The Art World Demystified: How Artists Define and Achieve Their Goals by Brainard Carey

by Brainard Carey

The Art World Demystified unfolds the confusing and often treacherous terrain of the art world, revealing the inner workings of a system that has few rules but many opportunities. In this volume, artists will find their own questions reflected and addressed, How does an artist penetrate the inner circle of the art world?How do museums choose exhibits?How can an artist reach critics and get feedback?How do artists make a living, and how much can they expect to make?What are the “rules” of the art world?Why is it all so mysterious?Author and successful artist Brainard Carey explores these queries and more, giving concise answers and guidance on such issues as talking to curators, navigating suitable promotion, and maintaining motivation, alongside profiles of well-known artists. He enables, and encourages, readers to not only navigate the mysteries of the artist’s career, but also to create their own mythologies by presenting their work in a way that generates interest, questions, and an invitation to the inner circle.Allworth Press, an imprint of Skyhorse Publishing, publishes a broad range of books on the visual and performing arts, with emphasis on the business of art. Our titles cover subjects such as graphic design, theater, branding, fine art, photography, interior design, writing, acting, film, how to start careers, business and legal forms, business practices, and more. While we don't aspire to publish a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are deeply committed to quality books that help creative professionals succeed and thrive. We often publish in areas overlooked by other publishers and welcome the author whose expertise can help our audience of readers.

Genres: Art

Paperback

First published February 2, 2016

About the author

Brainard Carey lectures on art and art education. He is an artist that collaborates with his wife Delia Carey. Their collaborative, Praxis was included in the Whitney Biennial and they continue to make art, exhibit in biennials as well as conduct workshops and shows for their current project, The Museum of Non-Visible Art.

He is the host of -Lives of the Artists- a podcast on Yale University radio on the art and artists and has interviewed over 1,400 artists,


The interviews on this page are from his public affairs show on Yale radio, WYBC.

Brainard Carey was born in Manhattan, New York, and grew up in Yonkers. After attending undergraduate art school at SUNY Purchase, he moved to Rhode Island and opened a gallery and began publishing a literary magazine. Carey then moved back to New York City, where he met Delia Bajo, and cofounded Praxis, which was invited to be in the Whitney Biennial in 2002 and to be in a solo show there in 2007, as well as other venues around the world. Carey also has an educational business that helps artists to write grants, exhibit, and advance their careers.

He splits his time between New York City and a studio in New Haven, Connecticut.

Reviews

[Patricia Vinyard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book may be very helpful to the artist who is stuck outside the doors of the art world and looking for a way in. While the author's solutions may seem obvious to some people, they are not clearly apparent to everyone. I appreciate the author's candor in telling us what has and has not worked for him and others, but more than that I appreciate his positivity. This sunny outlook comes as a relief after reading similar books that promised help, but offered scant advice in a cynical, negative tone.

The art world can be mystifying and, like any economic arena, will crush your soul if you let it. Whether your goals include making your art practice work economically or simply gaining opportunities to participate in exhibits that make your work known, the advice in this book can help you achieve them. How refreshing to have this kind and generous person laying out possible approaches in step-by-step formats for those of us who haven't figured it all out yet.

[Jamie Chiang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although as an illustrator, the fine art scenario in this book may not be directly applicable to me, I like the honesty and openness about this book. It sure demystifies some of the questions I have.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A handy little volume full of practical advice on how to gain access to curators, gallerists and collectors. The art world looks impenetrable to outsiders but, with guidance from someone who has clearly learned from experience, getting through the door looks doable. And it shouldn't be a spoiler, but a good part of working with those who make up that world comes down to...gasp!...networking and building relationships with other people.

Very glad I read this and I look forward to reading and watching more from the author.

[Anastasia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

The book gave me some interesting ideas and food for thought, although most of it seems a little dated or not directly applicable. Most interviews, although interesting, were not necessarily helpful or educational.

Worth reading for some inspiration or ways of thinking outside the box.

I would have preferred this book in audio format, especially as the interviews are definitely transcripts. So far, Carey’s live webinars have been far better resources than any written material.

[Kate Kosek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good insights, and I enjoyed most of the interviews.

[Robin Pedrero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on navigating the Art
World. I very much so enjoyed the interviews. The aspects of education, ideas and networking are reinforced.