Meeting Art on the Internet- How Social Media Increases Your Artistic Opportunities

Mouthful of title, huh!
Several things inspire me to work on this entry.
I have several jobs and many parts have common threads that flow into a relatively unified and cohesive river of life! Some merge as SEO options for artists.

As I am working on grant proposals for two non-profit organizations I work with, RCAC and DADA,  I find that within the narrative I need to qualify the contribution of art to economic prosperity, the significance and existence of the creative workforce in the small towns I'm currently living and working in and ways that collaboration within groups achieve positive effects for social interaction, jobs and an enhanced quality of living. Needless to say, I rely on a thesaurus, urban dictionary and a few other special resources to give this type of narrative a vivid life on a page that easily reverts into a sea of words with too many adjectives.

Some of the common threads I work with are woven into the need to ignite financial rewards. While many artists are working to inspire society, share composition and color, present a personal view and release creative energy, another basic need is income; cash- sales- grant funding- money.

I find the most reward when I have funding for a work I created that someone loves and finds value within the piece's existence--- and they purchase it. I am not as thrilled when someone feels "this will be ok" or "will do" and I get the same price for the piece but there is a great value in the emotional sale of a piece of work. Enter the proper demographic information here.

Building an audience that views your work by choice and not by too-aggressive advertising (ever been trapped in a car with only commercial radio?!!) Blogging, social media and newsletters are a big part of finding that audience. Using Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, Pinterest and other social media can help people connect with you, your work, your exhibits, your sales and your colleagues that also share their work and professional information. With many of the apps that allow linked posts, sharing your info is simplified by cross-posting, scheduling release of posts and managing on your computer and smartphone (a great business investment for artists. I'll share some ways it simplifies your record keeping and more later.)

While I've always learned tons working in advertising jobs (radio, SEOHaus , ODesk  and other search engine optimization firms, realizing that funds keep your art alive, fresh and a productive part of everyday life as an artist connects these business approaches to realistically working as a productive artist. Whether you take this part of your art production on yourself (the whole concept is very visual and remains interesting to find out how online networking links to  the many ways art works in society) or find a professional in the area to maintain your connections, an audience may be waiting to find you. Throw them a bone! 

Not a Real Job... Feels Like Real Work!

I have this conversation a lot... so when are you at work? Where do you work? When are you getting a real job?

Honestly, it is rare that I am not at work, though work is a bit nebulous lately. I'm not alone in the economic challenges that everyone has and I've always had more than one job. They all meet particular needs for me, and none are in the same location! I drive a lot. I think about now, I can possible add "mapping skills" to my resume!!!

Working at the Arts Council has been very rewarding. There are a lot of details to follow up on, my marketing and programming skills are really put to the test. Possibly one of the most difficult pills for me in this one is having to be a public person. It is important for my position to be prominent, productive, integrated and present in a variety of situations. We use public funds, are constantly fundraising, work with a variety of other community organizations and while everyone enjoys the arts not everyone understands the depth that the arts play in all paths of life. The creative economy includes films, advertising, marketing, music, performance, visual arts, crafts, visual representation (how your mind includes the information presented), journalism and arts education. A productive arts community will attract new businesses, support established commerce and housing, create innovative approaches to the workforce and support a healthy environment for neighborhoods. There is a lot of data to support these facts and I have most of these bookmarked on my computer for sourcing in grantwriting, speeches and presentations, workshops and any political schmooze opps! And Rockingham County is no exception to any of the data. I believe this rural county can benefit from more inclusion and recognition of the Arts Council and the central support of the RCAC for the county. Some of the arts organizations remain competitive but as the years have progressed and there have been more collaborative efforts, i believe everyone is benefiting and any divisions are becoming very gray and fuzzy.

Handwoven Scarf on the loom at my studio.

My studio has been a haven for so many of my projects though lately studio time has been absorbed by my term as board president of the Art District. The location of our studio has been an important part of the WinstonSalem arts community. I believe in the process of group organizations and DADA, the Downtown Art District Association, and the community is coming together, the organization is in compliance now and the committees have taken on good projects with strong initiative.

Marbled papers drying

And the side jobs. Teaching is that now, though I still enjoy it as much as ever. The DADA Collective should be much more productive to continue working in schools with underprivileged and underserved groups- time to get those grant proposals together! Adding DADA Collective adult classes will be great fun too. And working with the POWAR! positive graffiti project is something I am really excited to have on my calendar!  The Mixed Media classes at the Art Alliance has been very inspiring.. I've been fortunate to have wonderful students, small classes and and enthusiastic atmosphere in this one!

Something new, along side the grantwriting, I've taken on some part-time work with a Search Engine Optimization company. The writing work  for SEOHaus has been very different. While I used to write for radio- advertising, press releases, commercials, etc. there are specific parts to this writing that makes it very much like a puzzle. And I do like puzzles! Specific words are used, different subjects are part of the surprise (I've learned about things I never knew were there!) and it's been a great way to work on my writing skills. And listening to the whole process of development from the sales staff has been a real treat. When working in radio, the sales staff was so competitive and over-stressed. This sales group is almost always polite, helpful and friendly. That makes a huge difference. I've taken a kind of leave for a bit and hope they'll still need help in March when the grantwriting is done.

So yep, I do work. I do have bills to pay and I do my best, and since it is Wednesday I'll be in WinstonSalem at the studio weaving, going to meetings and working on Art District stuff. Thursday and Friday, back at the Arts Council. And in the mornings finishing up the last assignments I have for the 'Haus.

Full weeks for sure, but I did take off "work" yesterday afternoon and had a great time for my birthday. Nothing like a Quentin Tarentino movie to poke reality! That was a lot of exploding goo!!! 

Most of us that work in the handmade/handcrafted art world feel the tsunami start building up around September and about now you realize the holiday thing is behind you. Now we know this is a career choice; it is exhilarating, fun, social and raises the cashola that takes you through the first and sometimes second quarter of the year. All good, all rewarding, all the biggest energy drain short of having a tribe of kids... try doing both craft shows and kids. Another conversation!!!

Most of the artists I've been chatting with are feeling good about the upcoming year... less sales but better sales. Sounds spazzed; I hear that too. The folks that are buying are investing.. not the small $50 item but more the $200-$400 item. Fewer bits and pieces and one bigger piece of art or craft. I'm seeing this in all the shops I have work committed to consign and sell. Ad this kind of work seems to be more rewarding... production small stuff is OK, but the bigger pieces are more of a creativity commitment usually.

As the year starts off with grants, proposals, collaborations and schedules, I'm excited about the series of workshops I'm getting to teach this spring.. mostly Mixed Media. And the Mural in March will be phenomenal. So maybe less time in the studio, more time in the public eye.. y'all know how i love the photograph!! o.O

Here we go! 2013 is going to be a big YEAR!