MALLORY  SHOTWELL

This article defines what an artist studio manager does, how the role differs from gallery representation, assistants, and consultants, and when structured support becomes necessary.

Requests for discounts are common in the creative industries, but they can be fraught with emotional and professional challenges. Artists and makers invest significant time, energy, and expertise into their work, yet the request for a discount can sometimes feel like a devaluation of that labor. Balancing the need to honor your work with the desire to build positive relationships and secure sales requires a thoughtful and professional approach. This article explores the origi

The term “artist” is deeply charged, carrying centuries of cultural weight, social expectations, and philosophical contention. It is a...

In the modern lexicon, terms like “artist,” “maker,” and “creative” are often used interchangeably to describe those engaged in the act...

This article explores the origins of the artist-as-curator phenomenon, examines its value to contemporary art, and outlines how artists approach and enact curatorial roles.

What counts as art is not simply a matter of individual taste or artistic intent but the result of a complex web of social, cultural, and...

For artists navigating the professional world, understanding the difference between a curriculum vitae (CV) and a resume is essential. While both documents serve as tools to showcase your experience and skills, their purposes, structures, and audiences differ significantly. In the arts, where professional trajectories often involve a combination of exhibitions, teaching, and grants, the distinction is even more critical. This article explores the key differences, examines whe

Opportunities for artists—exhibitions, residencies, grants, markets, and community projects—are often presented as pivotal steps toward...

For artists navigating their careers, opportunities often seem like lifelines in a competitive and uncertain industry. Exhibitions, residencies, collaborations, and commissions appear at first glance as unequivocal “yes” moments. But not every opportunity is the right one. Saying yes to everything can dilute your energy, misalign your career trajectory, and even perpetuate a scarcity mindset, a deeply ingrained belief that every chance must be seized because another might not

In the professional art world, insurance is one of the most critical—and often overlooked—components of a gallery contract. Artists...

This article explores the purpose of an inventory list in a gallery agreement

This guide outlines a step-by-step process for crafting an artist statement that effectively conveys an artist's work.

Exhibition piece on mutual support and aid, as part of Artist’s Way Project. Grand Rapids, Michigan In the face of systemic inequities,...

Learn how an artist can remain true to themselves in a consumer capitalist market!

The art world has long been romanticized as a meritocracy, where talent and creativity transcend barriers to determine success. This...

The arts are often celebrated as a space of creativity, expression, and freedom. Yet, beneath this ideal lies a complex web of systemic...

Fear of success is a psychological phenomenon where individuals consciously or subconsciously resist achieving their goals due to the...

Learned helplessness, first studied by psychologists Martin Seligman and Steven Maier in the 1960s, describes a condition where repeated...

Funding in the arts is a critical component of sustaining creativity, enabling artists and organizations to produce work, engage...