Success in the Art Business / How to Make Your Cake and Eat it Too!

Beth Erikson

Here’s the good news: Artists can have economically sustainable careers. You can be successful in the art business! Here’s the challenging news: Artists still see themselves as being outside of the usual economic system. Art collectors, organizations, and even art schools prey on this attitude; they expect artists to display their artwork for free and provide services as unpaid or low-paid interns and part-time staff.

So, what’s to be done, and what are some of the sources of income for artists? The short answer is to shift your attitude, stand up for your economic rights, educate yourself about business and finance issues, and develop strategies to sell your art and create that successful art business.