Business of Art Book Reviews: The Basics & Getting Started

How to Get Hung
Molly Barnes
Julia Kirt: for emerging artists interested in commercial gallery & art market, behind scenes from gallerist perspective, beware of old school attitude

Supporting Yourself as an Artist: A Practical Guide
Deborah A. Hoover
Sue Clancy: who benefits: artists writing proposals, seeking funding; great big picture overview with practical tips about financial support

 

Taking the Leap: Building a Career as a Visual Artist
Cay Lang
Julia Kirt: overview of starting art career, good practical advice & tools for all aspects of art business, not the most engaging, but super useful

How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist Caroll Michels
Julia Kirt: The textbook of art business; covers starting career, exhibition opportunities, & galleries well. A bit cynical, so helps harden you up
Liz Roth: My favorite book of the art business genre, because it encourages fearlessness in getting your work out there, and is clear about the odds. Well written.

Getting Exposure: The Artist’s Guide to Exhibiting the WorkEditors of Art Calendar Magazine (out of print, but updated version to left)

Sue Clancy: artists wanting to show; overview of exhibit opportunities, benefits & drawbacks, & avoiding fraudulent show

The volume of books about art businesses is pretty overwhelming with many titles and concentrations. I have read close more than a dozen business books targeting artists and sometimes get confused which is which, not to mention which ones to recommend for whom.  This is part of a series of feature brief reviews and recommendations of business of art books by several knowledgeable artists. I hope the reviews will help artists know which books are most useful for which topics and career stages.