While I'm not an expert on the subject (i've had 2 degree shows in my entire life and I don't remember putting any effort into either of them. Sorry Mum.) I have noticed a few things that would make it much more painless for the audience to find out more about the artists, and to share their work more easily. Maybe my next degree show will now be fabulous and amazing and the best thing I have ever created? Who knows - stay tuned 'cos it's coming up this August at Edinburgh College of Art.
Anyway, without further ado, let me tell you things which I think may be helpful.
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| Beautiful textile work from Fine Art student at Newcastle University, Eve Kershaw. https://evekershaw.wordpress.com/ |
Business CardsA million. You need to print a million. And sprinkle them everywhere so that even if each visitor takes 5, there will STILL be enough for the next people. At the degree shows I went to report on, only about 50% of the work had a business card to go with it. Postcards are nice too, but business cards are really necessary. I want to get home and look at the business card and think "ah yes! That person! That work! I remember everything".
Go back and refill your business card holders daily, and leave a little back up pile incase there's a very busy day.
Information to include on your business card:
- Your name
- An image which matches the stuff in your degree show
- Your website (you don't have a website? Make one! My current website was built with Virb, and my new website is being built in Squarespace.)
- Your social media stuff. If your social media is all just personal/for friends then it's worth making a Facebook/Instagram/Twitter account just for your art. You don't have to do all three, but one is better than none.
Cool business card options I saw at the degree shows:
Business cards with little packets of seeds attached to them, big big long postcards, stickers, a business card made from perspex(!!), wooden business cards and top trumps-style business cards to name but a few.
Empty business card holders = a sad sight :( :( :(
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| 'Woolarch' (a combination of wool and potato starch) created by Edinburgh College of Art product design student, Ellie Carr-Smith |
WHO AAAARE YOU?
I spent most of my time trying to figure out who did what. If your business cards are there then this is taken care of, but it takes 2 seconds to stick a bit of foam board with your name and a bit of writing (optional, of course) on the wall beside your masterpiece. When there are 3 people's names on a wall at the entrance of a room, it's *almost* impossible to figure out who did which pieces of work in said room. "Hmmm does this bit of experimental work look like it was done by a Rebecca or a Megan?" Don't hide your name. Don't hide your business cards. Put them somewhere obvious so that idiots like me can easily find them.
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| "Millenni-Med" created by fine art student at Newcastle University, Jennifer O'Neill. You can check out her Instagram here. |
Have an online presence related to your art + be aware of your internet footprint
If people want to know more about your work, then there's a high likelihood that they will search for you online. Make sure theres something, ANYTHING, on there which involves some photos of your work, and a quick description of you and your practice. It takes 10 minutes to whack a few photos on a Facebook page, Instagram account or Twitter of your work, maybe even you in the studio. Make sure the work photos match the work in your final show - make it easy for people to find you.
Also, take a moment to log out of your social media and search for yourself. What pops up? Is it drunk photos of you from 2007? Revisit your privacy settings and make sure all of that stuff is buried in the past, privately, where it belongs.
Bla bla bla / too long, didn't read #tldr
If people can find you online, share your work and credit you, then you are more likely to reach a wider audience. Also, it's nice to get feedback! Let people tell you they like your work.
Make it easy for people to find your degree show stuff on the internet. Tell people who you are, share your work and be proud of all the stuff you made.
The end.
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