Getting Your Sh*t Together: The Ultimate Business Manual for Every Practicing Artist

by Karen Atkinson

Far too often artists find themselves having to compromise their art and their life because they were not taught accurate up-to-date methods for dealing with business situations. Because of this lack of preparedness artists miss out on valuable opportunities, financial rewards, and access to receptive audiences. This book aims to help all artists everywhere avoid these pitfalls and get on the track to success on their own terms. Whether you are a gallery- bound artist, a public artist, an emerging artist, a hobbyist, a crafts-person, a student, or a seasoned artist in need of a tune up, this manual is meant for you. This comprehensive book is informed by decades of experience and years of research into how to perform as a professional artist in the 21st century art world (or worlds). This book is filled with easy-to-follow instructions that will help you do everything -- archive your work, start a mailing list, write a grant, and everything else you can think of. This straightforward book even addresses topics you may not think you need to know about now, but you sure will later! Consider this a handbook for all your artistic endeavors. This book is written and designed to empower you to take your future into your own hands.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

424 pages, Paperback

First published January 30, 2014

About the author

Karen Atkinson is a media, installation and public artist, independent curator, collaborator, and has published and guest edited a number of publications.

She has exhibited and curated internationally including South Africa, Australia, Europe, Mexico, Canada, and throughout the USA, and exhibited in the Fifth Havana Biennial in Cuba and the Biennale de Paris in NYC.

She has taught at California Institute of the Arts since 1988. She was a co-founding director of Side Street Projects in 1991, a non profit artist-run organization in Los Angeles which is still up and thriving today. She has been a faculty member at CalArts since 1988. She is a past board president of NAAO, the National Association of Artists' Organizations. She has served on the board of directors of LACPS, Side Street Projects, Installation and serves on many Advisory Boards of arts organizations.

Atkinson currently teaches classes and workshops titled "Getting Your Sh*t Together" and has created software for visual artists of the same title. Her company GYST Ink, is an artist run company for artists. There are tons of free resources for artists located on the site, as well as a blog, newsletter, support services and books.

Reviews

[Katelyn Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential for all start-up artists getting into the business, no frills needed. :)

[Karen Atkinson]

Best book for the business of art or professional practices.