Watch This Before Your First Art Show! Webinar: How To Organize A Successful Art Exhibition

Summary

This video guides artists through the process of preparing for and promoting an art exhibition. It covers essential steps like curating works, preparing documents such as catalogs and checklists, and creating effective promotional strategies using email and social media. The importance of a successful opening event and post-exhibition follow-up is emphasized, with a focus on building long-term relationships and professional growth. The video stresses the value of experience and exposure, even if immediate sales are not achieved, helping artists develop their careers in the competitive art world.

Takeaways

• 😀 Make sure to prepare essential documents like press releases, catalogs, checklists, and mailing lists for your exhibition. These materials will provide guests with important information about the artwork and artist.
• 😀 Use social media (especially Instagram) to promote your exhibition, starting four weeks in advance. Post teasers and details to build anticipation, and post daily in the final week before the opening.
• 😀 Create a professional catalog of available works for your exhibition. Include artist resumes, artwork metadata, and prices, but keep prices off the walls. Consider adding works that are not on display in the catalog.
• 😀 Always have a mailing list sign-up available for visitors to leave their contact information, which can help in future sales or keeping them informed about upcoming exhibitions.
• 😀 Personalize email marketing by dividing your contact list into groups like collectors, galleries, press, and friends/family. Tailor your messages for each group to increase engagement and relevance.
• 😀 Avoid using generic email marketing services like MailChimp. Instead, send personalized plain-text emails with attachments to make your invitations feel more personal and professional.
• 😀 Engage with everyone at the opening event. Say hello to each guest and make yourself available to answer questions. The goal is to create a welcoming and interactive atmosphere.
• 😀 Document the opening day and the exhibition space, both when busy and when empty. High-quality photos of the event and artwork will elevate your credibility and help with future promotions.
• 😀 If sales do not happen during the exhibition, don’t be discouraged. Keep in mind that the experience itself is valuable for professional development and future opportunities.
• 😀 Follow up with attendees after the exhibition. Managing expectations and maintaining contact with potential buyers is key to future sales and building relationships in the art world.
• 😀 Use your exhibition as a tool to increase visibility, refine your portfolio, and gain press exposure, even if sales aren’t immediate. The process is as important as the result.

Q & A

What are the key documents needed for an art exhibition?

The key documents include the exhibition program, a catalog with available works (including artist resume and artwork metadata), a checklist with thumbnails of the artworks, and a mailing list sign-up sheet.

Why can't prices be displayed on the walls during the exhibition?

Prices are not allowed to be displayed on the walls due to gallery policies. Instead, the prices are included in the exhibition catalog or checklist.

How should an artist promote their exhibition effectively?

An artist should promote the exhibition through email marketing and social media, particularly Instagram. It’s important to share teasers, reminders, and event details leading up to the exhibition. Posting daily updates the week before the event is highly recommended.

What is the ideal timeline for promoting an exhibition on Instagram?

Promotions on Instagram should start four weeks before the exhibition opening. This includes sharing teasers and event details, with daily posts and stories the week before the opening to create anticipation.

What kind of email invitations should artists send to different groups?

Artists should send personalized email invitations to specific groups like collectors, galleries, press, and friends/family. Each group may receive different content, such as preview images, exhibition views, or press releases, depending on the target audience.

How can an artist increase the appeal of their exhibition's opening?

The artist can increase appeal by offering drinks during the opening, which is especially attractive to friends and family who may not be particularly interested in art but want to support the artist.

What are the best ways to document an exhibition?

It’s essential to document both the opening event and the exhibition itself. This includes taking photos during the opening when the gallery is filled with visitors and capturing high-quality installation shots when the space is empty.

Why is it important to follow up with attendees after the exhibition?

Following up with attendees is important to maintain relationships, gather feedback, and potentially convert interest into future sales. Even if sales were slow during the exhibition, this step helps keep potential buyers engaged for future opportunities.

What should an artist do if the exhibition has slow sales or quiet days?

An artist should not be discouraged by slow sales or quiet days, especially in the early stages of their career. Instead, they should focus on the experience gained, professional connections made, and opportunities for future growth.

How can the artist ensure a successful opening event for their exhibition?

To ensure a successful opening event, the artist should create a welcoming and engaging atmosphere, engage with every visitor, and be available to answer questions. A speech or informal talks with critics and collectors can also enhance the event’s tone.