How would you go about getting recognized in the art community?

Question

Blogs? MySpace? YouTube? Street fairs? Galleries? Send postcards? Sue

Answer 1

The critical thing is to be not all over the place, but to have a "strategy" in place. There is such a thing as over-marketing or being available at the wrong channels, which is why I think you want to know what is the best place.

There is no one answer. What is the kind of art being promoted? Who is the audience that the artist wants to connect with? How best to take that art to its right audience?

Strategy will be all about answering that last question.

If you are creating affordable art, you want to be in more public places and connect with more people and be ready to answer a lot of questions. If you want to remain on the high-end of the market, it's best not to be in very public places (physical) and spaces (virtual/ physical) where you will attract public attention and contact that might not suit your taste. I mean if you want more selected attention in terms of the audience's taste or the sheer number of queries and questions that will come your way, do not choose to be all over the Internet. People on Orkut and MySpace/ artist blogs want to connect with you - and if you can't handle all the attention, it might disappoint them.

YouTube is very good idea if you want to make a public statement or show the "process" of your art. You can also run a good old-fashioned ad/ presentation there. Once again, what is your objective? Being on the Internet means lots of traffic and attention, possibly, and you have to have a taste AND a need for it.

Now that I think about your question, you want to be known in the art community itself... a rather select group. That should take time building up; relationships always build over time. You can definitely have a space where to exhibit your work (virtual/physical space) and invite others over to view. But more importantly, build a personal contact. Ask questions, be present at relevant gatherings, "keep in touch." Shake info and knowledge with others. View and comment on their work.

I think FLICKR is an excellent place for you to show your work without spending too much time maintaining a page. But above all, connect with people in the real world. There is no support like the support of local neighbors and friends!

P.S. You've inspired me to ask a question: "Is there such a thing as too much exposure for an artist?"
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aq4No.Sx_kJwma7PJ6txFIrsy6IX?qid=20070124043047AAVs47H

Answer 2

First of all, figure out what your community is. In this time of relative leisure, there are all sorts of groups of people who do and appreciate creative endeavors. Included in this decision are your goals as an artist. Do you want to be doing album cover design? Paintings for family and friends? An eventual solo show at the Whitney?

I am a working artist in New York. I do paintings and film work that shows in galleries and museums here. Getting recognized is basically an act of gaining respect, primarily from your peers (Go to art school or find a community of people at about the same point and of similar thought to you and your development. Look at their work and show them yours. Engage in dialogue, visual and verbal.), and secondarily from the rest of the people who make up your community. In my case, it's gallerists, curators, writers and collectors. It'll be different in different places and with other goals, but as a template, this is a good start.

Always remember, though, no matter what - make work and make work that excites you. Put yourself out there and communicate. At its core, this is what making art work is about in any forum.

Answer 3

Exposure, marketing and public service. That translates to websites, postcards, email notices, show listings, donation of good artwork to a fundraiser auction, getting to know the gallery owners and learnig what THEY want to show (if it don't fit, they won't commit).

Answer 4

I`am bothered with the same question...Art galleries, I guess...Art schools is a good community to be around.

Answer 5

Post your work on as many free sites as you can. www.absolutearts.com allows 4 free images and you can post on their blogs.

www.artfaceoff.com is free, allows 20 images.