Introduction
This is my practice, research and entrepreneurial presentation. For this presentation I’m going to go into more detail about the archive that I’m creating, which for those who weren’t at the last presentation, It is archive which will allow me to continue with my work and promote myself no matter where I am.
At the last presentation I’d gathered the information for the archive, most of which is from the Artist Year Book and word of mouth. I used the report to sort though the information, and decide of its suitable and feasibility, looking at the application procedures, criteria and deadlines.
The information I’ve prepared for the presentation, shows the general information from the archive but also acts as an action plan and time table, that I plan to follow for the end of the MA.
It took me a while to think of a way to make it different from the last one, I did not think it would be really suitable to show all this information on boards for a presentation. I decided to do it this way, to explain what I've have been looking at by using it. There are also boards behind with extra information which I shall use as an action plan through out the MA.
The archive has developed since last time and is split into three sections:
- Work/Exhibitions,
- Promotion,
- And of Interest.
I am going to give a brief introduction on each section and go into more detail on what I am currently working on.
Work Exhibition:
Under Work and Exhibitions there is General Resources, Job Sites, Funding, organizations and societies and Residencies, Fairs and Competitions.
General Resources
These are all web-based sites which cover varied topics and resources, from job opportunities to residencies to competitions. These are the national ones Im going to use:
Some of these are combinations such as sattchi, which is also an online gallery. These are crossed referenced in my archive.
Most are free apart Axis, which has a fee of £25. I would not usually pay but this has a good reputation and allows you to view work opportunities and exhibit work online.
I am also looking at international sites such as:
and directory sites:
Job sites
For Job opportunity I am looking at the main art related job sites such as:
- Artist Newsletter www.A-N.co.uk (requires a annual registration fee of £28)
I have subscribed to most of these and receive daily emails of the latest jobs.
I have also used this to work on my arts c.v.
I have used art jobs for many years now and has some success:
- work shown in the Newcastle open,
- working and exhibiting with Rainbow Images, a dyslexic consultancy which influenced my MA project,
- the volunteering opportunity at the New Exchange, and
- work published on the online magazine Creature Mag, which can be found at.
Funding
I have looked at some funding bodies such as The Arts Council, Elephant Trust, Woo Charitable foundation and Arts Quartly magazine. These are for future use and the archive contains all details and information. I decided I did not want to compromise my art or settle for an arts career which I am unsure of. I have decided to fund my art myself through casual work, which will allow me to travel, so for this I worked on a c.v. for applying for general work.
My art c.v. and work c.v. both show what I have accomplished in different parts of my life and here I am trying to use them to help me accomplish my future goals.
Organisations, Societies, Organizations and Networks
There are the general web based organisations, which I plan to use for help and support such as:
But I am also interested in learning about societies and the benefits of joining.
Vanilla Galleries
I have applied to join Vanilla Galleries and I am waiting for a response which will be at the end of June. At first I didn’t see the point in join local groups as I don’t know how long I will be here and I was worried about been pigeon hold by been in a group. I still don’t know if this is the right step as I do respect there work but I would rather move away from the association of university and student to that of an artist so I guess I am testing the waters here. On the other hand I saw the benefit and influence of been in a group when I tried to get work exhibited in the orange tree which just displays work from the vanilla galleries group.
I am also interested in Art and spirituality Network but will look more into them after finishing as my main focus is on the MA at the moment and things may change after.
I am also noting society which may be of use in the future such as Contemporary Art Society, which promotes the collection of contemporary arts through gifts to public galleries and organizations which protect artist rights.
Residencies/ Fairs, Awards, prizes, competitions and opens
Here I am looking at residencies, fairs, competitions and opens I want to enter, and devising a timetable for me to know when to apply.
In the archive and on the boards, I have detailed information on each one, the procedure and time table. So by the end if the MA I can prepare according to the procedure and criteria and send off when needed.
These are just the specific ones, there are also sites which gives these information which I will continually check for new opportunities.
At the moment I have entering the Jerwood drawing competition.
Promotion:
Web site
To promote myself I plan build my own web site, in the boards there is everything that Ive taken inconsideration. I plan to produce a site before the end but the final design needs to compliment my work. I've been looking at some for design ideas, I like this one:
www.sirmikeofmitchell.com
It clear and simple but I plan for the Navigation to be tailored towards my way of working but may be subject to change. Most of what the site requires is the work from the final module but I am trying complete what can be done now, such as the bio, training and exhibition, so it will be easier later on.
Have also looked hosting sites and domain names and different price packages I’ve found a good deal from 1&1, I will purchase this as well as the subscriptions to magazine and organisations at the end of the ma when I can properly make use of them as the Ma is my main focus at the moment. The web site will also improving my working method by giving me a professional email address.
Business Cards
I also plan to produce business cards to advertise my website and work, again I have looked into the pricing and preparation now to make it easier later on.
Online Galleries
At the end of the MA I plan to put my work onto the following online galleries, as I feel they are suitable for this stage in my career. I want to avoid ones which are commercial and offer premium accounts
I have more details on each gallery and their criteria for work in my archive.
I am also using other types of site such as this blogger which I have used here. i am going to use this as an arts diary noting and displaying my development. This is a site I am able to use right away.
I have also been using a forum site Apedogs to receive feed back and advice on work.
www.sirmikeofmitchell.com/apedogs
I used this site to get advice about what images to enter for the Jerwood drawing prize. You can find my post here:
http://www.sirmikeofmitchell.com/apedogs/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=298
Of Interest:
This section requires me to go into less detail as it is more for influences such as:
- Art Magazines im interested in such as Arts Monthly, with has the deadlines for the Helen Chadwick residency which I am interested in.
- Fairs I would like to visit like frieze and Free range which is on at the moment.
- Gallery guides to keep up to date with exhibitions both national and internation, so I can find information no matter where I am.
There is also a section for:
- If I move to London, which has information on studio spaces, organisations and awards which are only for reseidencets of London, as although I don’t want to go there at the moment I am interested in moving there some time in the future.
I do envision this archive changing by the end of the MA and as I move on, and I shall be adding to this with new topics when I arrive at each new location. covering topics such as:
- Material resources and equipment.
- Art libraries.
- Evening classes, such as life drawing, ceramics.
- Studio spaces.
Thank You
Any Questions?
