a-n (The Artists Information Company) has compiled a handy information pack detailing what you might need to start out as a new artist. Aimed at recent graduates, it is a practical guide that offers advice and useful resources to get started in the art world.

The guide begins with the importance of the web as a promotional tool for your work. Artist, Ellie Harrison provides an interesting Case Study on what makes her website unique. This section also looks at the pros and cons of blogging.

It then goes onto the options and roles available to emerging artists. This section covers postgraduate study, studying abroad, working with the public, getting a studio and residencies. Make sure to check out Manifold’s Q&A on setting up their East London studio here and applying for funding and opportunities here.

The age old dilemma of pricing your work is addressed here along with some copyrighting advice. New artists are also advised to keep asking yourself questions and to create/lead your own activities. Take a look at Kevin Hunt’s Artist-Led Hot 100 which lists some of the most superb activity being facilitated by emerging independent artists and curators right now in the UK.

A comprehensive directory of useful resources can be found here. And finally, an introduction to the one thing that makes it all official: Becoming Self Employed.

More: Website | Twitter

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What:
Questioning Creatives is a website created to offer a better idea of a creative career path. It was originally setup by a graphic designer when his daughter was considering a career as an illustrator. After trying to explain that an illustrator’s life isn’t as simple as sitting at a desk all day, drawing nice pictures, he decided that it would be good to setup a website with interviews and career stories. This site is not just for prospective illustrators, but for anyone involved in the creative industry.

Why we like it:
Professional illustrators and recent graduates explain how they got to where they are now, the best and worst things about their jobs and what they wish they’d known at the beginning. This site provides a clearer idea of what a creative’s life is really like, alongside some words of wisdom. If you’re struggling to decide if a creative path is really for you, then these stories, tips and ideas might make that decision a little easier. We just wish it was around ten years ago…

Find out more:
Website | Twitter

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For more creative delights we’ve Spotted on the web take a look here.

I Am Do Filmmaker is a hub for filmmakers in the North East of Scotland. However, there’s an immense amount of useful podcasts for any budding filmmaker, including interviews with Storytellers, Producers, Filmmakers and advice from a range of people at the BBC. Visit their website here: iamdofilmmaker.co.uk

Interested? Follow I Am Do Filmmaker on Facebook here or Twitter here.

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For more creative delights we’ve Spotted on the web take a look here.

First I create a press release about the show, it details dates, times, venue, info on the artist and the exhibition. I try to keep it short and snappy with important info bold and details in list form so its easy to read. I also attach just 2 or 3 low res images. I try to do this well in advance and send it out to press contacts about 3 months before the show. Some publications have print deadlines way earlier than you’d think. I then send it 1 month before the show, then 1 week before again. Persistance is key! I also call the local press arts editors to make sure they got it and chat to them about the exhibition.

3 weeks before the show I load up the same details onto as many artsy/ creative networking/ community sites as I can and send it out to other arts, creative, and street culture blogs to see if they might like to post it too.

Within the month leading up to the show I put the details on our blog, facebook, central station page, and flickr and we send out an e-flyer to our mailing list too.

My advice is to take every opportunity you get for promotion and to push hard for it. Its hard work and can feel like you’re banging your head against a brick wall sometimes but is so worthwhile and pays off in the end.

Hope thats helpful to some folk out there. Good luck promo beavers!!