ASK ESA - Career Coaches

Career Coaches An artist wrote in recently asking me about "career coaches" that claim to help artists with things ranging from general career advice to producing marketing materials about their work. I realize this might sound distasteful but it happens, and there are some who would advise you to market yourself as any company might market their sprockets or line of designer doggie coats. The question was whether or not these coaches have a reputation for effectively helping artists careers. Although I am well aware these services exist around the country (there aren't that many), I have not gotten a handle on how helpful they actually are, and haven't attempted any research as it usually involves a one-way exchange of cold hard cash. To top all of this mystery off, I have never heard from artists who have first hand experience paying for coaching or advising.

I myself have played at the coaching game informally and most of what I end up doing is helping artists get some perspective on their careers or pointing my well manicured finger in a useful direction. Unless I am able to provide them with sure fire connections to people or organizations who might benefit their careers it seems impossible to charge money for this service and it is usually proffered only to artists whose work I am very familiar with. The glaring issue for me is that the art world and it's economic conditions are totally subjective and some of the good advice you pay for, might be useless to you. Which is why, until recently, art schools wouldn't even broach the subject of how to run your business of being an artist.

Still, AK readers demand to know if it works so I propose a little research assignment for anyone who is game. I would be delighted if some of you would check some of these services out and then give me some feed back to share in this column with the rest of the AK audience. Call them up and ask them questions, ask your artist friends or by all means pay the small fee to take a "teleclass" with Geoffrey Gorman. I have provided a list of the individuals, websites and organizations I am aware of but there are more lurking in the shadows as well many non-profit, state and municipal programs to assist artists with their professional development, so contact your nearest arts council or agency. If you want to attack your local yellow pages they usually go by the name of Artists Advisor or Coach and do not confuse the with Art Consultants who are a whole different kettle of fish who help people who want to buy art. Alternatively, let me know if you have had any experience with a company or individual who provides marketing or coaching services.

So my little spies - go out and grill these people and if you have the money to shell out to pay them for some help I would be delighted to share your findings here. You dig the dirt and I'll publish it!

Companies: Artisin, Geoffrey Gorman + Associates, Plum Projects, Carol Michaels, Jeremy Stone, Mona Berman, NurtureArt

Non-profits: AIM at Bronx Museum , Art in General's - SmArt Tools Sessions, call 212-219-0473 for more information and NYFA's, artist hotline here in New York - call (800) 232-2789 between the hours of 1 and 5 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday Websites: ArtBiz.com, Artadvice.com, Artbizcoach.com,

And now some comments about last issues column: Several of you Krushies wrote in to thank me for my last column about slide libraries.

An artist by the name of J wrote "Thanks Mistress Esa, for the informative slide registry kick in the butt. I can attest for slide registry success. I've been curated into shows both at White Columns and Dumbo arts center from their registries. I haven't updated my slides since finishing grad school last year so thanks for the push."

I also heard from Tracina Priest who is the slide librarian for R&F handmade paints. She wants you all to know that they have a free slide registry for artists who use wax in their artwork and that R&F sponsors a biennial exhibition, the next being in 2003. Past jurors include Judy Pfaff and Mia Westerland-Roosen. Visit their website at www.rfpaints.com.

I left Exit Art here in New York out of the mix by accident and they kindly wrote in remind me that "Exit Art also maintains an open call for slides and curates an annual 'new artist' exhibition from the thousands of slides we receive annually. Artists such as Inka Essenhigh, Fred Tomaselli, Shirin Neshat, Roxy Paine and Brad Kahlhamer (along with dozens of others) have all had their work exhibited early on in these celebrated exhibitions. Thanks!"

Happy coach hunting and remember that I await your questions and comments!

Mistress Esa