How to be a professional artist
J’ai aussi écrit une version française de cet article.
To be a professional artist, you must do three things:
1) Make art every day.
This requirement should go without saying. You cannot be a professional in any industry unless you are practicing that profession on a regular basis.
2) Behave in a business-like manner.
This requirement has some flexibility. Different artists will choose to play with business conventions in different ways. For example, most artists will not wear a suit and tie and, depending on the circles they move in, they will not be considered unprofessional for eschewing this bit of etiquette.
Mostly, this stipulation is about showing respect for your colleagues and your patrons. It consists of showing up on time and answering queries about your work promptly, among other things. It’s about being polite even if your art isn’t. Another way to put it: don’t be a flake.
3) Be recognized as an artist by your colleagues.
This requirement might seem to smack of in-crowd politics, but it’s not that at all. It’s actually a matter of demonstrating your commitment to your career choice in such a way that others cannot help but acknowledge it. This could translate to simply doing your thing for long enough but, to accelerate this process, you might also focus on getting publicity as an artist, obtaining gallery representation, earning an MFA, or winning grants and other prizes.
Gwenn Seemel
Eric and Tracy
2008
acrylic on canvas
24 x 36 inches (combined dimensions)
You’ll notice that making a living as an artist doesn’t appear among the requirements for being a professional artist. That’s because making money is not necessary in order to qualify as a professional, but, perhaps not surprisingly, money tends to flow towards artists who do all of the above. That’s just part of what makes being a professional artist—also known as an entrepreneurial artist—better than being any other kind of artist.
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CATEGORIES: - Business of art -
(5) Comments / Commentaires: How to be a professional artist
#3 is quite important. The respect from other artists is not only congenial but is often quite practical, expanding opportunities. I have often been asked to refer other artists for exhibitions or projects. A network of artists also makes it possible to share information about not only
list but techniques and materials. Like any other occupation, business it is important to have good relationships with your peers.
It’s interesting how both of you really related to #3. The inspiration for the post was meeting one too many self-proclaimed professionals who couldn’t handle #2. I just had to say something! 
I totally agree with your 3 must do’s. However I’m not sure that you can call an artist a “proessional” if they are not living from their art. I know there have been exceptions like vincent van Gogh but these days artist living on the dole should perhaps be called, just that, artists.
@Svein: I get why you want to make the distinction, but, as you pointed out by making an exception immediately, I’m not sure that it’s actually very useful. Also, the point of this article is to ask all artists (whether or not they make a living with their work) to raise the behavior bar, because I, for one, am tired of the way “artist” seems to mean “flake” to many people!
Pattie...
Hi Gwenn, these are all so important bu I especially agree with number 3! Here’s to the ‘entrepreneurial spirit’ in us all!
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