Art

10 Other general recommendations When you’ve read all of the parts of my series about writing for better artist marketing, you’ll have a good idea of ​​what is important. In today’s last part of the series, I’ll give you some very general tips that you can apply to all types of text mentioned so far. So now take another look at all the texts that you may have already written and check them against the following checklist. Anyway, it is always good advice to let a written text rest for a while and revise it later. Checklist: In short: In any case – regardless of the actual length of the text – less is usually more! Avoid lengthy explanations, avoid unnecessarily many filler words, get to the point quickly. Above all, avoid repetitions, even if they were phrased differently, but in the end only mean the same thing. Instead, spice up your text with meaningful adjectives. No superlatives: Avoid phrases like “the best”, “unique”, “never seen before”. That sounds implausible. Write real content and describe real benefits. Optics: make your text clear! The longer it is, the more important thematically ordered paragraphs and structuring words (= especially bullet points and conjunctions) such as: first / second / third, also, finally, both / and, however, although, so that etc. Grammatical style: Write variedly in terms of choice of words and sentence structure. Above all, make sure that not too many sentences start alike. Use the passive voice only rarely or not at all. Active language is much more appealing. Content style: Write understandably! Choose a language that is easy to understand. Avoid too many foreign words or insider terms, avoid nested sentences. Other style: If you want to choose a gender-appropriate language, read my detailed blog article from Oct. 11, 2017: “A small introduction to inclusive language for writing about art.” Linguistic correctness: Even if you can of course correct your spelling and grammar at any point as soon as you notice a mistake, the most important thing at the end is to read your text well again and again and again. You often don’t see the forest for the trees. Maybe you can give your text to someone else to look over it. Layout: When your text is ready, make it visually appealing. Warning: This does not mean that you should also act out your creativity here! Text that is too colorful and with too much formatting or an unusual font often appears confusing and less appealing. Document form: And finally, think carefully about HOW you will send your finished texts if you plan to do so. A PDF document can be very inconvenient for recipients because you cannot simply copy it. If your text is needed for an exhibition catalog, for example, then the best thing to do is simply write it into the email. You should also avoid unnecessary formatting (e.g. bold print, special fonts or built-in paragraphs), as they usually have to be removed at the end anyway. Show your creativity in your art, but not in the appearance of your texts! Last but not least, a professional external image is very important: Anyone who has the time and digital competence should have their own website on which each selection committee can easily and always up-to-date information about the artist. Here you can present your artistic biography and your artistic statement as well as your vita to a wide audience. Anyone who has never created their own website should seek advice on content and design in order to avoid typical beginner mistakes. But that’s a completely different topic again ..

9 texts for the exhibition You finally got the exhibition space! The effort of the application process was worth it. But not all work is done yet. Because even at the exhibition site there is one or the other that you have to write down. speech Surely the first thing you think of is a speech. However, you only need to prepare it yourself if it is a solo exhibition and there is no one else at the exhibition site who will hold it. It can also happen that the speaker is not too well prepared, for example at a solo exhibition in a town hall, where someone from the city has agreed to speak but is not really used to talking about art. In these cases, you need to prepare yourself. However, it is difficult to give “instructions” for this. Every exhibition venue, every audience is different. I would therefore like to limit myself to a few general recommendations at this point: Be prepared for your audience – in most cases quite mixed. Avoid too intellectual speech and don’t brag about insider knowledge from the art world and art history. Just be yourself. Most people are very fond of authentic presentations. Make sure to include some humorous aspects, perhaps an anecdote. If you want to thank people, you should definitely know their full names and pronounce them correctly. Write down keywords and practice your speech. Everything else – including the actual content – is a matter of taste. Labels There are two important principles for designing labels for your artwork: Make it uniform and easy to read. Be sure to write a contact option (e.g. telephone number, email address, website) and a clear identification of the work of art (number or title) on each label. So guests can easily take a quick cell phone photo for later if interested. Flyer It’s always good when guests can take something home. A professional flyer with photos and text about your art is a great option. You can design the flyer independently of the current exhibition so that you can display it on several exhibitions. Information signs Sometimes you need a sign for certain purposes, e.g. if you want to refer to a guest book or your mailing list. Since it is always the worst to judge whether signs are seen and understood without asking, you should test your signs on a few good friends and take their suggestions for improvement seriously.

8 Excursus: Submit photos for application If you want or need to submit digital photos of your artwork with your application, you should familiarize yourself with a few technical details. In some cases it is specified exactly how the file of your photo should look like. Here you have no choice but to get this done somehow. If you can’t do it yourself, you need to find someone to help you. Otherwise your application may be sorted out directly – or in some cases of online applications, the system won’t even allow you to send the application at all. In other cases no precise or only partial specifications are given. Even so, there are a few things you should know. Type of file Unless otherwise specified (!), You should send an image file in the attachment as a single file in JPG format. This means that under no circumstances should you insert an image file into a Word document or PDF or any other program that is not primarily intended for the transmission of image files. Naming the file Unless otherwise specified (!), It is a good idea to use your last name and the title of the image to name the file. If you send multiple photos, you can also number them. Make sure, however, that the file name is not too long, you may shorten the title of the image. It’s best to add underscores between the individual parts. An example: 1_Sommer_Meeresblick.jpg Size of the file Check the file size of your image file. Unless otherwise specified (!), A size of less than 1 MB is sufficient. Photos with more than 5 MB or even more than 10 MB can lead to long download processes, which are very annoying for curators who want to get a * quick * overview. Resolution of the file Unless otherwise specified (!), A resolution of 72 dpi is sufficient initially. Otherwise the download process will be delayed here as well. Resolutions of up to 300 dpi are only required for good print catalogs, but this is usually expressly stated in the tender. Amount of image files This, too, is usually precisely specified in the tender. If you are applying on your own initiative, it is best to limit yourself to three – at most (!) But five – image files. As a curator, it is not uncommon for me to suddenly receive over 20 pictures and I have neither the time nor the inclination to look at them all. All I want is a first impression. Large amount of image files If – for whatever reason – it is necessary and agreed that you send a larger number of pictures, you should not put more than five in a single email in order to avoid technical problems. It is possible that your program will automatically convert all files to a zip folder. Or some mail programs automatically upload the files to their own cloud and the recipient is then sent a download link. However, it is advisable to find out beforehand what the recipient prefers. If you don’t know how your own mail program reacts and what the other side wants: I can highly recommend the WeTransfer service, which allows you to send up to 2 GB for free in a really simple way. Quality of photography It goes without saying that your photography should show your work of art in the best possible light. This is to be understood both literally and figuratively. A picture for the wall shouldn’t show wallpaper around it, it shouldn’t hang crooked, it shouldn’t be distorted and the sunlight or lamplight shouldn’t reflect in it. Also, no “creative” extras such as additional lettering should be incorporated. Even professional frames don’t really improve the quality of photography. Just show your picture as it is! With a sculpture, you have to make sure that no disturbing elements appear in the background and that the color contrast of the work of art and the background clearly shows the work of art and does not make it disappear.

7 Invitation to an exhibition There are different ways to invite to your exhibition. If you have time, you should use them all. Invitation card or invitation flyer If you are familiar with the layout and design options in one or more programs on the PC or Mac, you can create your own flyer. You can also see whether you can find something suitable in the numerous design templates of the respective programs and then make the appropriate adjustments. In addition, there are online service providers who specialize in offering you an easy-to-understand layout program with many design templates. It gets a little more complicated if you intend to have your flyer printed and the print service provider sets very specific requirements for submitting your document. But most print service providers are prepared for the fact that not everyone with the appropriate knowledge can shine and offer simple layout programs for their part, where you can create your flyer online. Don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t work out the first time. Then try another provider whose program you get along better with. In general, pay attention to clarity and readability . Creativity in the advertising industry follows different laws than creativity in art. Often less is more in terms of the choice of images and the length and formatting of the text. Colors should also be used sparingly (apart from any images) and not too bright. You can put the icing on the cake of professionalism on everything by choosing up to three colors and two fonts, which you explain to your brand colors or brand fonts and use again and again. You might even design your own logo with exactly these colors. If you have little idea about these things, then fall back on the design templates already mentioned and use the ideas of other creative minds who are more familiar with them. The more you want to develop yourself and your brand, the more clearly a financial investment can be very worthwhile. Invitation by email in times of the GDPR With the month of May 2018, a new era for invitations by email has dawned: The new EU General Data Protection Regulation stipulates that you cannot simply send invitations to all possible contacts at random unless you have received written consent from the recipient beforehand. You certainly don’t have to ask your friends and family members for permission. But if you have created a mailing list with several hundred names over the years and your art is also offered for sale at the exhibitions, then you are acting as a self-employed entrepreneur and there are rules for that. I do not offer any further advice on this topic at this point. I can only strongly recommend you to find out what exactly you need to consider in your personal case. Invitations as an email attachment But I would also like to give a few general tips on how an email invitation should be designed. Many artists create a chic invitation in flyer format (see above), then save it as a PDF document (or, if necessary, as a JPG) and send it as an email attachment. So far so good. Unfortunately, however, the associated emails are often very “ugly”, very impersonal and uninviting. In the worst case, they contain no text at all, just the appendix. At first glance, such emails look like a gray mouse in the daily flood of emails, nobody suspects which fancy flyer is attached and the chance that someone will download the attachment decreases rapidly. Because: First of all, people want to know why they should invest the time to download. And above all, they also want to know that it is not spam and that they can catch the virus that is currently circulating with one click. Therefore: Make the effort and already write the essential information about your exhibition in the email text. (It really doesn’t hurt if some data is repeated in the attached flyer.) And explicitly refer to the attachment and explain why it is worth opening it. Create an event on social media If you are on Facebook or XING, for example, you can create an event there in just a few steps and invite your contacts to join. This also has the advantage that your contacts will be automatically reminded of the event when the time comes. Press invitation When you send your information to the press, you should keep in mind that you can kill two birds with one stone if you formulate your letter cleverly: You ask the press to publish your information AND you invite the press your event!

6 cover letters In the arts sector there can be many different types of applications. Sometimes you are simply provided with an online form that you have to fill out – and that’s it. You don’t have to think twice. In other cases, traditional application documents are expected, as is the case in other professional areas. However, once some form of cover letter is required, there are a few things to keep in mind. It does not matter whether this cover letter is sent by email or post, whether the text content is short or detailed. It also doesn’t matter whether you are already applying for a detailed advertisement or whether you are sending an unsolicited application or maybe just want to get some preliminary information. In all cases, Make it clear that a cover letter is the first thing others will notice of you. It thus serves as a door opener and gives the very first impression. When, as a curator, I send two-line emails like “I hereby apply to participate in the Brücker Art Days. I have exhibited several times. With best regards… “(not an isolated case!), I don’t feel very motivated to take a closer look at the artist. I also have to research everything myself and answer the questions I have if I should shortlist someone. The possibly good vita collapses as quickly as a house of cards. You should therefore anticipate the answers to possible questions and make your cover letter as meaningful and professional as possible. Restrict yourself to pure information and leave out “sentimentalism”. The salutation A good cover letter starts with a reasonable salutationto: Try to find out who exactly you are sending the cover letter to and name this person by name. If you already know the person personally, you can make the salutation a little looser and start with “Dear …” or “Hello …”. A “Dear….” Is not out of date even today if you are unsure whether the person would like to go directly to this level with you. You can usually tell from the answer to your letter how the person you are writing to would like to communicate, and you can then do that directly. If you’ve already got to know the person personally, but don’t know whether he or she remembers it, it is best to point out where you met in the first sentence. Clear formulations Then state your intention to apply and say who you are and what you do. Also explain the reasons for your application. It is important that you provide clear information with all of this information . State explicitly what exactly you are applying for (title of the exhibition, period of the exhibition, etc.). If there are attachments (photos, documents), point them out explicitly: Say what exactly you can find in the appendix, or list the individual components, if there are more than three. If it is not yet an application, but simply a matter of contacting you and perhaps a few questions on your part, you should be just as clear about this. Note the tender text A basic rule of every application letter is: Answer everything that is mentioned in the advertisement .If for some reason you can’t do that or you didn’t understand a part, you have to say so! The rule also implies: Do not write anything – or at least no longer explanations – about things that were not asked for in the advertisement. If you do, mention why you think this information is interesting or important. It is important to realize that the people who drafted the tender have a clear idea of ​​what they are looking for and that they have worded the tender accordingly. If there is not (yet) a detailed advertisement, ask in your first letter whether there will still be one or what other requirements there are. Otherwise your unsolicited application might end up in the trash. Professional ending Choose a professional qualification such as: “I look forward to your answer!” And don’t forget to provide all of your personal data and contact options: name, address, telephone number, email address, website, miscellaneous. In an email, you should have this information in a footer. You should also include your website as a link in the text of the email. Even if it all sounds like a lot: A cover letter should be kept as short as possible . Just limit yourself to the information necessary for THIS exhibition. Finally, it can’t hurt to choose a generally professional layout . This also applies to emails! Texts without paragraphs or with abbreviations such as “LG” or “VG” are not professional. The second contact – depending on the answer – may be very different from the first, but play it safe with the first!

5 Artistic Statement First things first: While the Artistic Biography (see Part 4) is primarily about YOU, the Artistic Statement is primarily about YOUR ART.Here you have the opportunity to write about what (has) moved you to do exactly this kind of art. It is not necessary to adhere to a certain form, in theory you can just write on it. However, there are general ways to structure texts that you CAN adhere to. Especially for those of you who are not yet so confident about writing, it will help to decide on a form beforehand, then roughly write down the content for the various sections of text and at the end fill the whole thing with detailed content and beautiful words . A good text wants to be laid out, worked out and, in the end, also revised like a good picture. (Which does not apply to the Expressionists among you. 😉) Build texts professionally Examples of such structuring options would be: Type 1: Classic storytelling or storytelling (> just google it) – with a beginning, main part, end – is a way of building a text and captivating readers. There are tons of guides on the Internet for this. Type 2: Another possibility is to start from a finished work of art, first describe it, then describe the manufacturing process and finally explain your interpretation. Type 3: You can also string together mental fragments, sketches or diary entries. Content There are many more options. Here you can live out your creativity. But no matter what you choose: Stick to a self-defined structure and avoid confusion. Regardless of the form, your statement should describe your art in general and explain why you make this art and what it means to you. You can also get emotional here and you can include aspects that move you independently of the art (e.g. political or ethical nature), but which have a connection to your art. Whether you prefer to write this text in the first person or in the he / she form may vary depending on for whom or for whom you are writing this text. But it is important that you stay with yourself. Even if you are writing the text for a specific call for proposals or for a specific audience, it can be misunderstood when you tell others what to feel, think, or do. Some artists open their statement with a quote from a famous personality. The danger lies in the fact that everyone has a different understanding of the usually short quote. So if you do this, refer to it again in your statement to relate it to your art. Also check regularly whether the quote still fits. Because my experience has shown me that an Artistic Statement can change from year to year – while the Artistic Biography actually always remains the same in terms of content and only the focus is different