Art/Work by Heather Darcy Bhandari, Jonathan Melber (2009, Paperback)

Where was Art/Work when I was just starting out? Here's a down-to-earth book that teaches you all the nitty-gritty details you didn't learn in art school.
Art/Work gives artists of every level the tools they need to make it in the highly competitive art world. Whether you're an art school grad looking for a gallery, a mid-career artist managing a busy studio, or someone just thinking about becoming a professional artist, this book will help you build your career and protect yourself along the way.

Heather Darcy Bhandari, a gallery director, and Jonathan Melber, an arts lawyer, walk you through issues directly related to being a visual artist. They show you, for example, how to tackle business basics such as tracking inventory and preparing invoices; how to take legal precautions like registering a copyright and drafting consignment forms; how to use promotional tools like websites and business cards; and how to approach career decisions such as choosing the right venue to show your work. I found the chapter in dealing with galleries most informative, and I've been a practicing artist for almost 30 years.

In addition to drawing on their own experiences, Bhandari and Melber interviewed nearly one hundred curators, dealers, and other arts professionals to talk about what they expect from and look for in artists. The authors also talked to a variety of artists and the lessons they've learned navigating the cutthroat world of art.

No matter what kind of artist you are -- or want to be --No matter what your media, or what stage you are in your career, this book can help you. Art/Work covers everything you need to know to succeed, saving you from having to learn it all the hard way -- and letting you spend more time making art.