Why Study Art?

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Student who intend to study art often get flack from well-meaning loved ones who believe that the student won’t be able to make a living if he/ she studies art. However, the ability to make a living as an artist has changed drastically, in part, due to advances in technology. Further, the study of art develops skills aside from the obvious, art-related ones. Here’s a look why the arts can actually lead to better careers.

 

Technology Has Opened Up New Jobs

The advancements in technology have created a new demand for artists trained in digital technologies. After all, it was well-trained artists who created the fantastical dragons on shows like “Game of Thrones” or the magic of “Harry Potter.” Studying art, including the new technologies that make that art possible, opens up new job opportunities that have never existed before.

In order to work in these industries, these digital-savvy artists usually study both traditional art techniques, like drawing and old painting. They also learn the principles of design and art marketing. Finally, they become well-versed in digital tools, like Adobe Photoshop, Maya, Lightwave and Adobe After Effects.

 

Develop Cultural Awareness

A design career offers a simple example of how culture and art studies converge. Many challenges in the workplace arise from a lack of cultural awareness. Studying art, art history and languages develops the cultural awareness necessary to work in the art and design fields.

 

Transferable Skills

The study of art doesn’t just develop the ability to draw or sculpt beautiful things. It develops other skills, like creative thinking, the ability to work independently and eye-hand coordination. Aside from this, university studies done by James Catterall, a professor and researcher at the UCLA School of Education and Information Studies demonstrate that students who have been exposed to the arts and who have been involved in the arts do better in school.

 

 

These days, studying the arts helps students develop many practical skills that bring value to the workplace. Additionally, art studies teach students about the cultures and eras from which a piece of art arose. Finally, technology has changed pretty much every aspect of the workplace, including animation, media, and other arts-related jobs. Having a foundation in the arts opens up job possibilities that heretofore didn’t exist.

Why You Should Support Local Artists

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The importance of supporting small and local businesses is something you may hear often, but you may not know why it is necessary to support these local endeavors. When it comes down to art, individuals may have even more questions about why they should support local artists. Plenty of reasons exist as to why this endeavor is a worthwhile one.

 

Better the Community

When members of a community start to break away from one another, a host of problems often comes to fruition. For example, crime rates may begin to rise because residents don’t seem to care about the neighborhood. It’s also possible that the schools will experience problems as parents and children seem to suffer from a disconnect. Local art helps to bring the community together, which serves as a significant improvement for neighborhoods.

 

Stimulate the Economy

When individuals consider the economy, they often think on a more global level; they may not recognize how much their local economy matters. If they think about the connection between low economic productivity and crime levels, they may then realize why this endeavor is a worthwhile one. When people purchase art from local artists, they are helping to better the local economy.

 

Improve the Environment

Individuals who are interested in local art should find out what the artists are doing to protect the environment. They may very well find that these artists are interested in sustainable methods of producing art. It’s difficult to deny the beauty of a local environment that is filled with the sights, sounds and smells of nature.

 

Motivate the Youth

Many young people are interested in entering into artistic fields, but they often encounter opposition. Mentors may tell them that the arts are not going to provide them with enough money. These young people may also hear that only a few jobs are available. This type of talk can batter their dreams. However, when residents take the time to support the work of local young artists, they can help to motivate these budding artists to pursue their dreams and talents.

 

The community as a whole can improve when people turn their attention to the work of local artists. Some individuals don’t realize this point, but supporting local artists can help every member of the community to thrive.

How to Collect Art That is Meaningful to You

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man looking at art

 

While navigating the art collecting sphere can be a daunting and sometimes a burdensome process, it is important to not lose sight of the specific reasons you are collecting these pieces. The nature of art collecting is very much grounded in passion and it is therefore essential to keep in mind that in fact scouting pieces that you are drawn to, have a particular interest in, and which you are able to create a good sized collection are all vital signs to move forward.

 

Purchase what you like

A big part of art collecting can entail purchasing art that is on the rise or is deemed by critics to appreciate in value exponentially in the coming years. The best course of action is to invest in art that you have a connection to and genuinely like. Some companies or services specialize in a model that appraises art based on artist, genre, date range, content, materials, size, coloration, style, etc. Be sure to take a look at the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (aka the IRS appraisal) for more information.

 

Research first

The internet can definitely be too overwhelming when deciding what kind of art collection to start, so visiting art galleries, connecting with individuals who work at museums and exploring different art vis-a-vis is the best way to narrow this down. Speaking with professionals in person can help you become involved in a market that has a high-cost barrier to entry (which can be very intimidating to the first time art collector).

 

Putting in the time

Above everything else, remember that crafting a successful art collection is a lengthy process. If you want your collection to have a specific focus, it makes more sense to purchase one or two more valuable pieces per year–to pursue quality rather than quantity.

5 Essential Tips to Plan Your First Art Collection

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5 Essential Tips to Plan Your First Art Collection

Art collecting is more than obtaining something valuable. It is about having a collection that others want to see. A good collection tells others about the art that they wouldn’t be able to determine simply by seeing the pieces alone. There are a few keys to planning your first collection.

Establish your tastes

The first step is to determine which pieces appeal to you. When you collect simply on what interests others it’s hard to make a statement with your collection. Forbes recommends touring galleries and other collections. Spend time at auctions and with other collectors before making a purchase. This will give you an opportunity to determine what interests you. Ultimately you are the one who will own the collection. It doesn’t matter if everyone shares your opinions. Your collection allows you to express your unique tastes.

Form a Cohesive Collection

Once you know what you like it’s important to know why you like it. According to ArtBusiness.com the best collections aren’t simply randomly selected pieces, but have something that ties them together. The collection then becomes a work of art in and of itself. When you know why you like a particular piece it makes it easier to select similar pieces. If you select simply based on the interests of others you may find that it is difficult to create your collection.

Create a Budget

Once you have an idea of what interests you it’s important to set a budget. How much are you planning to spend on your collection right now? How many pieces do you want to start with? These are important questions to consider and will help you determine your budget per piece as well. Art collecting can be an expensive hobby and if you spend your entire budget on one piece it may be a while before you are able to add to your collection. In addition to purchasing the piece itself you also need to consider the cost of insuring, obtaining, and displaying it.

Document Everything

Proper storage and documentation is an important key to planning your first collection. You will need to have a filing system in place to keep track of all of your purchases before you start. This paper trail is the key to establishing the authenticity of the pieces you purchase. Careful documentation preserves the value of your collection and is important not only for your own interests, but for insurance purposes as well.

Pick Your First Piece

The first piece in your collection is the building block upon which you will select your other pieces. It is essentially the first step in starting your collection. By this point you should already have a well-defined idea of what your particular tastes are. This piece should fit with the theme that you have determined for your collection. It is okay to spend more on this piece than the others as long as you don’t go over budget and are still able to purchase the remaining pieces for your collection.

15 Essential Terms to Know When Art Auctioning

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15 Essential Terms to Know When Art Auctioning

Auctioning can sometimes resemble a sporting match in terms of competitiveness and intensity. Understanding the most basic principles of art auctioning will allow any individual to excel once provided with the opportunity to bid on artwork. Here are 15 terms to keep in mind as you participate in this process. 

Appraisal- The market value assigned to an item by the house specialists.

As is- The item is sold in its current condition, with imperfections and faults at the time of auction.

Auctioneer- The conductor of the auction, usually a trained professional, can be a man or woman. They are usually known for their ability to fetch outstanding prices for items, even in the stingiest of crowds. Auctioneer’s use many different styles that are catered to specific demographics.

Bid- The amount a prospective buyer signals he/she would like to pay for the item currently being auctioned.

Bought In- Art that fails to sell and gets returned to the consignor.

Buyer’s Premium- The fee that the auction house adds to the hammer price of an item, usually a percentage from 10-20%.

Conditions Report- Description of the item up for auction, usually prepared by a specialist.

Consignor- The party responsible for putting the piece up for auction. Can stem from the three D’s known as Divorce, Death and or Debt.

Exhibition History- A complete history of all exhibitions in which an item as appeared. Exhibit history may affect the value of the item.

Hammer Price- The final and winning bid, gets its name from the gavel when it comes down upon completion of an auction.

Increment- The amount by which the next bid must surpass the previous bid.

Protecting a Market- When a dealer places a bid on behalf of an artist to assure that the market value of an artist does not fall. Major artists usually expect this type of financial protection from dealers.

Reserve- The minimum price that a consignor will allow the item to be sold for. If the reserve is not met then the work will be bought in.

Sell Through Rate- The percentage compiled to assess how the auction performed. Rates below 75% are considered to be underperforming.

White Glove Sale-  An auction in with a 100% sell through rate. A party usually ensues after.

Even with basic knowledge of these terms, any beginner can approach a sale at the auction house with confidence and ease.