What’s the point?

For many artists – now more than ever – an online presence is the foundation of a ‘successful’ practice. It is how artists connect with their audience, their supporters, and collaborators and is a primary route to financial stability through sales, funding, and partnerships.

But being ‘online’ isn’t simple and for many artists it can be overwhelming and confusing, meaning they miss out on the potential perks. It feels like there is a lot to do, from marketing yourself, running websites and social media accounts, and documenting your work in a presentable and shareable way.

We have compiled this resource for any artist looking to improve their online presence, using our own experience, advice from Shape Artists, and the thoughts and reflections of our wider network.

What follows is not prescriptive and no artist should expect to be an expert in all areas! Hopefully, however, it will spark inspiration and shed light on what is quickly becoming a necessity for creatives: digital identity.

As ever at Shape, we endeavour to integrate accessible solutions from the beginning. So, instead of a designated chapter on ‘accessibility,’ we have littered this resource with accessibility tips and advice as-and-when they prove relevant.