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Professional practice
Practical guides
How do I set up in business, organise events, make proposals? What are my responsibilities on copyright, insurance and health and safety? What's the best way to price work, approach galleries, get legal advice and collect debts?
Use these guides from artists, curators and arts experts as an introduction to being professional as an artist.
Guides
Agreeing a contract
This guide by Sheena Etches and Nicholas Sharp outlines issues and practicalities to be aware of when negotiating and agreeing a contractual arrangement. Subscribers read on…
Guide, a-n.co.uk April 2003
Applying the age discrimination law
Since the new regulations came in, artists and small arts organisations have wanted to know how they will work in practice. Although this guidance from solicitor Nicholas Sharp of Swan Turton is aimed predominantly at organisations, it is relevant for any individual artist who undertakes employed or freelance work. Subscribers read on…
Guide, a-n.co.uk March 2007
Approaching galleries
While there are no set rules, this guide by Gavin Wade suggests a number of imaginative strategies for creating gallery interest in your work. Subscribers read on…
Guide, a-n.co.uk April 2003
Assessing opportunities
A selection of artists and advisers identify the right questions to ask when sussing out the good opportunities from the mediocre and downright mendacious. Compiled by Susan Jones. Read on…
Guide, a-n.co.uk March 2007
Becoming self employed
For most artists, self employment is the best option of receiving income giving freedom to choose work, better work-life balance and tax savings compared to just being employed. This guide by Russell Smith explains what you need to know in becoming a self employed artist. Subscribers read on…
Guide, a-n.co.uk June 2007
Budgets
A budget is an essential tool for any artist planning a new project, making a funding application or drawing up a business plan. This guide from the Cultural Enterprise Office in Glasgow offers straightforward advice on how to construct and manage a simple budget. Subscribers read on…
Guide, a-n.co.uk April 2003
Commission agreements
This checklist by Sheena Etches and Nicholas Sharp covers many issues relevant to small-scale private and public art commissions, with questions to consider and further explanation of issues arising in the notes. Subscribers read on…
Guide, a-n.co.uk April 2003
Community Interest Companies (CICs)
This guide by Nicholas Sharp introduces Community Interest Companies (CIC), a new species of limited company created in 2005. Aimed principally at social enterprises the CIC may well prove popular over time in the arts and charity sectors. Subscribers read on…
Guide, a-n.co.uk September 2006
Copyright
As a UK artist you automatically hold copyright in your original works of art. This guide by Lee Gage introduces the basic concepts of copyright law and offers practical advice on protecting your work against possible infringement. Subscribers read on…
Guide, a-n.co.uk April 2003
Establishing a studio group
This guide by Jonathan Waring covers the process of establishing a studio group: from having the initial idea, bringing together a likeminded group of artists and getting hold of a space, to running the studios effectively on a day-to-day basis. Subscribers read on…
Guide, a-n.co.uk June 2007
Exporting
It takes considerable time and energy to sustain an overseas market. This guide by Anamaria Wills introduces key export principles and support structures and will help to establish whether you are ready to explore the potential of selling your work abroad. Subscribers read on…
Guide, a-n.co.uk April 2003
Funding applications
Fundraising is a competitive activity. This guide by Lisa Le Feuvre introduces the main funding sources and offers guidelines to help make winning funding applications. Subscribers read on…
Guide, a-n.co.uk April 2003
Gallery, dealer and agent agreements
The following checklist by Sheena Etches and Nicholas Sharp covers many of the issues that arise when artists enter an arrangement with a private gallery, dealer or agent. Subscribers read on…
Guide, a-n.co.uk April 2003
Getting legal advice
Most professional artists will occassionally need to seek legal advice about some aspect of their practice. This guide by Rebecca Farley signposts key sources of legal advice and information. Subscribers read on…
Guide, a-n.co.uk April 2003
Getting paid
As a professional artist you may spend a good part of your time sending out invoices, chasing payments and generally worrying about your cashflow. This guide by Alison Branagan considers different payment options and offers practical advice on managing debtors. Subscribers read on…
Guide, a-n.co.uk April 2003
Going for grants
Applying for funding? Ever wondered how the experts do it? Rosemary Shirley asked a range of experienced artists, curators and arts professionals to share their top tips for successful funding applications. Subscribers read on…
Guide, a-n.co.uk October 2005
Licensing reproductions
This checklist by Sheena Etches and Nicholas Sharp is a tool to help understand the purpose and content of a reproduction licence. Subscribers read on…
Guide, a-n.co.uk April 2003
Marketing
Marice Cumber introduces key marketing concepts for artists and offers advice to help target your marketing effectively. Subscribers read on…
Guide, a-n.co.uk April 2003
Negotiating a better rate of pay
Getting paid a fair fee is not suggestive of a revolution. So why does it sometimes incur resistance, both from those who pay and from ourselves? This guide by Rod McIntosh introduces ideas towards getting paid what you want and indeed deserve. Read on…
Guide, a-n.co.uk January 2005
Not just a job but an opportunity
A guide to using Jobs & opps as a learning resource. Jane Watt reveals how www.a-n.co.uk/jobs_and_opps can be used as a valuable resource for artists to develop professional practice. She looks at how information from past opportunity listings, project reports and interviews can be used by artists to realise present and future goals. This guide is punctuated by a series of six ‘activities’ that enable users to realise the full potential of resources on offer. Read on…
Guide, a-n.co.uk October 2009
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