How To Manual

A Survival Guide for Visual Artists

Making art and making an art career are two different things. A professional artist is responsible for the day to day business of their career such as financial management, applying for grants and funding, documenting work marketing, promotion, researching opportunities, and a list of other tasks. These areas are not always covered within the education system so, while highly educated and skilled, many visual artists are not prepared for the reality of life after art school.

As an artist led organisation VAI is keenly aware that artists are pressed for time, trying to fit their art making into daily lives that juggle family, work and other commitments. We hope this manual will provide you with some of the tools to make the most of the opportunities that come your way, whether it be pursuing a post graduate course, getting a studio, entering juried exhibitions, initiating your own projects or getting representation through a gallery. But, don’t forget… you should never rely on an opportunity finding you. It is very much you creating them for yourself. VAI is there to assist you with the many services and information channels that we offer to professional visual artists in all art forms.

Organising and Managing Projects

Introduction Undertaking a self-managed project successfully can be difficult. Being aware of some of the pitfalls and following a few ...
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A Practical Guide to Setting Up a Studio Space

Introduction Few artists can afford the expense of owning their own studio, particularly at the start of their careers. Working ...
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Awards, Bursaries and Grants

Introduction Awards, bursaries and grants are not only ways of supporting your career but can also signify success and contribute ...
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How to Recognise an Art Scam

Art scams are becoming more sophisticated by the day and it is very important for you, as an artist, to ...
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Career Develoment: Laura Gannon – Letting the Work Lead

Laura Gannon discusses three recent projects to illustrate the progression of her Practice. Laura Gannon, The Heat of the Day ...
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Artist Profile: Lynda Devenney

What’s your background? I completed a BA Honors Degree in Fine Art in England in 1997. I received an MA in Art ...
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Artist Profile: Cora Cummins

What’s your background? I studied Fine Art at DIT and then a Masters in Fine Art at NCAD. What work experience ...
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Art Handling

Basic Principles of Art Handling The objective of good art handling is to move artworks from one location to another ...
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Self-Employed Professional Visual Artists Access to Social Welfare Jobseeker’s Allowance

On Monday, 12th June 2017 a new pilot initiative which acknowledges the professional status of visual artists and writers applying ...
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Visual Artists Payment Guidelines Calculator

There are just a few short steps to finding the right level of payments. The first are available using this ...
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Visual Artists Payment Guidelines – Other Fees

Other Rates ...
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Celebrate your Organisations Commitment to Equitable Payment Conditions for Artists

Yes! We Pay Artists! Celebrate your organisations commitment to equitable payment conditions for artists In 2012 we created the campaign ...
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Child Protection Awareness

In September 2014 we facilitated a Professional Training session on Child Protection Awareness which was delivered by Olive Ring, National ...
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Copyright and Intellectual Property Resources

Copyright and IP Resources resources from Shirley Madden, Director of MaddenBlack. Madden delivered a session on Copyright and IP as ...
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Making It: Lisa Fingleton with Shirin Neshat at The London Film School

I couldn’t believe it when I literally stumbled across the opportunity to work with the world renowned Shirin Neshat. Shirin ...
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