Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists

Developed by Springboard for the Arts, Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists is based on a series of professional development and entrepreneurship workshops that have been taught at arts organizations, libraries and colleges in over 80 communities in the Upper Midwest, and replicated across the country by artists, arts organizations, and colleges and universities. The Work of Art Toolkit is available for free digitally, now with a 2020 update! The update includes:

-Beautiful, inviting new layout and design from artist Cori Nakamura Lin
-Expanded context and insights from working artists
-New exercises to help build practical working skills
-New section on Engaging Customers & Selling Your Work
-Handy expanded glossary of terms for quick reference

Get the free PDF download below or purchase the Work of Art workbook directly via Springboard for the Arts’ Big Cartel online shop: https://springboardforthearts.bigcartel.com/

The Work of Art series is also available in Spanish! Translated in partnership with MACLA  /  Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana, the toolkit has been translated with additional video content created by and for Latinx artists. Trabajo de Arte: Aptitudes de Negocios para Artistas esta disponible en español. Haga click aquí por el caja de herramientas.

Work of Art is a 12-part workbook series that guides artists of all disciplines through every facet of building a successful and sustainable career – from career planning, time management, marketing, pricing, recordkeeping, funding, and developing a business plan.

Designed to help new artists learn the ropes, as well as more experienced artists grow and expand, each section provides a step-by-step guide to tackling the topic, including easy-to-digest tips, best practices, useable case studies, hands-on exercises, analytical tools, checklists, and worksheets.

Work of Art can be used cover-to-cover or as a build-your-own lesson plan by mixing and matching the section that address specific challenges. It can be used by individual artists or groups in a self-directed way, or by organizations looking to provide professional development resources to their community.

Learn more about Work of Art impact and evaluation here.

If you’re having issues with the form or have other questions, click here to request the free toolkit, or email Carl at creativeexchange@springboardforthearts.org with questions.

The Work of Art toolkit is supported by the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation Marketplace Empowerment for Artists.