Craft gallery and shop. Image:peacheskeen.wordpress.com
The arts industry in Australia is in a constant state of flux, and those looking for a place in the field may wonder how bright their futures may look.
What is seen as the way to build an artist’s career one day can quickly become old the next, and artists need to be aware of this and adapt to the changing climate.
Some may feel that opportunities are scarce, but they are simply growing in different and unexpected ways. When new art forms are established and new technologies are introduced, a number of new roles are created.
The Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Craft, Jane Scott, believes that the old way of entering the field has all but disappeared.
‘Artists used to be “discovered”, but it’s not like that anymore. Artists would go to art school, start producing work, and then get noticed by a gallery director. This model is almost non-existent now. Most artists subsidise their art practice with other things,’ said Scott, who will examine this key issue in a keynote presentation, Future trends: Can I really have an arts career?, at the ArtsHub Conference on 31 October.
Scott also believes in the value of being skilled in various areas. ‘What’s important is that you have to have a lot of fingers in a lot of different pies,’ she said.
She continued, ‘Artists that do well are multi-skilled, driven, and are able to network. You need to be prepared to sell yourself. It’s important to self-promote and to be savvy with online media.’`
For young artists looking to get their foot in the door, it is important to get involved in the country’s arts scene and become known.
Scott said: ‘There are loads of possibilities for people looking at a career in the arts and many career paths. You should start by getting inside art organisations, by stepping up and volunteering.’
Through volunteering and engaging with online media, artists can more readily establish a name for themselves. Scott said, ‘it’s about how you bring your work to the attention of the right people. You need to be ready to engage.’
ArtsHub Conference 2014
31 October, Darebin Arts & Entertainment Centre
