Hello artists & art lovers!
Since all of our events have been postponed due to Covid-19, I’ve had a little extra time to do some digging around in the AP archives. Below is a selection of the most helpful and relevant information that has been digitally buried over the years. If you have anything to add or if you’ve got any other tips, tricks or hacks up your sleeve, feel free to email info@artspay.org or shoot us a message on any of the socials and I’d be happy to share them in a blog (and give you credit of course!)
What does “exhibition ready” mean?
Artwork using wet mediums must be dry, and where applicable, sealed to prevent smudging.
Various kinds of fixatives to seal art are available at Curry's Artist Supplies in Waterloo + check out Tutorial: Using Fixatives on your Artwork.Artworks must comply with the standards of the gallery (i.e. no harsh smells, fumes, tripping hazards)
The gallery or venue will tell you their preferred hanging method for wall works. If they don’t provide instructions, it is safe to assume that all two dimensional works should be prepared for hanging using a strong, secure wire system to hang on a hook.
ArtsPay Artists provide Framing skills, and local ArtsPay Artist recommended businesses can provide these services: King Framing + Profiles in Art
For sculpture, digital work, or any other work that is not simply hung on the wall, make sure you have communicated your preferred installation method with the gallery so you know what they can provide and what you might need to rent, build, borrow or purchase .
What does “body of work” mean?
A body of work is a collection of artwork that represents a cohesive concept, style or technique. Viewed as a body of work, these art works should build on each other to indicate a particular artistic focus and thematic development. A body of work can be comprised of visually disparate individual works if the artists provides a strong concept for the viewer to read.
When submitting a body of work to a show, consider whether or not your conceptual statement will be available to viewers and how different arrangements of the collection might alter meanings or perceptions. While it might not always be necessary to submit the maximum amount of images to a call, it is usually good practice as it will provide the jury with more context and insight into your work. If your body of work includes a variety of mediums, consider the installation requirements for each work, and the historical connotations of the various installation at your disposal. For example, placing a small sculpture on a white plinth references the museum, the artefact and elevates the importance of an object. If these connotations do not add to your overall concept, it would benefit the body of work to consider other options.
How can I get paid for my art?
Always ask if there is an artist fee before agreeing to participate.
Promote peer-to-peer transparency. If it's a group show, find out who the other artists are or contact people who have worked with that institution before and inquire about how or what their negotiations were. Likewise, if you're contacted by a culture-producing colleague or peer with questions regarding payment and negotiations, be open, honest and transparent. The old adage that 'knowledge is power' is the truth, and the more we support each other, the stronger our community will be.
Become familiar with the CARFAC fee schedule
When applying for grants, make sure you allocate enough money to pay yourself for the time it takes to make your work
Art$Pay may be able to assist or advise you.
Helpful links:
10 Simple Customizable Invoice Templates Every Freelancer Should Use
Invoice Like a Pro: Desgin Examples and Best Practices
Dealing with Clients Who Refuse to Pay
How to Draft a Freelance Contract
Renegotiating the Contract (And Other Tales of Horror)Get those tax deductions!
CRA Rules, Tax Info - HST, Canada Revenue Rules- taxes and art income Official Guide for Artists on Canada Business Ontario Tax Deductions and Other Details That Artists in Canada Should Know
What is a “CV”?
A CV or curriculum vitae is an overview of your artistic professional history and achievements. The Hamilton Arts Council has a fantastic resource for creating your curriculum vitae: Stephen Narr, "WRITING YOUR ARTIST CURRICULUM VITAE", Hamilton Arts Council.How do I write an artist statement?
An Artist Statement should establish context and offer insight into the concepts and the development of your artwork. For example: why was it created, what inspired it, or if it relates to current issues. You might include a short discussion on your technique if unusual or relevant. Be concise, write in plain language in the first person, as if you were describing it to a friend, and avoid “art speak” so that someone without art training can understand. Your artist statement should be between 50 and 250 words long. Less than 50 words makes it difficult to get an idea of your work and over 250 words creates a risk that people might not reading the whole thing.Daniel Blight's "Writing an artist statement? First ask yourself these four questions."
The Art League's "8 Artist Statements We Love"
How do I write my artist biography?
Your artist biography is a short written narrative, usually one or two paragraphs long. The artist biography is usually written in the third person and it is accepted practice to use your last name when referring to yourself. It should only include information relating to your art career. Any personal information you include should only be in there to more fully illustrate your career as an artist. For example, if you make work about childhood memories, it might be useful to indicate where you grew up. If your work does not directly relate to your upbringing, consider leaving that out. The most important information should come first. Professional information might include your education/artistic training, special shows and awards, while the personal might include your background and significant life experiences.
"How to Write Your Artist Bio (In 5 Easy Steps)", Guelph Arts Council
What to do when asked to combine your bio and artist statement?
You may wish to have a short biography and longer artist statement, or vice versa but in total it should not exceed one page. Remember to include your name, date completed, contact information, website and social media if appropriate in your documents. Ask a number of people to edit for spelling and grammar, and to read for clarity of content before printing or submitting. This document may be widely circulated and published.
