The Art of Networking Part 2 -Volunteering

gallery teacher in front of a group of student at a museum

How to use volunteering as a useful tool to gain contacts and references. If you’ve been practicing your networking skills at creative events, maybe you’re ready to move on to an outer circle and meet professionals in your field. Why not try volunteering in your community. Stay close to home and lend your expertise at a local school, neighborhood library, or community park. Or go further out in your community and seek out an organization that works in your creative field. Getting out in the community may help you network but also inspire your work in new ways. Volunteering Volunteering for an organization is an easy way to meet new people and make a difference in your community. Through volunteer efforts you can acquire or enhance existing skill sets, obtain a certification, gain confidence, and attend professional events. Whether you are looking to gain early work experience or change careers,…

Read More

The Art of Networking

Audience members at an event

(for those anxious about networking) We’ve all heard the saying, “It’s not what you know that counts so much, as who you know,” and that connections can have a bigger impact on success than talent alone. Making profitable connections through networking is a skill that takes practice and an important part of every creative business. But how does an artist practice their networking skills if walking into a room full of strangers brings anxiety? Start Small Start with the people you know and who know you.Nurture these friendships.Help friends and let them help you.Acquire valuable information.Exchange information valuable for employment or business. Networking doesn’t have to be done at a big boring corporate networking event. It can be done anywhere, including a friend’s art opening, an open mic night, a book signing, a dance class, a theatre performance, or any number of events in your local arts community. Even at…

Read More