Foundation Center panel discussion on portfolios
A summary of the Foundation Center " Developing Your Arts Portfolio for Galleries and Juried Shows" with Kevin B. Chen ( Intersection for the Arts- http://www.theintersection.org/), Deborah-Jean Harmon (Hang Art Gallery - www.hangart.com), Kerri Stephens (Varnish Fine Art - http://www.varnishfineart.com/), and moderator C. Davis Fischer (Foundation Center www.foundationcenter.org/sanfrancisco).
What do you look for?
Applicants often don't do enough research - be sure to understand the curatorial vision or visit the gallery and know what they show. Present a concise artist statement, biography, check for typos, have cover letter and helpful to have in addition to the images, a contact sheet with the images.
About artists statement:
Think about what do you want to convey? Why do you make art? Want reader to understand where work is coming from. Have someone outside of art read it and if they understand it, it's probably readable.
About decision making process:
Depends, sometimes one person makes the decision, sometimes a committee. May involve a studio visit, sometimes artists bring work to the galleries. A website is a must! Check out http://www.otherpeoplespixels.com/ - website devoted to creating websites for artists. Includes well designed templates, hosting. If sending CDs, don't bother applying labels because they have been causing problems with inserting into computers, just write with a Sharpie. Also check out http://www.callsforart.com/?gclid=CMuWn6TJq48CFRI9YAodM19XMA which is a call for entries website. http://www.artistsspace.org/ a free database and artist registry.
How do we price art?
Helpful to include that information in portfolio and who the collectors of your work are. It is better to sell your work to get your work out there - so price accordingly. You can always increase your price later. Aurctions are good way to get work out and to gauge how your work is appreciated. Another great website for info and shows in SF http://www.artbusiness.com/
Foundation Center has a resource library open daily M-F 10-5 and till 8pm on Wed.
Questions from the attendees:
Q: how many slides should we send? A: 8 -16 of best work. If only 4 are great, then send 4. Want to see series of work, a unifying factor. Better to wait a a year and work on your series to send the best of the series.
Q: Does art school matter? A: no, work is important part, although it depends. Applications where the written part is important, it may have some value. The advantage of having gone to school is that your art process and making were challenged and the chances are you won't be doing the same thing forever. Galleries want to see the potential for development. Want to see someone who is prolific and will produce.
Q: Having a CV on website important? A: Yes, important to show consistency, even if you've been in group shows only.
Q: How long should you wait before you do follow up? A: depends, 4-6 weeks, can drop an email.
Q: How to have a good studio visit? A: Be nice. Don't waste time and have your work visually accessible. No problems if you show your work in your home, apartment, closet. Be able to talk about your work. Keep older work or work in progress available but not in the way.
Q: Regarding residencies, is it true that often only the first 4 slides are shown during the review process? A: yes, so make sure you put forth your best 4 slides in the #1,2,3,4 position.
Check out http://www.betterphoto.com/home.asp info on taking good photos. Having professionals take slides is great if you can afford it. Recommend Don Felton of Almac Camera.
Good to have jury shows in CV but be choosy. Look for local opportunities. It can get expensive especially if you have to be responsible for shipping to and from the site. Need to think if it is worth it.
Hope this info helps all you artists out there. Happy International Artists Day!
What do you look for?
Applicants often don't do enough research - be sure to understand the curatorial vision or visit the gallery and know what they show. Present a concise artist statement, biography, check for typos, have cover letter and helpful to have in addition to the images, a contact sheet with the images.
About artists statement:
Think about what do you want to convey? Why do you make art? Want reader to understand where work is coming from. Have someone outside of art read it and if they understand it, it's probably readable.
About decision making process:
Depends, sometimes one person makes the decision, sometimes a committee. May involve a studio visit, sometimes artists bring work to the galleries. A website is a must! Check out http://www.otherpeoplespixels.com/ - website devoted to creating websites for artists. Includes well designed templates, hosting. If sending CDs, don't bother applying labels because they have been causing problems with inserting into computers, just write with a Sharpie. Also check out http://www.callsforart.com/?gclid=CMuWn6TJq48CFRI9YAodM19XMA which is a call for entries website. http://www.artistsspace.org/ a free database and artist registry.
How do we price art?
Helpful to include that information in portfolio and who the collectors of your work are. It is better to sell your work to get your work out there - so price accordingly. You can always increase your price later. Aurctions are good way to get work out and to gauge how your work is appreciated. Another great website for info and shows in SF http://www.artbusiness.com/
Foundation Center has a resource library open daily M-F 10-5 and till 8pm on Wed.
Questions from the attendees:
Q: how many slides should we send? A: 8 -16 of best work. If only 4 are great, then send 4. Want to see series of work, a unifying factor. Better to wait a a year and work on your series to send the best of the series.
Q: Does art school matter? A: no, work is important part, although it depends. Applications where the written part is important, it may have some value. The advantage of having gone to school is that your art process and making were challenged and the chances are you won't be doing the same thing forever. Galleries want to see the potential for development. Want to see someone who is prolific and will produce.
Q: Having a CV on website important? A: Yes, important to show consistency, even if you've been in group shows only.
Q: How long should you wait before you do follow up? A: depends, 4-6 weeks, can drop an email.
Q: How to have a good studio visit? A: Be nice. Don't waste time and have your work visually accessible. No problems if you show your work in your home, apartment, closet. Be able to talk about your work. Keep older work or work in progress available but not in the way.
Q: Regarding residencies, is it true that often only the first 4 slides are shown during the review process? A: yes, so make sure you put forth your best 4 slides in the #1,2,3,4 position.
Check out http://www.betterphoto.com/home.asp info on taking good photos. Having professionals take slides is great if you can afford it. Recommend Don Felton of Almac Camera.
Good to have jury shows in CV but be choosy. Look for local opportunities. It can get expensive especially if you have to be responsible for shipping to and from the site. Need to think if it is worth it.
Hope this info helps all you artists out there. Happy International Artists Day!
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