The Best Art Business Books
Katherine used to crunch numbers, analyse business performance and specialised in performance management. Now she does the same for artists.
For artists, illustrators, galleries, collectors and all those interested in the art business
Do you want to learn more about the business of being an artist?
Looking to improve your marketing of your art - and your sales?
Want to make the jump to full-time artist or illustrator but not sure what you don't know that you need to know?
Thinking about setting up and art gallery and looking for tips?
If any of the above apply then this site has a book which can help
These are the best books on and about the art business which are available on Amazon. So while you learn more about art you can save on your business expenses!
2015 Artist's & Graphic Designer's Market
This is due to publish in November 2014. Past editions have been rated well above average
Described as "the must-have reference guide for any artist who wants to establish or expand a career in fine art, illustration or graphic design."
Starting Out: Making a living as an artist
You have to start somewhere. Whether your're a hobby artist looking to start selling your work or an accomplished artist who's hoping to realise the dream of becoming a full-time artist - a good book about starting out in the art business is a good place to start.
Beyond starting out is survival as a full-time artist. Do you know everything you need to know. Are you aware that you don't know what you don't know? Find out more about WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW by choosing one or more of these books
ART/WORK: Everything You Need to Know (and Do) As You Pursue Your Art Career
Amazon reviews: 4.5 out of 5 stars (43 customer reviews)
Bear in mind this is a perspective on the art world written by a gallery dealer and an arts lawyer.
The Artist's Guide: How to Make a Living Doing What You Love Paperback - by Jackie Battenfield
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars (44 customer reviews)
#19 in Books > Arts & Photography > Business of Art
This book covers:
* Taking charge of your professional life - getting ready to take action and assembling essential tools
* Circulating your work - networking, researching and building professional relationships
* Supporting your work - managing the money, attracting additional funds and negotaiting legal contracts
* Maintaining your practice - day-to-day operations and surving being alone
RECOMMENDED: Two artists and art bloggers who I have a great regard for BOTH recommend this book very highly and have written excellent book reviews - see links. I knew when I read them that this book deserved to be highlighted on this lens.
"Do not purchase this book if you're fond of making excuses for why you aren't a successful artist, because once you read it you will have no excuses left. Battenfield covers everything from examining your own hopes and fears to writing an artist statement to finding a place to show to securing funds. With real life examples and interviews scattered throughout, this book is 345 pages of pure career-coaching gold. The tone is positive and upbeat, yet realistic. Battenfield is very clear that being successful in the arts is a difficult task that takes a tremendous amount of work and perseverance, yet she demonstrates both that it is possible and how it is possible. In an act of great generosity Battenfield has withheld nothing, so the book reads like a precious tome of secrets."
Annie Bisset - Woodblock Dreams - Read her full review in Making a Living As an Artist.
"Jackie is writing from her experience as a successful exhibiting artist, lecturer and teacher, and gallery director.... Her information is therefore not theoretical but steeped in firsthand knowledge. Sidebar quotes--she calls them "Reality Checks"-- from artists, dealers, critics and curators underscore the relevance of the material
There are exercises and lists to get you revved up, or to shift you into the next-higher gear, but I have to say that it's the guidance and observations I like best. "Much of my advice is not secret information," writes Jackie. But it's rare to find it compiled so well."
Joanne Mattera - Joanne Mattera Art Blog Read her full review in this "Marketing Mondays" post.
You can also read a Q&A interview with Jackie Battenfield in Marketing Mondays: Career Q&A with Jackie Battenfield
How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist - Selling Yourself Without Selling Your Soul
Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars by 80 customer reviews
RECOMMENDED
I think this is an excellent book - very down to earth and practical with a ton of useful references to useful people, places and websites relating to the art world and art business - and surviving and prospering as an artist.
Particularly noteworthy is her chapter on pricing art.
Several sentences I've read have had me mentally saying "YES!!!" and smiling!
The Business of Being an Artist - by Daniel Grant
Rated 4.2 out of 5 stars by 8 customer reviews
"One of the best-informed and most resourceful writers in the art field." - American Artist
The Business of Being an Artist contains information on
* how artists may develop a presence in the art world that leads to sales.
* how artists can learn to sell their work directly to the public with an understanding of the principles of marketing and sales as they're applicable to works of art.
* how to find a suitable gallery that will arrange sales and commissions
* how to set up a contractual relationship with the dealer that is both equitable and profitable.
* the range of exhibition opportunities for emerging and mid-career artists;
* how to set prices for artwork;
* when or if artists should pay to advance their careers;
* how artists may communicate with the public;
* applying for loans, grants, and fellowships;
* areas of the law that concern artists;
* using art materials safely;
* online sales and marketing, and much more.
Getting Your Sh*t Together: A Professional Practices Manual For Artists - By Karen Atkinson and GYST Ink
Amazon rating - an average of 5.0 out of 5 stars (8 customer reviews)
Starting Your Career as an Artist: A Guide for Painters, Sculptors, Photographers, and Other Visual Artists
Amazon rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)
Book Reviews by Art Bloggers #1
Books covered:
* The Artist's Guide: How to Make a Living Doing What You Love by Jackie Battenfield
* How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist: Selling Yourself Without Selling Your Soul by Caroll Michels
* I'd Rather Be in the Studio!by Alyson B. Stanfield
* ART/WORK: Everything You Need to Know (and Do) As You Pursue Your Art Career by Heather Darcy Bhandari, Jonathan Melber
- myartspace>blog: Book Review: Jackie Battenfield's The Artist's Guide - How to Make a Living Doin
Jackie Battenfield's new book, The Artist's Guide - How To Make a Living Doing What You Love, is an excellent resource for visual artists at any stage of their career. Battenfield writes in a professional and yet easy manner and provides invaluable i - Get Known Before the Book Deal: Fund Your Writing Projects: Featured Money Magnet Jackie Battenfield
By Gigi RosenbergThe idea for the book, The Artist's Guide: How to Make a Living Doing What You Love, was born out of the professional development workshops she taught for artists. Her students' enthusiasm for her handouts egged her on. "My students - Joanne Mattera Art Blog: Marketing Mondays: "The Artist's Guide" and Other Books
Talk about timely. Just as the art world is shaken to its foundations by the economic downturn, along comes The Artist's Guide: How To Make A Living Doing What You Love by Jackie Battenfield. I'm not being flip. Even though galleries are downsizing o - CWCA Calls for Entry: Caroll Michels - 6th edition of HOW TO SURVIVE AND PROSPER AS AN ARTIST: Selli
Drawing on more than three decades of experience as a career coach and artist-advocate, Michels shares insights for navigating the complicated, often political, art world. In the chapter "Launching or Relaunching Your Career: Overcoming Career Blocks - Josh Grabowski Art: Artist Necessity
Any artist, no matter your craft, should read this book if a career in art is the goal in mind. Personally, coming from the painting side of things, I feel that this book spoke to me directly. An easy read with so much information on what to do and w - how to survive and prosper as an artist | Sofie Dittmann's Photography Blog
The book talks about establishing prices for your work, attracting attention to your work and building immunity to rejection....I was prepared for a book that wouldn't sugar-coat anything. However, not only does it do away with the notion that art is - which craft business book is right for you? craftMBA.com; business thinking for designers & make
Read it if: you dream of selling in galleries and cultivating collectors across the country. If you're more interested in one of a kind work than production models, then you should definitely check out I'd Rather Be in the Studio. It doesn't cover th - Review: I'd Rather Be in the Studio | D*I*Y Planner
I'd Rather Be In the Studio is an amazing book that, while targeting artists looking to build their business and promote themselves, I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking to promote their passions....I started this book three times over. Not beca - BmoreArt: Book Report: 'I'd Rather Be in the Studio!' by Alyson B. Stansfield
This book is structured like a twelve-step program, organized around eight typical excuses that artists use to avoid self promotion or taking a professional risk......Like a caring therapist, Stansfield builds up the reader's confidence, chapter by c - Suggested Reading - ART/WORK - Heather Darcy Bhandari & Jonathan Melber | Studio Fuse Art Blog
Darcy Bhandari & Melber's comprehensive manual is intended to help artists expand their business practices while encouraging professionalism as it relates to artistic practice. This book serves the dose of practicality needed to aid in dispelling - Amazon.com: GroveCanada "Grove"'s review of ART/WORK: Everything You Need to Know (and...
Please remember WHO is writing the book...by artists? No. By gallery workers, yes..., April 11, 2010It's all very well to write a book for artists, but if you are working for galleries, you may have a bias.
Numbers and Business Plans for Artists
Most artists will run a mile rather than think about creating a business plan. However you should try taking a look at these books before you think business plans are not for you!
Arts & Numbers - A Financial Guide for Artists, Writers, Performers, and Other Members of the Creative Class
Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars based on 9 customer reviews
The book was created on the notion that numbers are not always the artist's best friend.
Topics covered include: practical budgeting, cash management, 'what if' scenarios, financial statements, taxes, financial management systems, business plans
The Right-Brain Business Plan - A Creative, Visual Map for Success
Amazon rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars (19 customer reviews)
Marketing and Selling Fine Art - ...and promoting yourself as an artist
Making a living as an artist is not about how much talent you have. Unless people know you art exists it's not going to be bought and you won't have an income.
Successful artists spend a lot of time and effort on marketing - or they have somebody who spends a lot of time and effort on their behalf. But what's involved in promoting your art?
Selling Art in Galleries
Selling art via a gallery is most people's idea of how art is sold. But how exactly does it all work?
These three books will explain:
* how to get into a gallery
* what the processes are when dealing with a gallery
* what "consignment" is
* how pricing and commission works
* who is responsible for insurance
* what costs you might be responsible for
Art Festival Guide - The Artist's Guide to Selling in Art Festivals
Rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars based on 19 customer reviews
This book was written by an artist whose sole means of support is her art. It's a classic case of the book which would never be commissioned by a publishing company and yet it's a book which many artists who want to exhibit at art fairs and art festivals are crying out for.
She explains (amongst other things):
* the business and how an art festival works,
* how to find and choose the shows which will work for you,
* the pros and cons of indoor vs outdoor shows
* the importance of presentation and how to get it right
* the sort of equipment you will need - for all weathers
* how to sell to people who visit art fairs and festivals
* how to plan for the future
* how to stay healthy
* all the answers to all the frequently asked questions
Licensing art
Have you ever thought about licensing your art? That way you can get repeat income from an existing original work of art.
The two books below walk you through all the things you need to think about and what you need to do to licence your art - and all the different objects your art might be used for
Selling Art Prints
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LauraCarExpert on July 03, 2013:
i guess if you know how to do marketing, you should be able to find a place for your art. Thank goodness for the interwebs!
MintySea on October 03, 2012:
wow you have a lot of book will look some of them up now
Indigo Janson from UK on May 26, 2010:
Another very useful resource for artists and those who love art.
