I love being an artist! I can't imagine living my life any other way, but it does get tough at times. Working in isolation can be lonely and trying to pull off this "business-y" stuff, when I'd rather be doing anything else is a challenge. Luckily there are some incredible resources that readily available:
Network
Don't worry, I'm not talking about those painfully awkward networking events where you wear a name tag and pass out business cards. However, networking is important as an artist for so many reasons: sharing resources, trouble shooting, collaborating, staying sane! I've tried a few different online networks and recently joined one specifically for women artists. THRIVE is a mastermind group that meets once a month (in person if you're in Vancouver, Canada or online). Members meet up to share exciting accomplishments, work in progress, resources and ask for help or feedback.
Social Media
Social media, what a beast! New platforms keep popping up and the algorithms keep changing. It helps to have a resource like Hootsuite Academy to stay up to speed. Canva is a free online image editor that includes a bunch of templates optimized for social media and Square Size app is an easy way to create perfect square images for Instagram. When is comes to posting, it's such a huge time saver to prepare a bunch of posts and schedule them in advance. Later is great for Instagram and has a free option.
Systems & Habits
The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp is a classic. It includes 32 practical exercises for cultivating creativity. James Clear and Leo Babauta of Zen Habits both write about systems for business and life. Megan Minns is a systems coach. She has a ton of useful videos about planning and she sells super affordable, easy to use spreadsheets project planning a tracking.
Grant Writing
Applying for grants can be incredibly daunting. The Foundation Center has a lot of grant writing resources as well as a massive database of funding opportunities.
Exhibition Opportunities
Call for Entry is a great place to look for exhibition opportunities. The website is user-friendly and has a lot of listings to choose from. Artists can apply directly from the site and store image files for later use. Create Magazine is print publication and website that supports artists through online features, call for entries and grants. Open studios and art fairs are great for gaining exposure, making sales and networking. Here is a really thorough checklist for hosting an open studio. Square is a nifty gadget that allows you to accept credit card payments with a smart phone.
Do you have any favorite resources to share? Add them to the comments!