words “you know, er, um, like, etc.” KEEP AT-IT until you can speak without the “pause-words.” Look at the person/people you are targeting; NOT up at the ceiling or sky (searching for your words). |
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Y
This sorting system organizes your ideas and may give you a new perspective into your past, present, and future.
The Goal:
- To speak about each piece of your art for at least 3-5 minutes
- To talk about:
- WHAT you do; WHY you do it; HOW you do it.
| | Create headings.
Use your phone’s Notes-section to sort the buzzwords and phrases you gather; or write your thoughts on paper and use envelopes to house your ideas. No limit to the number of topics. WHAT - is your subject matter?
- is your medium (material)?
- are your themes?
- are your techniques?
- excites you when creating your art?
- are your goals; are they realistic and attainable?
- are your concerns
- is you art background?
WHY - did you chose the materials you work with;
- are you a painter, sculptor, glass blower, etc;
- did you choose your subject matter, is it personal?
HOW - do you execute your art; the step-by-step process?
- do you resolve your technical issues?
- do you layout your compositions?
- do you handle rejection?
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What should artists do to market their art? | What should artists do to promote themselves?
These questions are answered in Promoting Art with Integrity.
- An artist’s first priority is to create art. Some stop at this level, but for others, the next step is to market and sell their art. To do this efficiently, artists must realize that their art is also The Product.
- This handbook emphasizes the practical measures linking Art to business.
| | Step One: Artistic Creativity & Progress Evaluation - Artists communicate through their art and usually have something special to say.
- Know the difference between your GOOD, BETTER, and BEST artwork.
Step Two: Marketing Preparation - Look honestly at your career; set realistic attainable goals.
- Plan a course of action, have a positive attitude and try not to get discouraged.
- Rejection is part of your reality; be patient, stay objective.
- Give careful attention to the sections on: note-taking, sorting your notes, networking, referrals, quality photographs, portfolio, pricing art for sale, packing and shipping art, and visiting art centers.
Step Three: Exposure Modes
- Six ways to put your artwork into the art market:
- juried shows,
- consignment,
- exhibition spaces,
- the Internet,
- using a consultant, the commission process.
- Before selecting from this exposure listing, take time to review and answer the following questions:
- Do you have a promotional package, with excellent reproductions?
- Do you have your own website, with samples of your art?
- Is your art listed in an art-counsel’s registry or posted on an art organization’s website?
- Do you know your geographical area of interest?
- Do you have a realistic one-five year career plan for you and your art?
- How are you and your art perceived by others?
- You’ve learned the importance of:
- networking and planning your marketing strategy;
- keeping your portfolio current;
- choosing exhibition options;
- make the promotion process work.
Step Four: Selling Techniques - This step concentrates on people skills and details about:
- public speaking for interviews;
- follow-up strategy and follow-up calls;
- record-keeping;
- contractual agreements;
- Lawyers for the Arts.
Step Five: Opening and Sales - Installing the exhibit and planning the opening reception.
- Give yourself time to prepare.
- Have artwork professionally framed.
- be on time and invite critics.
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Art galleries are as diverse as the artwork they spotlight.
How to find-out if you and the gallery are a good match.
- Before submitting your artwork, visit your targeted space in person:
- during an opening reception;
- during regular business hours;
- via the gallery’s website.
| | Six Gallery Categories 1) Commercial Galleries: - Builds art collections for its clients;
- Provides quality space for a 30-day exhibit.
- May not represent the artist past the show’s closing.
- May buy art directly from the artist.
- May take 50-60 % of the sale price.
- Does the gallery director actively promote your art?
- Is the artist represented throughout the year?
2) Cooperative (Co-op) Galleries: - Owned and operated by a group of artists.
- Artists pay dues, share the responsibilities of the gallery;
- exhibit their artwork together.
3. Civic Galleries: - Located in public government spaces and art centers.
- Are run by state, city, and county arts councils;
- usually have art-content restrictions;
- are funded by taxes and private donations.
4) Educational Galleries: - Located on university, college, and school campuses.
- Goals:
- To be an educational resource that augments and enhances the art curriculum.
- To present a diverse program of changing exhibits.
- To provide educational and cultural benefits to the:
- college/ university,
- community,
- art Department.
- Gallery Spaces
- provide well-lit, attractive showrooms;
- most have no art-content restrictions;
- exhibit art that complements their curriculum.
5) Private Galleries: - Exhibition spaces can range from one small wall to a large showroom.
- Spaces are located in restaurants, bars, theaters, bookstores, individual homes, and corporate headquarters.
- Artwork is generally incorporated throughout their spaces.
- More than likely artwork will have art-content restrictions.
6) Religious Galleries: - Religious galleries are located in:
- synagogues,
- churches,
- religious centers,
- designated show rooms,
- lobby and halls.
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Questions for Art Galleries | It may be easier to plan a course of action, if you ask:
| | About the art gallery’s contact info - Names of the Gallery, director, assistant, anyone in authority. Check for correct spelling
- Addresses: street, city, state, zip code; website URL, e-mail address
- Phone: main number, mobile, fax
- Hours of operation
About the art gallery’s policies: - What is the philosophy or goal?
- What is the criteria for choosing an artist?
- Is art limited to a specific medium or style?
- Will the director visit the artist’s studio?
- Will art by unknown, local, or out-of-state artists be accepted for exhibit?
About the art gallery’s practices: - How many exhibits are sponsored per year?
- How far in advance is the schedule; how long is each show?
- What is preferred in a portfolio:
- images on disk, photographs, videos (length);
- resume, statement of work?
- What is the gallery’s commission?
- If art is lent to another gallery, what is the commission split?
- Is artwork taken on consignment?
- Is insurance provided for the art on display? Is insurance provided for shipping?
- Is there a registry of the gallery’s artists?
- Are guest-speaker programs sponsored?
About the art gallery’s procedures: - What is expected of the gallery and artist once an exhibition is agreed upon?
- Is the artist represented beyond the 30 day exhibit?
- Will the director help set the retail selling price?
- Is the artist expected to help install the show?
About the opening reception: - Are the receptions held the same time each month (ex. 1st Friday from 6-8 p.m.)?
- Who pays for refreshments; invitations: paper or emailed, postage?
- Is the exhibit generally reviewed by critics?
About additional information: - What is the gallery’s size;
- how much two-dimensional and three-dimensional art can be displayed;
- are pedestals available for sculpture?
- What year was the gallery established?
- Is the gallery affiliated with an art organization or agency?
- What services and programs are sponsored for visual artists and the art community?
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Questions for Art Organizations | It may be easier to plan a course of action, if you ask:
| | About the art organization’s contact info - Names of the director, assistant, anyone in authority. Check for correct spelling
- Addresses: street, city, state, zip code; website URL, e-mail address
- Phone: main number, mobile, fax
- Hours of operation
About the art organization’s policies: - What is the philosophy or goal?
- Is art limited to a specific medium or style?
- Who can join the group: unknown, local, out-of-state artists?
- How much are dues; how is the revenue used?
- When are members accepted; how many members are in the organization?
- Are group insurance plans available for members (medical or fine art)?
About the art organization’s practices: - What services and programs are sponsored for visual artists and the art community?
- Is an art registry for members maintained?
- Is a newsletter published; how many people receive the newsletter; how is it distributed?
- Is an art gallery sponsored?
- Are guest-speaker programs provided?
- Are juried exhibitions sponsored?
About the art organizations procedures: - What is expected of members?
- How many meetings are there each year?
- How many exhibits are sponsored during the year?
- Can nonmembers participate in the exhibits?
- Does the group fund and operate an art gallery?
- What year was the group established?
- Is the group affiliated with a national organization?
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Questions for Art Organizations | It may be easier to plan a course of action, if you ask:
| | About the art organization’s contact info: - Names of the art organization, director, assistant, anyone in authority. Check for correct spelling.
- Addresses: street, city, state, zip code; website URL, e-mail address
- Phone: main number, mobile, fax
- Hours of operation
About the art organization’s policies: - What is the philosophy or goal?
- What grants are available to artists?
- Who provides the agency’s funding?
About the art organization’s practices: - What services and programs are sponsored for visual artists and the arts community?
- Is an art gallery sponsored by the agency?
- Is a guest-speaker program provided?
- Are juried exhibitions sponsored?
- Are there Lawyers for the Arts groups available in the area?
About the art agency’s procedures: - Is an art registry for visual artists maintained and open to the public?
- What format is preferred when submitting art images: JPEGs, digital photographs, or slides?
- Are a resume and statement of work needed?
About additional information: - What year was the agency established?
- Is a newsletter published; how many people receive the newsletter; how is it distributed.
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Business of Art | Book Reviews (7)
| | Promoting Art with Integrity | Free copies, while they last 1) 2007 | Book lecture at Columbia Art Center, MD | Gallery Director - It was one of our best attended art lectures, ever.
- Thank you for bringing your books, Promoting Art with Integrity, to the lecture. It followed your presentation clearly and presented the information in a practical, easy to understood manner.
- The book’s 5″ x 7″ format is just the right size to carry, clearly written, and user-friendly. It can be picked up and used to answer questions at an instant’s notice.
2) Molly Schmitz | Artist - I just wanted to tell you I got accepted for the first time into a juried art show. A big credit goes to you and your book for helping me to submit the paperwork and portfolio in the proper way!!! Thank you for sharing your experience in this whole art process!!!
3) M. S. | Ceramic Sculptor - I am emerging into the whole business of promoting myself and my art. It helped me greatly to get your perspective on this new life opening up for me. The book is a great companion to your class. I have not read through the entire thing, but I have browsed through it to the necessary sections.
- I will use it as needed in my business. I have it out all the time to refer to. And, as I meet other newbies to the art-world business, I will recommend this LITTLE book.
________________________________________________________________ Promoting Fine Art Books: Baltimore and Maryland | Washington DC and Northern Virginia 4) 1998 | The Washington Post | Arts Beat | Blinchikoff’s Books - Each nearly 200-page book includes chapters on the business of art and thorough listings of local art agencies, organizations, and galleries as well as comprehensive maps of art centers.
- “I looked to see where art lovers could buy art and where artists could sell art,” Blinchikoff said. She included all spaces from “New York-style galleries to a wall in a bookstore.” She hopes her books will help artists “promote their work without compromising their integrity.”
5) 1996 | Dr. Arnold Lehman | Book Foreword | See full review - Nannette Clapman Blinchikoff continues her dedicated service to both our regional community of artists and, indeed, to artists nationwide with her books on Promoting Fine Art.
- Throughout her long career as a sculptor, she has devoted herself to two goals beyond her own art:
- Assisting talented youth in pursuing careers in the visual arts.
- Assisting professional artists through the information gathered and published in her books.
6) Peter Ulrich | Artist | Washington, DC - Thanks for your prompt response to my order for your two resource books for area artists. They are quite amazing and comprehensive!
- I’m enjoying some success as a watercolorist (good sales and acceptances into juried shows). Thus, your resource information is timely and will certainly prove to be useful in expanding my markets. Thanks for creating this fine product…one sale based on the use of these 2 volumes will easily pay for them…a good investment.
7) Elizabeth Bram | Artist | Baldwin, NY - I used your books on Promoting Fine Art in Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, DC for my show at the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC. It was a big decision whether I should do mailings to all the Maryland galleries, even though my show was in DC.
- However, I bought both of your books and sent invitations to everyone. The upshot: I got more responses from Maryland galleries, even though the people were farther away!
- When I drove down to pick up my paintings in DC, I drove to Ocean City, MD to put up another show at the Galaxy Bar & Grill (in your book). The owner bought three paintings! And I had sold one already in DC. Then I stopped in Baltimore, at the World Trade Center (27th floor) to set up another exhibit for next July (this was also from your book). I also heard from Johns Hopkins for an exhibit, but they charge $250!!! I declined.
- I will use the books again to send mailings for my exhibit at the World Trade Center in Baltimore. So, all in all, I am very pleased with your books! Who could know that a restaurant owner in Ocean City would drive 3 hours to DC just to see my show! And that galleries nearby would ignore me. I also got a letter from the Hirschhorn Museum in DC asking to look at my slides. Many thanks for your books.
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