As the COVID-19 pandemic transformed our daily lives, many professionals are struggling to get by and artists are not an exception. The art industry is gradually adapting to the “new normal” as countries worldwide are putting on hold every public gathering, such as workshops, exhibitions, and art fairs. This also includes the closure of galleries, museums, and other art settings. As a result, many artists lost their livelihoods where they can sell and promote their art.
According to UNESCO, 30 million jobs in the cultural sector are being hit harder because of the COVID-19 economic fallout. This led creative freelancers and artists to change the way they are doing business by swapping physical performance venues for virtual ones. They look for creative ways to keep them connected to their audiences through virtual art classes, drawing courses, online guitar tutorials, and music lessons.
Artists’ creative forces allowed them to be innovative and use technology to maintain connections and make everything work. In these dark times, the art industry can play a large role by helping people cope in a world that prevents us to experience culture and art in physical spaces. In this article, we’re going to cite examples of how artists are doing business during this pandemic and ways how you can move your art career online.
Building an online presence
Artists are taking creative approaches in response to the cancellation of art shows, workshops, conferences, and exhibits. To overcome the economic challenges of the COVID-19, most artists are focusing on online coaching sessions. Instead of in-person teaching, they are adjusting their art business by offering online options to their students. Although online teaching provided a limited income, artists found more time for creating new artwork.
Having an online presence helps artists reach out to students who are afraid and isolated because of the month-long lockdowns and quarantines. They use the power of social media to form a Facebook group, where amateur and professional artists can gather together to share their work and creative ideas. If you have previously put off plans to set up an online workshop, this is a perfect time to put those plans into action.
To successfully create an online presence, you need to have a well-positioned brand to get as many students as possible. Do this by creating a website, online gallery, social media page, and newsletter. Use these tools to promote your online workshop and spread the word about your art business.
Strengthening community engagement through art
Art has always brought people together. The role of technology further strengthened this fact as artists found ways to innovate and connect with the rest of the world despite the recent challenges. One example is the Co 19 Project, a collaborative project to bring together people to share and collect their experiences, voices, and other creative expressions.
Most artists are reaching out to people virtually by offering creative resources and online lessons to international communities. Try this by sending emails and organizing lessons through Facebook livestream. You can also expand your art business by selling coloring pages, where people can download and purchase to keep themselves or the kids busy while staying indoors.
This is also a great time to expand your art network by reaching out to fellow artists and art organizations. You can collaborate with artists working in the same niche by joining book clubs, webinars, virtual art critiques, and online art shows. Supportive art groups also provide support, inspiration, and motivation for struggling artists who are greatly affected by the pandemic.
Document your work and story
With all the free time in your hands, make good use of it by documenting your legacy as a creative artist. As you devote your life to your work, spend years improving your craft, and produce creative masterpieces, this is a great way to make yourself remembered in the art industry. Instead of letting your artwork rot in the cabinet or cardboard boxes, use this opportunity to archive and protect your art legacy.
Start by recording your work and story and building a complete inventory of your previous works. Document the medium, title, creation date, and dimensions while taking high-quality images of every artwork. You may also record the inventory number, selling price, and other essential information. Manage the inventory using an online archiving system to organize and manage your art catalogs. This will also serve as your ready-made portfolio, which you can use to promote and sell your artworks.
During this pandemic, keeping ourselves safe and healthy should be our top priority, but we will come to a point where we have to look for ways to reduce its economic consequences. Like everyone else, artists have to improve, adapt, and overcome. We hope the suggestions above offered helpful insights on tackling financial losses in your art business. As we wait for life to return to normal, keep working hard and stay positive.
