Networking for Artists 101
Networking: a term that strikes fear into the heart of any introvert. Yet, it is one of the most important skills for all emerging artists and creatives. Many people feel that networking is a mysterious form of social magic that one is naturally able or unable to cast. However, this is a common misconception. Just like any other creative or communicative skill, networking is an art that can be learned and developed. Don’t be afraid: the Art Voyage 101 guide to artist networking is here to help!
What is Networking?
The word “networking” is often associated with a vague sheen of corporate schmooze, bringing to mind stilted, impersonal small talk and unsolicited copy-paste LinkedIn messages. But networking is not just about self-promotion and sales – it is an opportunity to share who you are and find your own creative community.
Artist networking is the process of building a “network” of contacts with artists, curators, collectors, gallerists, etc. as part of developing your professional reputation and building an artistic brand. In practice, it simply means talking to and learning from other creatives and professionals in your field – not so intimidating when you put it like that, is it?
Where Do I Network?
Any art-related event is a great opportunity to meet fellow artists, collectors, and enthusiasts. Some examples include art fairs, exhibition openings, gallery lates, and talks from curators or other experts. Engaging with artist groups and collectives in your area, or attending local workshops and meetups, are often less formal and can be less intimidating places to get started. You could also try volunteering at a gallery or art institution.
Digital and Remote Networking
Online platforms allow us to form connections with people all across the world with the click of a button, which makes them excellent networking tools when used correctly. Social media sites have therefore become invaluable platforms for any creative, especially for those who live further away from the major cultural centres in big cities.
It’s great to have a blend of “traditional” networking platforms, like LinkedIn, and “non-traditional” platforms such as Instagram, X, Threads and TikTok, as these allow for a broader range of connection and help to grow your audience (for more information, be sure to check out our resource on Social Media for Artists).
How Do I Network
Research, Research, Research
Make your networking more targeted, efficient and effective by doing as much research as possible. Never contact a gallery or gallerist without looking into their existing collections, target audience and organisational values. If you aren’t a good match, it’s a waste of their time and yours. Effective research will also help you discover new places, events, and fellow artists to connect with.
Respect Personal & Professional Boundaries
Respect your connections’ space, time and boundaries: as a rule, keep all interactions concise and courteous. Few people have time to listen to a long speech or presentation about your work, so you should practice introducing yourself and your work in a few sentences.
Confidence and assertiveness are invaluable life skills, but one of the most important aspects of any networking interaction is knowing when to step back. Being pushy, rude, or invasive can lose potential opportunities or even get you blacklisted. It may sound obvious, but being polite is crucial to success. Bear in mind that when making international connections, language barriers and different standards of appropriate conduct may apply. For example, different cultures may consider handshakes, bows, or other gestures to be professional greetings.
You should also be mindful of your digital footprint and protect your reputation by creating and maintaining healthy, professional digital boundaries. Sending business enquiries to a collector’s personal private Instagram, or marketing yourself via a Facebook account containing your family photos and holiday snaps rarely gets the desired results.
Look For Genuine Connection
Networking is, in essence, the art of conversation – it’s all about building connections. You should show a genuine interest in the person you are talking to, and not just what they can offer; this means you should be listening just as much as, if not more than, you are talking. Practice active listening, ask follow-up questions and show attentive body language.
If you struggle with some of these skills, practice with a trusted friend or mentor. Public speaking experts recommend recording yourself and watching it back to pick up on your verbal and nonverbal cues, such as body language, pitch, and pace, which can all contribute to a more confident, engaging impression. However, over-practicing can also make the wrong impression, as it can seem too polished or stilted. It sounds cheesy, but “be yourself” is a cliche for a reason.
Don’t forget that these connections go both ways: “positive networking” involves considering what you can offer back. This can include reaching out to other emerging artists, offering advice, or hosting workshops. Sharing your knowledge and experience in this way benefits everyone and helps turn networking into a mutual process of building professional communities.
Follow Up
Today, it is considered best practice to send a follow-up message or email the day after a meeting. This helps to solidify the connection and will make a stronger impression in the mind of your conversation partner. These do’s and don’ts are best practice for
- DO briefly re-introduce yourself. Your conversation partner at any networking event has likely met a lot of people in a short space of time, and will appreciate the reminder.
- DO refer to one or two specific points from your conversation that you found interesting or insightful.
- DO use relatively formal, polite language from a professional email address. Emailing from [full name]@artvoyage.org makes a better impression than artmaster3000@hotmail.com. Non-professional email addresses are also more likely to be marked as spam. If you are reaching out via Instagram or another platform, use your business/artist account rather than your personal page.
- DON’T message at unusual hours. Sending an email at 3 AM is seen as unprofessional and may mean your message is less likely to be noticed. If you prefer to work in the evenings or early mornings, it can be helpful to schedule your messages to automatically send during business hours. If you are working internationally, make sure you take time zones into account.
- DON’T forget to check spelling and grammar. Poor written communication sends a message of carelessness. Remember that spellcheck and proofreading software such as Grammarly do not catch everything. Always double-check names and titles (Mr, Mrs, Ms, Mx, Dr, etc.) as errors cause confusion at best and offence at worst.
Have Fun!
The term “networking” rings somewhat clinical, but it doesn’t have to be. Broadening your horizons, meeting new people, and discovering opportunities are all exciting parts of your creative journey. Aside from the basic etiquette guidelines outlined above, there are no hard and fast rules of engagement: you can tailor your process entirely to fit your preferences.
Further Reading
Here are some more helpful resources across different platforms to help you form great connections and grow your career through networking.
- Format: “Totally Easy Networking Tips for Artists & Creators”
- Artwork Archive: “Essential Strategies for Artists to Master the Art of Networking”
- The Art Coaching Club Podcast
- Tarra Lu: “Networking Tips for Artists Who Hate Small Talk”
- Christina Kent Art: “How I Network at Art Openings”
- Contemporary Art Issue: “How to Approach Art Galleries (Networking Explained)”
- TEDx Talks: Rick Turoczy, “An Introvert’s Guide to Networking”
- Art Prof: “NETWORKING Tips for Artists”
If you want to take your learning even further, many platforms and organisations offer professional coaching or courses for artist networking. For example, Blue Rhino Art Consultancy, a partner organisation of Art Voyage, offers Artist Mentorship packages, which you can learn about here.