Professional Ground Zero

open ends

Our first Professional Practice lecture on 27 January 2016 finds me pretty much at ground zero in terms of almost everything the module will be covering! This blog is 'internal' - a record of steps towards developing my own professional practice, and a chance to reflect in an informal way. 

For the purpose of a 'before and after' snapshot, these are some proposed outcomes of the module that I do not yet have:

1. A clear idea of where I'd like to be as an artist in a few years time or a CV
2. A network of creative folk to work with in relation to professional practice
3. An effective external web presence, either a blog or a website, linking to audiences outside uhi
4. A database of relevant outlets for my work and practice
5. An awareness of entrepreneurship in the visual arts and how it works
6. A database/knowledge of creative business/fine art support networks and how to access them - including funding, exhibitions, competitions, residencies
7. Experience of reviewing an art show

This is all good - the whole point of the module is to work on all this and to LEARN. On the plus side, I have developed critical skills over the years. I do feel I am gradually establishing a Creative Practice which I can talk and write about.  I have actually sold pieces, which is also good. On the minus side, I am currently allergic to Facebook, have a mobile that is 20 years old and definitely does not do selfies, am not especially good at talking myself up or networking, and have trouble talking about money. Ho hum. Well it's good to face up to these things...

The first lecture touched on a wide range of topics, from personal career ambitions, finding a studio, various ways of generating income, the issue of maintaining artistic integrity,  opportunities for selection for competitions, exhibitions, residencies, funding, networking, 'growing' ones own CV, to pricing work.

I am excited that we will be visiting the Glasgow International as a class (11-12/5), and will have a chance to see the British Art Show in Edinburgh (13/2 - 8/5).

As a mum with two small kids who will be home from school shortly, I need to use my time well. So, given what I need to be learning, here are some thoughts on what to do about filling all those gaps... The point of this blog to record the way that both my ideas and ways of filling the gaps develop over time.

1. A clear idea of where I'd like to be as an artist in a few years time and a CV

• write an artist statement
• write a draft career plan
• 'grow' a CV

2. A network of creative folk to work with in relation to professional practice

• start to network with folk - get an email group and blog following going

3. an effective external web presence, either a blog or a website, linking to audiences outside uhi

• start an internal learning blog - this is it
• find out which host is best - squarespace? wordpress?
• read the advice on www.textileartist.org on setting up a website, photographing images etc.

4. a database of relevant outlets for my work and practice

•  research local galleries - eg Kilmorack, Inchmore, Glenfiddich

5. an awareness of entrepreneurship in the visual arts and how it works

• check artists' websites and CVs
• talk to visiting artists
  

6. a database/knowledge of creative business/fine art support networks and how to access them - including funding, exhibitions, competitions, residencies

• work out how to set up a database that all my web research can be dropped into

7. experience of reviewing an art show 

• read reviews of art shows to see how they are put together 
• develop critical thinking 

 So there is quite a bit to get started on then!