By Renee Phillips

This is an excerpt from an article that I wrote for Professional Artist magazine.



The more years I spend advising artists from different backgrounds, career levels and artistic expressions, the more I am convinced that having a strong artist support group is one of the best-kept secrets to a successful art career. The quality of camaraderie that an artist has with his or her peers separates the artists who climb the ladder of success with ease from those who frequently trip and fall.

Yes, positive thinking, setting goals, distributing press releases, maintaining a website, creating business plans and networking are all helpful. However, even the smartest marketing practices won't heal all the trials and tribulations that this profession can inflict upon you. When the going gets rough, if you don't have the support of others who understand the unique challenges of being an artist, your career will be a lonely one to endure.

In the worst cases, that kind of loneliness can lead to depression, lethargy and curtailed creative energy, which too often compel artists to abandon their dreams.

If you are one of the lucky few who already has a cheering squad that resounds with continuous encouragement every step of your career, you may not need to read further. However, if you're like most artists, you may wish that you had an empathetic ear and dose of TLC now and then. Hopefully, this article will encourage you to join or create a group and reap the many possible rewards from this positive experience.




Mutual Trust and Friendship are Essential

How can an artist support group potentially have such a strong impact on the lives of its individual members? To answer this, let's consider the definition of camaraderie. Camaraderie is, quite simply, mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together.

Artists who meet regularly and support each other over a period of time create an energy with momentum that can lead to unlimited possibilities, power and confidence. Mary Cassatt (1844-1926) spent most of her life in France and allied herself with the Impressionists Manet and Degas early in her career. Jean Arp (1886-1966) could not have prospered without his connection with the Blaue Reiter in Munich and various avant-garde groups in Paris, including the surrealists, and the Dadaists in Zürich.

In 2010, I started the Artrepreneur Success Program, a weekly career building program in an online group setting. One of the benefits of the program being set in a group format is learning to value the experiences and insights of other members.

As New Jersey sculptor Steven Rodrig expressed, "Participating in a group situation helped me discover that as a new artist, I am not alone in my apprehensions. [I also] learned quite a few venues to show my art that I wouldn't have otherwise been exposed to had it not been for the group participation."

Likewise, New York artist Marilyn Green remarked, "It was really helpful to know that my concerns were the same as others' and in some cases one of us had found a solution another was looking for. We didn't have to reinvent the wheel."

Camaraderie may come easier in other professions, and even in other areas of the arts, where colleagues work more frequently in groups. For instance, musicians may join orchestras or play in bands. Dancers comprise ensembles. Most fine artists, on the other hand, spend much of their time in isolation.

Indeed, there is a need for creative aloneness, but there is also a need for group support.

In a cohesive, caring, group situation, there is a feeling that any obstacle can be overcome because you aren't alone. Brainstorming ideas and sharing painful and positive experiences and solutions build muscles. If you hope to take advantage of the energy and inspiration that spawns from collaborative thinking, you must find a way to balance your time between creative seclusion and harmonious interaction with other artists.


Align Yourself with Like-Minded Artists

Based on my experiences as a career coach and artist group leader, artists who approach other artists with a positive attitude and a generous spirit of camaraderie benefit the most from the group experience. These qualities help them become more receptive to other artists' ideas, and eager to give and receive information, solutions and resources. Self-confidence grows in an environment where petty grievances, competitiveness and the "me-against-you" framework are eliminated.

The Guerrilla Girls knew how to do this best because they shared an important platform and goals that propelled them forward. They accomplished feats as a group that individuals alone could not.

When forming a group, seek out creative individuals with whom you eagerly and easily share respect and compatibility. You may already know where to find more than enough artists in order to participate. If not, there are many options available to you. Trade shows, open studios, arts festivals and local workshops are great places to find artists.

You can also find potential group members in local cooperative, artist-run galleries and artist organizations.

Meetup.com is an online resource where you can start a group or find a group in your area. Simply type the term "Artists" and your zip code in the search box to open a plethora of possibilities.

Social media also offers an abundance of ways to join groups, including Yahoo, Facebook and LinkedIn. For example, at the time of writing this article the group Manhattan Arts International, which I started on LinkedIn, has more than 1,230 members from around the world. You may find members of this group who live in your geographic area, or at least get ideas for topics of discussion for your own group meetings.


Basic Guidelines of Artist Support Groups

An effective artist support group does more than boost each others' egos. As Arizona artist Cyndy Carstens, another participant from my Artrepreneur Success Program, stated, "I benefited greatly from establishing connections with the participants in the program not from more 'pats on the back,' but through real relationships built on mutual respect and honest rapport concerning the creative and enterprise sides of the art business."

You don't have to work in the same mediums or styles or be at exactly the same career levels in order to make such a group successful. In fact, diversity can supply the winning advantage.


Here are some simple guidelines to launch and manage a group:

1. Begin with a small group of no more than 12 artists.
This will allow everyone to have several minutes to express themselves. If you decide to enlarge the group later you can divide the members into smaller groups.

2. Upon mutual consensus, establish the group's mission.
For example, will the group be focused on offering critiques of each other's work, or will it be devoted to solving professional issues - or both?

3. If you want the group to focus on professional growth, make it very clear that the purpose of the group is not to replace group therapy.

4. Establish the frequency, duration and location of the meetings.

5. Determine if there are any costs that need to be covered for refreshments, supplies, etc.

6. Establish ground rules and goals at the first meeting. You may choose to repeat them at the beginning of every meeting as a reminder.

7. Choose a group leader who will be responsible for maintaining order and guidelines.

8. Set a timer in order to give every participant time to speak and share. Place it in a central location.

9. Set up a private members-only blog or Facebook page where you can post information to all members. You can announce your calendar of events, next meeting's topics of discussion or location of meeting, or ask for RSVPs.

10. Identify and work to solve the needs of each individual as well as the group's shared concerns and challenges.

11. Provide positive and constructive feedback on new ideas for growth without judgment or criticism.

12. Distribute copies of everyone's biographies or other information of value to each member.

13. Encourage fellow members to bring something beneficial to each meeting, such as an exhibition opportunity, an artist resource or service, invitations to upcoming art events, ideas, or an article from an issue of Professional Artist!

14. Invite an art business expert as a special guest to present a talk at your meeting.

15. Inspire each other to reach maximum creative and career potential by sharing success stories.

16. Motivate each other to get out of your comfort zone and take risks without fear.

17. Discourage behavior that is not aligned with the purpose of the group. Make it clear that self-indulgence, negativity and criticism will not be tolerated. Be prepared to disinvite anyone who refuses to follow the rules.

The journey to becoming a successful, prosperous and fulfilled "Artrepreneur" is more rewarding when you have genuine support from other artists. Artists speak the same language and understand the unique obstacles they face. Mutual compassion among artists can provide solace, endurance and empowerment.

If your first attempts at finding or starting an effective group don't succeed, don't be discouraged, and don't feel obligated to keep going if you can't fix the problem. Throughout the years, I have been a member of several groups, and whenever I stayed too long in the wrong ones, I regretted it later. Don't settle for anything less than a positive, caring and knowledgeable group that can help you and the other members reach your greatest potential and realize your dreams.

Join Us!
Manhattan Arts International has a group on LinkedIn. If you aren't a member please use this link to the Manhattan Arts International group. http://www.linkedin.com/groupRegistration?gid=1930619

Renée Phillips is the Director of Manhattan Arts International. Known as The Artrepreneur Coach, counsels artists and arts organizations worldwide. Learn more about her private consulting services available in person or by phone.