Grow An Online Audience Of Art Buyers & Sell Your Work In Reputable Venues


Professional Artist MBA

4.9 (100+ ratings)

  • Speak & write about your work with confidence
  • Perfect your artist website for conversions
  • Build your email list of art lovers
  • 10x your Instagram following
  • Raise your profile by showing with artists you admire
  • Get gallery representation with a proven system
  • Become a prolific artist with consistent sales
Stage

Emerging, Re-emerging or Transitioning Artist

The Goal

Forever-sustainable art business

Course Length

8 Weeks

Course Format

Cohort Based Course

The Quick Summary:


  • What is it?

The Professional Artist MBA is an 8-week-long intimate workshop-style course for visual artists who are serious about making it as a professional artist, designed by a faculty of leading art professionals.

  • How does it work?

This course is 100% online and consists of short training videos, weekly live implementation workshops, and a private chat community for peer feedback.

  • Why does it exist?

To remedy the growing wave of “one stop shop marketing gurus” claiming to know it all about the Art World. We have invested years and close to six figures in producing the ultimate curriculum to flourish as an artist today.

  • When does it start?

The program dates are listed at the bottom of this page. The application takes about 9 minutes to complete.

Who this course is for


Emerging Artist

You are an ambitious emerging artist with no time to waste, you want clear instructions to build your reputation and sell more work.

Re-Emerging Artist

You’ve had to put your art on pause for years and finally have the time again -- but so much is new, you need help to catch up (eg. technology overwhelm).

Transitioning Artist

You always dreamt of being an artist and are ready to make the jump from your current career - but you are lacking a proven step by step plan.

Our Faculty has been featured in or worked with...

Meet the Faculty


(Because no one “guru” has all the answers)

Miguel Mayher

Director of Education, Ex-Partnerships for Google Arts & Culture

Mindset & Business Strategy for Artists

Rosalind Davis

Artist-Curator & Author

Group Shows with Artists You Admire

Jason Horejs

Gallery Owner & Author

Getting Gallery Representation

Dina Brodsky

Social Media Influencer, Artist & Curator

Instagram for Your Artist Career

Gigi Rosenberg

Author of The Artist’s Guide to Grant Writing

How to talk about your art and yourself

Vicki Krohn Amorose

Author of "Art-Write"

Everything you will ever need to write

Guest Faculty


Ana Blanco

Course Facilitator & Head of Art Business Coaching

Former Director of the International Arts & Culture Group

Anibal Luque

Lawyer for Artists

Demystifying Legal Documents for Visual Artists

Ellaine Grogan Luttrull

Author of "Arts & Numbers"

Multiple Income Streams for Artists

Daniel Sharp

Former Arts Outreach Lead | Kickstarter

Getting Paid For Your Art Before You Start, With Crowdfunding

Paul Dorrell

Author of Living the Artist’s Life | Leopold Gallery

Creative Financing for Artists

Here's how it works


Cohort-based Courses
A New Type of Online Course

Active Learning by Doing

Every week we release a new workshop, mindset lectures, and facilitate an intimate workshop-style session: with peer feedback and break out discussions to implement together.

Learn with a Cohort of Peer Artists

You'll be working with a small group of up to 15 fellow artists, all building towards the same transformation together.

Accountability and Feedback

Ever felt like you were procrastinating on the business side of your art? We walk together step by step so that you can see real time results instead of being left behind.

Plenty of time to review on your own

Eight weeks of focused action will build your foundation. We give you the A through Z of the business and career side of art, with 1 year access to all instructional materials.

Curriculum


After taking this course, you’ll be able to grow an online audience that buys your work, show your work with artists you admire, and become a gallery-represented artist. You will leave with a clear roadmap to becoming the recognized professional artist you always dreamed of being.

PART 1: Professionalize Your Profile

Click the arrows to see more details on the course

WEEK 1: Talking

Objective: Talk about your art with confidence

Description

You’ve been creating your latest art project for more than a year and still when your family asks, “What are you working on?” you don’t know what to say. Or you serendipitously meet a curator and when they turn to you and say, “What do you do?” you’re tongue-tied.

A good introduction is a concise, compelling description of you and your latest project—and is the basis for all your marketing and connecting the world with your art. It sounds so simple! But it’s not easy. If crafting those few sentences that convey who you are and what you do hasn’t been a breeze for you, you’re not alone.

In this lively workshop, Public speaking coach and author of The Artist's Guide to Grant Writing, Gigi Rosenberg, will show you how to distill years of work on a project into a memorable hook that has many uses: virtual introductions, videos, in-person meetings, grant applications, follow-up calls with the funder, bio statements, press packets, and more.

What we cover

This session answers questions like:

  • How do you condense years of work on a project into a sentence or two?
  • What’s important to emphasize?
  • How do you begin and end?
  • What if you have several projects in the works?
  • How do I look and sound my best in person, on the phone or in an online meeting?

Additional Assets:

  • 4-pages of follow-along worksheets so you can start to create your introduction
  • 8-page PDF guide to elevator speeches, “How to introduce yourself with grace and authority” which includes artwork from all the featured artists

Breakdown:

  • Introduction
  • How to look and sound your best online or on video
  • Step-by-step creation of content to include in your elevator speech
  • Real-life examples of artist introductions and teaching by example why these work
  • The Take Away

Mindset Lectures: Entrepreneurial Mindset for Artists

  • Business Mindset: when it helps, and when it can hurt you (3:13)
  • Ownership: managing your own art career (3:41)
  • Be So Good They Can't Ignore You (2:43)
  • Using Empowering Keywords (5:36)

Includes 45 minute Live implementation workshop

WEEK 2: Writing

Objective: Perfect your professional writings

Description

Learn how to express your work and what you stand for in writing. From polishing an artist statement you (finally!) feel strong about, to making your bio memorable, to knowing what to do with your non-art background in your resume. Let the author of the book on this topic guide you, and use her fill-in-the-blanks templates for a head start.

What we cover

  • Introduction (4:31)
  • Why Does Writing Matter? (8:43)
  • Artist Statement (30:18)
  • Bio (5:19)
  • CV or Resumé (2:40)
  • Press Release (4:43)
  • Email Etiquette (6:36)
  • Applications & Proposals (10:23)
  • The Take Away (4:28)

Mindset Lectures: Productivity & Prolificness

  • The 80 20 Principle (6:51)
  • Parkinson's Law: how work expands to fit the time you have (3:20)
  • Daily habits that build your destiny (7:21)
  • You are not a widget factory: optimizing for states of being (7:22)
  • How much time do you need to make great art every week? (5:57)
  • The Time Audit (2:02)
  • Carving out your ideal "nest" of weekly hours (3:35)
  • BONUS: Design & establish your ideal morning & evening routine

Includes 45 minute Live implementation workshop

WEEK 3: Website

Objective: Polish your artist website so that it converts into leads and sales

Description

This module boils down 20 years of website building experience into the few principles and tactics that matter most for a visual artist -- even if you are not tech-savvy at all.

You will understand how to create the two key outcomes that matter: raising your credibility, and converting visitors into subscribers or collectors.

Through this module, you will create a clear vision for an artist website that makes both you and your work shine. You can then follow the simple steps to bring that vision to life.

When you complete this module, you'll have a fully updated professional artist website you feel proud of. You won’t be shy anymore when people ask to see your art on their phone, or when submitting applications to prestigious international calls for artists.

Everything about your website will clearly state, “I am a professional artist. Here is my work. You can buy now or join my private list.”

What we cover

  • Introduction (3:12)
  • Disclaimer (1:09)
  • Why (5:40)
  • Domain Name & Hosting (5:00)
  • Front End & Back End (4:30)
  • Types of Artist Websites (17:14)
  • Credibility (9:20)
  • Website Areas (20:29)
  • Maintenance (1:55)
  • The Takeaway (2:31)

Mindset Lectures: Navigating Uncertainty

  • The Power of Testing (5:10)
  • How to make uncertainty benefit you (5:35)
  • Rejection & Failure (4:41)
  • Why mindfulness is specially important for artists (1:58)
  • Your unique entrepreneurial path: make a plan, but be ready to burn it (3:18)

Includes 45 minute Live implementation workshop

PART 2: Grow Your Audience ONline

WEEK 4: Email

Objective: Get your first 100 email subscribers then grow into the thousands

Description

What is the #1 channel to sell art online? It’s not social media… it’s” good old email”. Email is what people with disposable income still use every day. And it allows you to build a one-on-one relationship with your followers in their private inbox.

In this module, you will learn how to build an email list like a pro. You will stop any amateur practices you may have fallen into (which sometimes are illegal without you knowing it).

You will end this module having gained your first 100 subscribers in a week, with specific strategies to multiply your growth into the thousands of subscribers. You will also have a defined frequency that works for you to connect with your private email list that includes opportunities for them to buy your work -- while making them feel special.

What we cover

  • Introduction (3:52)
  • Disclaimer (0:25)
  • What, Why & How (8:21)
  • Setting Up Your Email Service Provider (14:00)
  • Setting Up Your Email Collection Form (5:42)
  • Your Call to Action (3:23)
  • Your 1st Subscriber (3:02)
  • Your First 100 Subscribers (15:19)
  • Strategies To Scale (19:36)
  • What to write (11:29)
  • What to write - The Triple Waterfall
  • How To Monetize (18:01)
  • The Takeaway (4:33)

Mindset Lectures: Decision Making

  • Making decisions: how to make the right choice (3:33)
  • Avoid dilemmas: think in circles & colors (Venn diagrams) (3:20)
  • Location: why it matters and why it doesn't (1:50)
  • Goal Setting VS Process Orientation (7:05)

Includes 45 minute Live implementation workshop

WEEK 5: Instagram

Objective: Accelerate your weekly Instagram follower growth

Description

Would you like to 10x your Instagram following? If you have been struggling to get traction, chances are you need to change the way you are using social media.

In this module, social media influencer and artist Dina Brodsky will share what steps to follow so you can get all the benefits of Instagram as a professional artist while avoiding the pitfalls of screen addiction.

After finishing this module, you’ll know how to self-audit your Instagram profile and fix what is broken. You will receive plenty of examples of great posts whose style you can model the next time you share your work.

You will also understand the specific do’s and don’ts of what makes people stop scrolling, what makes them like and comment, and how you can best take advantage of the algorithms to maximize your exposure.

Finally, you’ll be able to harness the power of networking on Instagram and create new opportunities in your art career. This module includes a “cheat sheet” of Instagram accounts you can approach to get featured to hundreds of thousands of their followers.

What we cover

  • Introduction (6:04)
  • Making People Stop (1:51)
  • Making People Stay (6:39)
  • Engagement (5:58)
  • Hashtags (6:01)
  • Hashtags: banned & branded hashtags (1:43)
  • Frequency (1:27)
  • Don't Let This Happen to You (2:14)
  • Connecting with Instagram (7:47)
  • Setting a Strong Foundation (20:47)
  • Starter Boost (3:23)
  • Influencer marketing: after they post your image (3:10)
  • Long-term Opportunities (5:01)
  • The Takeaway (2:31)
  • Instagram Inspiration: Sample Posts
  • Instagram Influencer Accounts (bonus resource to speed up your follower growth)
  • Instagram Bio: copywriting that works

Mindset Lectures: Resourcefulness & Connection Types

  • The Rodriguez List: making the most out of all you've got (3:57)
  • Multiplying opportunity: HUBS (5:09)
  • Multiplying opportunity: IDEAS (3:31)
  • Multiplying opportunity: PEOPLE (4:38)
  • Your artist friends: the 5 chimps theory (4:22)
  • Start Strong ties: your support community (3:38)
  • Start Weak ties: your network (5:08)

Includes 45 minute Live implementation workshop

PART 3: Show Your Work OFFline

WEEK 6: Shows

Objective: Learn how to organize successful group shows with other artists you admire

Description

Imagine you could show your work next to artists you admire who are 10 years ahead of you in their art career. Would you say yes? This module will break down in minute detail how to make that happen instead of just hoping for a lucky break.

Artist-curator Rosalind Davis has organized more than a hundred shows. In this module, she will share with you the blueprint to go from obscurity to newspaper mentions. You’ll learn not only how to book the right venue and persuade the right artists but also how to promote the show in social media and press releases for a full house opening.

Once you finish this module, you will have full confidence to level up your artist profile and show your work alongside artists who used to intimidate you. You will stop waiting to “be discovered”. You will understand how to have gallery directors, critics, and other art professionals come to meet you instead of you knocking on their door.

What we cover

  • Introduction (2:13)
  • Vision & Objectives (20:04)
  • Planning (43:42)
  • Promotion (17:22)
  • During The Show (8:00)
  • After The Show (13:25)
  • Thank You (0:21)
  • Slides from Group Show Blueprint
  • Templates: Exhibition Proposal, Press Release, Consignment Agreement, etc.

Mindset Lectures: Get Unstuck Through The Problem Solving Formula

  • The 4 step formula to solve any problem (6:33)

Apply the 4 step formula to one problem you are facing:

  • DEFINE (DRAW) (4:44)
  • ANALIZE (CUT) (7:14)
  • PROPOSE (IMAGINE) (5:32)
  • ACTION (ACT) (2:32)

Includes 45 minute Live implementation workshop

WEEK 7: Galleries

Objective: Discover how to get represented by one or more galleries that sell your work

Description

What makes the difference between loving or hating your relationship with your gallery?

And, how do you get into a gallery in the first place?

Whether you prefer to market your own work or would rather have someone else take care of it, having the right gallery representation offers you a ticket to higher sales and recognition.

In this module, multi-gallery owner Jason Horejs, author of How to Get Into a Gallery, breaks down his strategy for finding, courting, and signing your dream galleries.

Whether you don’t have gallery representation right now or you want to expand into more galleries (maybe outside your area or even your country), you will end this module with a crystal-clear roadmap of how to find and secure new galleries that sell your work. No more excuses.

What we cover

  • Introduction (9:51)
  • Gallery-Ready - Making Your Artwork (22:25)
  • Gallery-Ready - Positioning Your Artwork (20:56)
  • Gallery-Ready - Presenting Your Artwork (21:53)
  • Researching Galleries - Your Dream 100 List (9:02)
  • Approaching Galleries - Email, In-person & The Review Process (10:38)
  • Formalizing The Relationship - Establish & Build (5:31)
  • The Take Away (2:37)

Mindset Lectures: Personal Branding & Marketing Your Art

  • Your fingertip: leveraging your DNA (3:15)
  • Pick your approach: the artist persona or the personable artist (6:44)
  • The myth of "build it and they will come" (4:00)
  • Know who you are (3:41)
  • Say who you are (1:50)
  • In-bound marketing: the opposite of spam (11:50)
  • Showing your work where there is no competition: the entrepreneurial edge (5:31)

Includes 45 minute Live implementation workshop

WEEK 8: Epilogue: Balancing Art & Business

Objective: Learn how to tie it all together into a sustainable rhythm

Description

Do you ever feel like you are stretched in 10 directions at once? Not only do you need to make new artworks, you also have to photograph them, upload the photos to social media, ship works to customers, organize shows… and of course personal and family time! How are you supposed to stay sane?

In this module, we reveal the exact loop you have become trapped in. Then we give you the tools to get out of it and plan your roadmap for the next 12 months.

As our faculty member Jason Horejs says, “An organized artist is a prolific artist.” You will finish this module with the simplest method for staying sane, becoming prolific, and advancing fast toward your goals as an artist-- without the overwhelm. This module is a grand finale that students say “brings everything together.”

What we cover

  • Goal Setting & Execution in Your Artist Career
  • Introduction (3:32)
  • Why (1:13)
  • Problem, Solution & System (2:03)
  • Goal Setting (12:09)
  • The System (13:15)
  • The Takeaway (3:25)

Mindset Lectures: Finding Your Audience & Selling Your Art

  • Finding your audience: your 12 collectors amongst 7 Billion people (7:42)
  • How to connect with anyone (4:58)
  • Networking for introverts: leaning on your natural inclinations (6:04)
  • Selling is caring (2:53)
  • Boldness: how to ask to get paid when an opportunity comes up (3:04)
  • They want your work, but it's not about you (4:29)
  • How to negotiate when you have to (2:27)

Includes 45 minute Live implementation workshop

Summary List of The Professional Artist MBA

RESOURCE #1: Money Mastery for Visual Artists

Masterclass #1: SalesSelling Directly to Collectors

ObjectiveLearn how to find, nurture, and convert art buyers into loyal collectors.

Description

No matter where you live, there are some people who have both the disposable income and the interest to buy works of art. But how can you find them? And once you do, how can you start relationships? And finally -- how do they turn into clients and collectors?

All these questions have answers, and this masterclass will explain them in detail.

What we cover
  • Selling Directly to Collectors
  • Introduction (11:19)
  • FIND: Where to find potential collectors (19:35)
  • START: How to start new relationships with potential collectors (13:25)
  • CULTIVATE: Nurturing relationships (12:51)
  • SELL: Successful sales conversations (63:35)
  • COLLECTORS: Turning one-off clients into repeat collector (6:42)
  • The Takeaway (2:50)

Your instructor: Jason Horejs, author of How To Sell Art & owner of Xanadu Gallery

Masterclass #2: Finance: Creative Financing for Artists

ObjectiveLearn unconventional ways to get paid from your art

Description

If you would like an engaging lesson on how to use your creativity to increase your finances, do not miss this masterclass.

You will gain insider knowledge such as:

  • Patrons: How to get paid 12 months in advance in bulk before you make your art (includes an agreement template for enrolling new patrons)
  • Bartering: How to get free products and services in exchange for your art
  • Charity Art Auctions: How to do good AND get well paid at the same time
What we cover
  • Introduction (7:05)
  • Getting Patrons (19:10)
  • Bartering (5:59)
  • Charity Art Auctions (6:29)
  • Tax Write-Offs (2:57)
  • On Financial Success & Failure in the Arts (4:05)
  • The Takeaway (5:53)

Your instructor: Paul Dorrell, author of Living The Artist's Life & gallery owner

Masterclass #3: Accounting: Five Step Budgeting Process for Artists

ObjectiveLearn the five steps to build an artist budget (even if you would rather not).

Description

Whether you need to:

  • Plan the costs of your art studio for the next 6 months
  • Find a way to lower your costs without harming the quality of your work
  • Raise funds for a specific creative project

...you need to know how much it will cost and how to stay on track.

In this step-by-step masterclass, Elaine will explain:

  • What a budget actually is and is not
  • Why it matters (saves you time later, and money at every step)
  • How to create one (hint: words matter as much as numbers!)
  • How to use it to get clarity and avoid financial trouble.

Elaine has the unique ability to make budgeting for artists both easy and fun.

What we cover
  • Introduction (3:38)
  • Disclaimer (6:02)
  • The Five Step Process (0:57)
  • Define The Parameters (4:58)
  • List The Expenses (2:29)
  • Quantify The Expenses (5:28)
  • Fund The Expenses (8:21)
  • Make it Work (7:27)
  • Frequently Asked Questions (20:40)
  • Your Turn (2:12)

Your instructor: Elaine G. Luttrull, author of Arts & Numbers and founder of Minerva Financial Arts

Masterclass #4: Funding: Getting Paid Before You Start, With Crowdfunding

ObjectiveUse your creativity to increase your finances.

Description
  • Patrons: How to get paid 12 months in advance in bulk before you make your art (includes an agreement template for enrolling new patron)
  • Bartering: How to get free products and services in exchange for your art
  • Charity Art Auctions: How to do good AND get well paid at the same time
  • Tax Write-Offs as an artist
  • On Financial Success & Failure: Words of wisdom from a life in the arts
What we cover
  • Introduction (7:05)
  • Getting Patrons (19:10)
  • Bartering (5:59)
  • Charity Art Auctions (6:29)
  • Tax Write-Offs (2:57)
  • On Financial Success & Failure (4:05)
  • The Takeaway (5:53)

Your instructor: Paul Dorrell, gallery owner & author of Living The Artist's Life

Masterclass #5: Legal: Demystifying Legal Documents for Artists

ObjectiveProtect yourself with the key legal documents you need as an artist

Description
  • Consignment agreements
  • Gallery representation agreements
  • Contracts
  • Commissions

...all scary and complicated stuff.

Imagine a friendly lawyer, who specializes in working with artists, offers to chat with you and explain all you need to know -- and not more.

This is what you will get in this masterclass with artist lawyer Anibal Luque.

No matter where you live, you will be well served by avoiding the pitfalls of skipping these crucial write-ups.

NOTEIncludes ready-to-use templates for Licensing agreement, Consignment agreement, and Gallery representation agreement. We paid thousands to their expert legal firm so you don't have to.

What we cover
  • What's the main misconception about legal or contracts (1:29)
  • What is a good way to approach having a written agreement (1:54)
  • What exactly is a contract and why should I care (1:10)
  • Commission agreements (0:50)
  • Contracts under Quantum Meruit (3:05)
  • What are some of the drawbacks of having a contract (2:06)
  • Gallery representation agreements (2:20)
  • A licensing agreement (6:14)
  • Consignment work (3:27)
  • Okay, what's my next step (3:37)
  • How often do I need to keep talking to attorneys to help me out (1:17)
  • Words of advice (4:20)
  • RESOURCE A (Template for Licensing)
  • RESOURCE B (Template for Consignment)
  • RESOURCE C (Template for Representation)

Your instructor: Anibal A. Luque, Lawyer for Creatives, Managing Attorney at Luque PLLC

Masterclass #6: Pricing: Pricing High & Low That Sells

ObjectiveStop doubting your pricing and apply a simple approach that works

Description

Have you ever sold a work of art and then wondered -- did I actually make a profit?

After your hours of work, your materials, shipping, frames...

… did I actually make or lose money?

Learn how to never undersell your work again - and why the question about pricing your artwork is a false start. Instead you should be thinking: How can I make my art both accessible to cash-strapped friendly fans and attractive to wealthy collectors?

What we cover
  • Introduction (1:21)
  • Know Your Sales Goals (3:12)
  • Know Your Costs (3:52)
  • Increase Your Profit (3:27)
  • The Value Ladder (11:42)
  • Applying The Value Ladder (11:13)
  • The Takeaway (2:15)

Your instructor: Miguel Mayher, Director of Education at the Professional Artist Institute, ex-partnerships for Google Arts & Culture

Masterclass #7: Grants: How to Write Winning Art Grants

ObjectiveTake a good idea and transform it into a compelling grant proposal that can get your creative project funded.

Description

In this lively workshop, based on Gigi’s book, The Artist's Guide to Grant Writing, Gigi demonstrates how to use the grant writing process to help you focus your career goals.

Then, she walks you step-by-step through the grant writing process including how to play the matchmaking game with potential funders, enlist a team to help craft your proposal and create a budget that makes your application irresistible.

Along the way, Gigi shares the strategies of successful grant writers and tips from funders. She teaches techniques for finding fresh language to describe a project, an editing checklist to use before you submit your application and other tips that help you stand out from the crowd.

What we cover

This masterclass answers questions like:

  • What kinds of projects do grants fund?
  • How much time does it take to write a grant? Is it worth it?
  • What should you always include in the first sentence of your application?
  • What should you never do in a follow up call with the funder?
  • If you don’t get funded one year, should you apply to the same funder again?
  • How can writing a grant application help you focus your career goals?

Included:

  • Master timeline for the grant writing process
  • 7-step budget checklist for proofreading your budget
  • 6 key questions to ask as you assess the merit of your project
  • Gigi’s editing cheat sheet that includes her top ten editing tips
  • Resources to jumpstart your research

Your instructor: Gigi Rosenberg, author of The Artist's Guide to Grant Writing

Masterclass #8: Networking: How to Grow Your Contacts In The Art World

ObjectiveConnect with anyone in the Art World so you can open doors of opportunity

Description

Do you ever feel like the art world is a black box you can’t seem to figure out? In this module, you will learn how to become a world-class connector online and offline -- even if you are shy or introverted.

We will share with you the mindset shift that changes your experience of social interaction from dread into curiosity.

This module contains specific examples for every situation you’ll face in your career as an artist, from show openings to random encounters. We will provide you with fill-in-the-blank templates that allow you to easily refine the messages in your own voice.

By the end of this module, you will be able to start a relationship with anyone by sending irresistible cold emails that get replies. You’ll no longer be hearing crickets when you reach out.

You will know how to follow up with people without feeling like you are pestering them. And you will have a simple system that requires minimal time and effort for keeping in touch with your growing international art network.

What we cover
  • Introduction (4:45)
  • Why? (9:11)
  • Social Events Part 1 Start (10:13)
  • Social Events Part 2 Middle (19:58)
  • Social Events Part 3 End (10:23)
  • How To Pitch Anything (20:24)
  • How To Pitch a Podcast (5:44)
  • How To Pitch a Blog (7:00)
  • How To Pitch an Artist Talk (10:09)
  • How To Stay In Touch (11:02)
  • The Takeaway (3:21)
  • Bonus: Eight email mistakes artists make when trying to pitch

Your instructor: Miguel Mayher, creator of The Fine Artist Summit (30,000+ attendees)

Masterclass #9: Strategy: Multiple Income Streams for Artists

ObjectiveSet the foundation for your sustainable artist journey by creating multiple sources of income so that you will never have to quit.

Description

When you have a stable foundation that dissolves financial stress, you will sleep better at night and have more time to make art during the day.

After finishing this module, you'll have chosen at least one new income source that fits your available time and suits your strengths. You will have taken the first step toward increasing your monthly income this very month by an extra $£€ 1,000 to 3,000. You will have a renewed sense of confidence from knowing the 2 or 3 income sources in the new phase of your artist career.

What we cover
  • Introduction (1:30)
  • Why Multiple Income Streams (4:27)
  • Portfolio Career (17:47)
  • Finding Your Ideal Portfolio Career (16:49)
  • Planning Your Transition (2:05)
  • The Takeaway (3:26)
  • BONUS: Top 3 "work from home" extra income sources

Your instructor: Elaine G. Luttrull, author of Arts & Numbers and founder of Minerva Financial Arts

RESOURCE #2: Get Paying Students Online

Objective: Earn predictable monthly income by teaching art online once a week

Description

Would you like to know how to get paid for your hard-earned art skills every month? And what if you could do it from home or your studio in just a couple of hours per week? Now it is possible -- thanks to online workshops.

  • But what tech should you use? Teachable or Zoom or...
  • How do you structure your offer? For beginners, or coaching, or…
  • And most importantly: How do you get paying students and make them stick?

All this is answered in step-by-step, fill-in-the-blanks detail in our newest course, “Get Paying Students Online”.

Born in response to the call for help from our alumni who suddenly lost their face-to-face workshop income because of COVID-19, this blueprint is the fastest offering we have to take you from zero to your first $3,000 in 30 days.

The results have been so fast and impressive that we now recommend all our high-end private coaching clients to start with this online workshop.

Importantly, we find that artists who try to figure this out on their own most often fail or get underwhelming results, making mistakes like first announcing a class in their newsletter or social media and hearing crickets in response.

Instead, in this bonus program, you receive proven word-for-word templates that sell, in the right order to fill your online workshops.

See what some of our students are saying about their results:

Melissa filled 2 online student cohorts in just 6 weeks for ~$3,000

Carol filled her first online workshop by facilitating Drawing+Meditation

Sally made $3,000 from her first-ever online workshops offer

Beth turned her creative journaling practice into a paid online workshop

What we cover

Here are the five pillars of our A B C D E formula to get paying students online:

[A] ATTRACT
  • How to start an email list from zero and build it up to 100 email subscribers
  • How to start a social media account from scratch and build it up to 100 contacts
  • The 10 minute tactic that connects you with new interested students daily
  • How to leverage other people's audiences to get featured for free in front of their audience
[B] BUILD
  • How to craft your workshop proposal in a way that others immediately understand it and want it
  • How to refine your pricing so that you are maximizing your earnings in every cohort
  • How to set up the technology back end so that students can easily enroll and pay through just one link
  • Multiple options from free to advanced tech tools to deliver your workshops
[C] CONVERT
  • The three waves for converting your audience into paying students -- and why it is critical not to skip steps
  • Proven scripts that magically transform interest into cash
  • The psychology behind effective sales copywriting that makes people feel special while at the same time converting them into clients
  • A “low-hanging fruit” strategy you can use every month once you have an audience and an ongoing paid workshop program
[D] DELIVER
  • Best practices to prepare before the workshop
  • Best practices to successfully facilitate your live workshop
  • Best practices to improve upon every completed workshop
[E] EXTEND
  • How to get students to stick with you, even before they finish your first workshop
  • How to turn your happiest students into your free sales force

You also get 8 coaching call video recordings from a private mastermind, where you can learn from other students progressing through the milestones as they get results by implementing our blueprint.

Multiple instructors

RESOURCE #3: Coaching Calls Vault

Objective: Learn from artists implementing this course as they are coached by our faculty.

Description

Get over 10 hours of Q&A video recordings where you can learn from the faculty answering REAL-LIFE examples from professional artists who are implementing the advice.

Every session has been carefully edited so you can skip and play the questions and critiques that interest you.

What we cover

Q&A 1 - Multiple Income Streams & Entrepreneurial Mindset - with Elaine G. Luttrull
  • Introduction (1:50)
  • Question 01 - Supporting cast role: is another line of artwork valid? (3:57)
  • Question 02 - Strategies for curbing "over-thinking" a budget? (4:20)
  • Question 03 - Is investing time in learning teaching a class or a workshop sensible as a cast role? (6:24)
  • Question 04 - Suggestions for remote production jobs? (3:36)
  • Question 05 - Suggestions on prioritizing roles (star vs supporting vs production) for income? (3:19)
  • Question 06 - Should I separate the many roles I have in my business or continue multi-tasking? (5:52)
  • Question 07 - How long to decide whether an income source is working or not? (12:45)
  • Question 08 - Examples of artists who track time while working in their "Starring Role" and benefits from that? (5:39)
  • Question 09 - Suggestions for a full time artist ready to focus on art only as their main income? (6:11)
  • Question 10 - How to apply the portfolio career to my situation? I have children! (2:25)
  • Question 11 - How to change my mindset from being invisible to visible to help my artist career? (5:04)
  • Question 12 - Portfolio art career, different income streams: commissions, awards, fairs, galleries, exhibitions...? (6:57)
  • Question 13 - How to transition from teaching art in schools to workshops in industry? (6:34)
  • Question 14 - Can you clarify what "value" means? (5:07)
  • Question 15 - Patreon.com: pledging to support artists the right way. (4:59)
  • Parting Words - Rewiring beliefs (2:52)
Q&A 2 - Writings, Productivity & Prolificness - Coaching call with Vicki Amorose
  • Introduction (1:54)
  • Question 1: Artist statement, one overall or a new one for every line or subject? (2:12)
  • Critique 1: "a visual storyteller" (2:30)
  • Question 2: Convincing the funder your project is already "going down the tracks" (2:47)
  • Question 3: Creative Offering, Mission Statement, Vision Statement and Value Proposition. Do you really need them? (2:50)
  • Question 4: Placing an Artist Statement. (1:57)
  • Question 5: Binder or Slideshow together with the Artist Statement? (2:18)
  • Question 6: What sort of questions do you recommend we ask when interviewing friends about our work? (1:32)
  • Critique 2: "I find the soul..." (5:42)Critique 3: Artist Statement (3:33)
  • Question 7: Tips on Keeping Your Artist Statement and Bio Separate! (3:32)
  • Question 8: My CV is pretty blank, should I put it on my website? I'm a young/new artist! (1:56)
  • Question 9 & Critique 4: Tips on using a Pseudonym in my Artist Statement and/or Bio! (2:41)
  • Question 10: Artist Statement: How long? Examples? Medium, Process & Understanding? (7:49)
  • Question 11: How to write up Collections and Commissions in a CV/Resume? (3:12)
  • Question 12: Do previous, not related degrees and jobs belong in an Artist Bio? (1:20)
  • Question 13: "How do we get straight to the point?" In under a 100 words! (6:07)Critique 5: "What convinces the most and arouses interest?" (8:22)
  • Critique 6: Carla Schmidt (3:31)
  • Critique 7: What is smart or interesting to get in my CV? (2:04)
  • Critique 8: :...great mythologies that were the impetus..." (5:03)
  • Critique 9: Christopher Remmers (2:01)
  • Critique 10: Bio, Bhavya Dixit (5:43)
  • Critique 11: Artist statement, Bhavya Dixit (4:57)
  • Question 14: "Can the first sentence be a headline, not a complete sentence?" (3:14)
  • Question 15: "Does it go in bio, also in CV, or just strictly art-related on CV?" (1:34)
  • Thank You (1:01)
Q&A 3 - Website & Navigating Uncertainty - Coaching Call with Miguel Mayher
  • Introduction (2:18)
  • Question 1: I would like to include a shop section to sell prints, is it possible with Squarespace? (4:27)
  • Question 2: Is it advisable to include all the Instagram feed in the webpage? (2:18)
  • Question 3: Do I build two websites or just pick one? I have two distinct styles of art! (3:26)
  • Question 4: Copyright infringement or stealing high quality images? Watermarks? (2:37)
  • Question 5: How do we understand and give value to the results of our daily testing? How do we decide if something is working? (2:43)
  • Question 6: Writing newsletters, is it necessary if you're not good at it? (3:28)
  • Question 7: Why can’t Instagram and Facebook play the same role as website and newsletter? (8:00)
  • Question 8: 'Anti-fragile'... I find it hard to predict the downsides of every risk... (2:53)
  • Question 9: Tips or criteria for picking out the work for your website? (3:39)
  • Question 10: Is selling through your website increasing your credibility? (4:43)
  • Question 11: Can putting à too high or too low price hurt your credibility? (5:34)
  • Question 12: How do you deal with your gallery when opening an e-commerce section on your website? (5:24)
  • Question 13: How important is it to have a consistent "name" for all media? FB, Instagram, Website, email... (1:49)
  • Critique 1: akikano.com (9:57)
  • Critique 2: begolafuente.art (12:32)
  • Critique 3: shipaints.com (9:53)
  • Critique 4: robertovamos.com (10:33)
  • Critique 5: carpenterhillstudios.com (5:52)
  • Critique 6: patriciamansell.com (6:39)
  • Critique 7: marilynwalter.com (5:41)
  • Thank You (0:20)Reminder (1:10)
Q&A 4 - Time Management & Decision Making - Coaching Call with Miguel Mayher
  • Introduction (1:35)
  • Question 1: How do I deal with my tendency to rebel against my schedule? (6:45)
  • Question 2: Do I need to register my alias? (4:52)
  • Critique 1: ...Germany, Finland, Sweden, Greece and now Berlin... (2:28)
  • Critique 2: Dawnsafarik.com (18:38)
  • Critique 3: christopherremmers.com (13:11)
  • Question 3: 25,000 public arts commission... (6:18)
  • Critique 4: zoedesbiens.com (7:13)
  • Question 4: Different statements for different purpose? (1:59)
  • Question 5: PR services for artists? (1:12)
  • Critique 5: stevemunro.art (10:01)
  • Critique 6: obeliskgallery.com (9:39)
  • Thank You (0:46)
Q&A 5 - Email list & Resourcefulness - Coaching Call with Miguel Mayher
  • Introduction (1:12)
  • Question 1: Does showing your new artwork with description give you more credibility than just a newsletter? (4:12)
  • Question 2: Is 6 months too long to go with no contact? (5:11)
  • Question 3: What's the value of a content calendar for your newsletter? (3:58)
  • Question 4: A balance between what gets shared in your newsletter vs social media? (3:04)
  • Question 5: What is a landing page and were I can find this working with Google? (7:17)
  • Critique 1 yummy cakes newsletter (16:43)
  • Critique 2 Setting sail - 1st newsletter (4:22)
  • Question 6: Mixing newsletters for multi purposes? (3:45)
  • Story (1:36)
  • Question 7: Fast way of importing contacts? (2:00)
  • Question 8 LinkedIn, connections vs contacts (3:27)
  • Question 9 Shopping cart & cookies (4:40)
  • Question 10 LinkedIn (3:03)
  • Key Points (1:21)
  • Question 11 Inviting important people to open studio (2:44)
  • Question 12 Categories of people in Newsletter (2:06)
  • Thank You (1:25)
Q&A 6 - Instagram & Connections Types - Coaching Call with Dina Brodsky
  • Introduction (2:53)
  • Question 1: How did you learn to use Instagram? (4:00)
  • Question 2: I am totally unfamiliar with Instagram... (3:02)
  • Question 3: Starting an Instagram account when I don't have a lot of paintings yet to post? (1:05)
  • Question 4: A special method of organizing and scheduling? (1:24)
  • Question 5: Days of the week and times best for visibility? (1:23)
  • Question 6: Instagram Analytics? (1:41)
  • Question 7: Does erasing a post that got a bad response affect the algorithm? (2:11)
  • Question 8: Too slow for 3-5 posts per week? (0:44)
  • Question 9: Is it important to post stories? (1:09)
  • Question 10: How to determine which hashtags are trending? (3:50)
  • Question 11: Common name that it is already used by another artist? (0:45)
  • Question 12: Hashtags that are "small" yet relevant and effective? (1:48)
  • Question 13: How much openness is too much? (0:41)
  • Question 14: Can you set up more than one Instagram account? (0:37)
  • Question 15: Difference between personal and professional account in Instagram? (1:04)
  • Question 16: Having a business account? (2:02)
  • Question 17: Private and professional, separate the two? Is it necessary - or too confusing and unnecessary? (0:28)
  • Question 18: Instagram highlights? (0:55)
  • Question 19: Do I have the wrong followers? (0:44)
  • Question 20: How do we make people stay when we post a single image? (3:50)
  • Question 21: Can you elaborate on the shows? (0:27)
  • Question 22: Approach “bigger” artists in a DM? (4:18)
  • Question 23: Categories on your Instagram such as art fairs, open studios, galleries? (1:01)
  • Critique 1: instagram.com/stevemunroart (4:33)
  • Critique 2: instagram.com/caritaschmidt_painter (3:20)
  • Critique 3: instagram.com/artefleur (6:22)
  • Critique 4: instagram.com/margretmcdermottartist (2:09)
  • Critique 5: instagram.com/ludovicachamois (4:12)
  • Critique 6: instagram.com/grubbsartist (3:16)
  • Critique 7: instagram.com/bhavyadixit (3:57)
  • Question 24: Influencer or Booster Accounts (1:01)Thank You (0:57)
Q&A 7 - Networking - Coaching Call with Miguel Mayher
  • Introduction (0:30)
  • Question 1: Tips on reaching out to multiple types of collectors at the same time? (5:26)
  • Question 2: Good strategies for getting connected with your collectors? (5:33)
  • Question 3: Collectors purchasing from the same artist repetitively? (11:05)
  • Critique 1: Artist talk / exhibit for your clients? (10:51)
  • Critique 2: Reaching out - draft 1- artist 1 (5:56)
  • Critique 3: Reaching out - draft 2- artist 2 (2:54)
  • Critique 4: Reaching out - draft 3- artist 3 (0:53)
  • Critique 5: Reaching out - draft 4- artist 4 (5:58)
  • Question 4: "When we are all concerned about food and water, what art related value can we offer?" (3:38)
  • Thank You (0:35)
Q&A 8- Problem Solving - Coaching Call with Miguel Mayher
  • Introduction (0:47)
  • Question 1: Explain in greater detail, Propose / Imagine (2:11)
  • Question 2: Portfolio of potential donors (50?) (11:34)
  • Story: "trying to make selling fun..." (11:23)
  • Offer: Webinars (24:04)
  • Question 3: POD Integration (3:53)
  • Question 4: Tech Support (2:07)
  • Question 5: Freelance work for hire (3:56)
  • Thank You (1:24)
Q&A 9- Group Show Blueprint & Personal Branding - Coaching Call with Rosalind Davis
  • Introduction (0:55)
  • Question 1: Group show based on artists working in digital vector imagery? (6:27)
  • Question 2: Thoughts on staging a show within a booth at a local art fair? (6:59)
  • Question 3: Is it customary (and fair) to negotiate different commission percentages depending on the artists' reputation, prices, etc.? (6:14)
  • Question 4: Pitfalls or frustrations in setting up your first show? (20:19)
  • Question 5: "the cost of organizing"? (7:24)
  • Question 6: How to approach journalists, critiques, etc. for the first time? (12:56)
  • Question 7: Online show - software or platform to use for this kind of thing? (5:31)
  • Question 8: How artists share their mailing list to build the audience? (18:14)
  • Question 9: Suggestions on 'gently' installing paintings temporarily in an office environment? (1:56)
  • Question 10: Best way to share a folder of images internationally? (3:00)
  • Question 11: What else goes on at a show? (3:32)
  • Question 12: Curating a show for 5 artists, what would be a good balance? (2:38)
  • Thank You (0:46)
Q&A 10- Gallery Representation & Marketing - Coaching Call with Jason Horejs
  • Introduction (1:34)
  • Question 1: Should all of our pieces be on the same type of substrate, for cohesion? (4:11)
  • Question 2: Power Point portfolio or a link to our website? (3:27)
  • Question 3: Wouldn’t a digital copy of our works be better than printed? (5:42)
  • Question 4: Galleries I would be approaching are not within distance for a personal visit, do you have any suggestions? (4:36)
  • Critique 1: Elevator Pitch (2:37)
  • Question 5: Regarding gallery representation at these times of pandemic. (5:46)
  • Question 6: Gallery owner as a “host” to a gallery in the same neighborhood? (7:17)
  • Question 7: Is it advisable not to do several different types of subjects? (1:33)
  • Question 8: Review my portfolio - Steve Munro (4:44)
  • Question 9: How important is a strong social media following to gallery owners? (4:59)
  • Question 10: Keep on building relationships with galleries after moving on the other side of the planet? (3:43)
  • Question 11: US born artist, but resident of South America, can you suggest a more international approach? (2:05)
  • Question 12: I'm new, up-and-coming artist... (7:36)
  • Question 13: If our website is a store, is that perceived negatively by a gallery? (6:26)
  • Question 14: What does a collector leave your gallery with when making a purchase? (6:07)
  • Question 15: NEED to spend a lot on framing? (2:18)
  • Question 16: Guidelines artists could use to recognize a good gallery without visiting? (7:48)
  • Question 17: Advise on insurance agencies when shipping artwork? (3:30)
  • Question 18: When the artist send you work on paper unframed? (2:20)
  • Question 19: Is an oil painting considered more valuable or professional than acrylic? (2:27)
  • Question 20: Maintain positive relationships with gallery owners throughout the years? (3:48)
  • Question 21: How much inventory should artists have on hand or how frequently do you want to see new works? (5:17)
  • Question 22: What would a typical contract between the artist and the curator look like? (4:01)
  • Question 23: Increase in online exhibitions in the next years? (3:20)
  • Question 24: Following up with galleries with no answer after a submission? (2:50)
  • Question 25: Artist's list of contacts asked by galleries? (1:55)
  • Question 26: "Digital" living rooms! Include in portfolio? (1:10)
  • Thank You (1:32)
Q&A 11- Sustainable Rhythm - Coaching Call with Miguel Mayher
  • Introduction (0:29)
  • Feedback on Sustainable rhythm (12:20)
  • Question 1 - How do I approach with tact to open the possibility of future sales? (5:40)
  • Question 2 - A business card app you could recommend? (1:38)
  • Question 3 - Feedback on Sustainable rhythm 2 (8:06)
  • Question 4 - Prices on each image of painting in your newsletter? (3:21)
  • Question 5 - 30% off for collectors? (2:47)
  • Question 6 - "Off the hook with goal setting" (7:26)
  • Question 7 - Click and buy art? (1:52)
  • Question 8 - A strategy for complex times? (3:48)
  • Question 9 - Art collectors, Rodriguez list and Sustainable planing, Finding collectors on LinkedIn? (4:29)
  • Question 10 - "invert the question" (3:50)
  • Question 11 - Solo gallery, LLC, Keep the momentum going, Accountability? (4:14)
  • Question 12 - "Care Box" of Art (5:53)
  • Question 13 - Sales Ideas for Incentive to Buy (3:51)
  • Question 14 - Feedback on Sustainable rhythm 3 (3:03)
  • Question 15 - Feedback on Sustainable rhythm 4 (1:34)
  • Question 16 - Feedback on Sustainable rhythm 5 (5:11)
  • Thank You and Farewell (4:24)

Sample Content

Mindset sample

Business Mindset: when it helps, and when it can hurt you

Strategy sample

Sales Conversations:

Tactics sample

Instagram Banned Hashtags:

Here's what our students are saying


Our students aren't just satisfied, they have transformed their art careers.

"I have such a momentum now"

Amy Shamansky

"Got gallery representation"

Steve Munro

"My two biggest pieces just sold"

Kim Roberts

"Business with a heart"

Jessica Feldheim

"They both said yes!"

Helene Planquelle

"It has exceeded all expectations"

Elise Erasmus

"I was unsure... now getting results"

Fabian Kochendoerfer

"The drive to implement so many things in such a short period of time"

Margaret McDermott

Frequently Asked Questions


How much time will I need to go through the program? Busy months ahead...

To achieve a new specific result every week, expect to dedicate 3 to 5 hours per week, for 8 weeks.

To give you flexibility, however, we offer all students 1 full year of access to the training.

This gives you plenty of time to go through the abundant extra resources listed above.

If you have not taken action within 12 months... you probably won't later.

We don't want the materials to be collecting dust for "one day when".

We want you to be successful, and the whole program is oriented toward taking step-by-step action.

Is the content geared more toward US artists, or is it applicable worldwide?

The program has been designed for a global audience.

We have instructors in Asia and from Europe/UK.

Past students have come from Australia, the Netherlands, Spain, Canada, and many other countries.

Humans are humans. Artists are artists.

We give you frameworks that get results no matter where you live.

If you adjust them to your local culture, you will have an edge, but 95%+ work anywhere in the world.

Does the faculty personally teach the course?

No. Our faculty created the lectures, designed all the workshops, and we recorded their delivery.
But the value for you comes from implementing it together with a cohort of peer artists.
You get as much out of the process as you put into it.

Each section of the course has three modalities:
a) Pre-recorded lectures and workshops, released weekly.
b) Live implementation session via Zoom, facilitated weekly by the course manager.
c) Interactive chat mastermind groups with up to 15 peer artists, for accountability and feedback.

If you are looking for 1:1 coaching and faculty Q&As then you should apply instead to the Accelerator.

Do I need to be tech-savvy?

No, you don’t.

We have had students who felt uncomfortable with technology but successfully followed our step-by-step workshops, lectures, and templates.

Whenever we talk about tech (such as your artist website or Instagram account), we explain it in easy terms and simplify the focus to the few critical things that matter.

That way, you can focus on just what you need to get results, and you don’t have to spend hours “figuring out” the tech.

I’m not sure if I’ve created enough artwork yet! Should I still join this program?

Chances are, you have been too busy with life and other work.

This program can help you fix that.

We will teach you how to structure your week and your days in a way that protects your art-making time, turning it into a consistent habit with a sustainable rhythm.

In the Professional Artist MBA, you’ll learn how many artworks you need and how they must relate to each other before you “put yourself out there”, whether you’re seeking gallery representation or creating your portfolio on your website.

This way, instead of coming up with excuses for why you are “not ready yet”, you will be able to create a realistic timeline for completing your body of work.

When you join the program, you’ll have access to all of the material for 1 year. This will allow you to structure your next 12 months for maximum productivity.

Apply for the next cohort of the Professional Artist MBA

The program dates:

This program is not currently open for enrollment

.

The application takes about 9 minutes to complete.