Recently, I received inquiries from a few artists, but one in particular, about techniques to promote their art and gain exposure. I want to offer some advice regarding some of the traditional methods that artists use for promoting art work. The following checklist may be helpful for artists to assess the exhibition, sales, and promotional opportunities. I equate promotion, any type of promotion really, to looking for a job and I remember that my Dad would advise that "if you are looking for something, you need to tell everyone you know that you're looking." Take his advice in general and for the artists, try some of these tips, too:

Conduct a Survey

Conduct a "personal survey" to familiarize yourself with the art offerings in your area.

Use the basic resources that are already available to you like community newsletters, mall flyers, phonebooks, artist organizations, elementary school auctions, fundraisers. Prepare an informal catalogue or list of the available venues currently in use throughout your region. Think about places where your friends have shown their work or places that are not conventional galleries or exhibition spaces but have the ability to show art and decorative items under special circumstances (e.g., cafés, coffeeshops, libraries, etc.)

 

Contact local groups

Contact your local park and recreation office or other  community organizations.

They often have events that would include artists works and sometimes even offer artists opportunities to conduct a one day instructional program or seminar. Community art museums are  options (and usually, curators will try to get space for local artists to show their work at least we did when I worked as a curator). Many artists help the educational mission of the museum and show their work within that context before going on to local, regional, and national juried shows or dealership and gallery exhibitions.

 

Be old fashioned

Good, old fashioned hard work and community unity is  always a solution.

One approach is to organize your own event to showcase local or regional artistic talent. Seek out volunteers, ask friends, other artists, and community members to contribute time and/or funding. Try to entice local community organizations or businesses to pitch in and assist the event and its cause. Many community businesses will help support the arts in this manner and if you plan something that also can attract young people and seniors alike, you have a definite winner. Organize a public calendar or prepare a flyer outlining  your art events giving dates, locations, times, and activities. Contact your state and local arts commission for information about grants and other opportunities.