Professional development: exit velocity

I went to Paper's recent exhibition opening which showed Alicija Mrozowska's 'Building in the dark'.  Mrozowska is a recent graduate from BA (hons) Fine art at Salford. Mrozowska was in the year above myself and is currently figuring out life as a recently graduated artist. I went to the show to support a local artist and to find out how she's getting on in her first year as a recent graduate. Mrozowska has already had her first solo exhibition at Home Gallery in Manchester, I was able to have a conversation with her about how well she's doing but the struggles which come with the first year after graduation. Mrozowska has moved to Leeds widening her artistic community yet keeping in touch with the Manchester art scene hense her two shows in two Manchester galleries. I found that Mrozowska was not granted the graduate scholarship opportunity, but she has proven there are other ways to make your own opportunities. 

By  Steff Metal  in  Art Business Advice   >   General Art Advice Joining an arts collective can help you advance your arts career in many ways. A collective will offer networking and collaboration opportunities, events and exhibitions, advocacy, and even shared studio space and discounts off materials. But what if there isn’t an arts collective in your city? Or, what if the ones that DO exist don’t accept new members, or don’t cater to your medium or style? Well, then it’s time to start your own! Here’s how to go about it: First, know what it is! An arts collective is a group of artists, curators and supporters who work together to support and promote the work of every member of the collective. Usually this is through shared workspace and materials, marketing and promotional efforts, advocacy, and collaborative works. Everyone who is part of the collective jointly shares costs, benefits and risks. Second, establish a broad network. In ...

The road to getting into a gallery can seem impossibly rocky with obstacles at every turn. How do you know if you’re choosing the right path and using the right approach? We chatted with a veteran gallery owner,  Ivar Zeile , and turned to the experts for 6 important do’s and don’ts to achieving gallery representation. 1.  Do Respect the Process Galleries get masses of submissions. Asking outright for representation won’t do you any favors. Treat getting into a gallery like applying for a regular job. Research the gallery and learn specifics so you can customize every letter you send. Gallery owners put a lot of stock into their relationships with artists. They want an artist they represent to understand their mission and space. Instead of asking for representation, ask a gallery owner to review your work. Asking for feedback gets you on the gallery’s radar and isn’t too pushy. Be sure to include context and briefly explain your most recent work. And let the gallery...

or young artists, securing gallery representation can seem like an unobtainable goal. But it doesn’t have to be a pipe dream. While it’s possible to go it alone, it’s hard to understate the importance of a supportive, dedicated gallery to your career. The right gallerist doubles as a sounding board while you develop your work, a public platform for your practice,  and  a source of income. But whether you’re entering the art world as a self-taught creative or an MFA graduate, the road to finding representation can be perplexing. It’s no longer appropriate to stride into a gallery wielding your portfolio, expecting to be discovered—so how do you land on the radar of the galleries you already admire and respect? First off, it helps to be honest: Blue-chip institutions like  Gagosian  or  David Zwirner  are not exactly on the hunt for unknown talent. But plenty of vital and exciting galleries on a smaller scale are. Below, we speak with a group of pro...