The Business of Art

Rating:
Summary: Money Wasted on the Business of Art
Review: I'd have to say I was very disappointed in this book. The title lead me to believe that there would be plenty of nuts and bolts information, when, in fact, there is very little indeed. There is one long-ish chapter on photographing artwork that contains a great deal of technical information on film, cameras,lenses, and lighting. (Most artists would be better served by hiring, or bartering work with, a competent photographer.) The rest of the book consists largely of personal reminiscences, rambling essays and opaque monologues.

Emerging artists want to know: how do you approach gallery owners successfully? how do you approach museums successfully? how do you prepare your portfolio? how does my work get seen? Well, emerging artists shouldn't expect to find useful answers in this book. The answers compiled in The Business of Art are mostly of the "If you're good enough you'll be found". "Get a magazine to write about you", "I got lucky", "Enter lots of competitions and hope someone notices you", and "Stop whining" variety.

There are a few mildly interesting, though not enlightening, personal stories about the New York art scene "back in the day", but don't look for much practical help here. I consider this as money wasted - both mine and the NEA's.

Rating:
Summary: Its a start: you must know what you are encountering
Review: The format of this book is not "10 quick things you can do". It is mostly a discussion, from different people, attacking different subjets. It is not uniform. There is a lot of repetition. However, being a lawyer, I find that it is a good start for people who have little concept of technical aspects of the art market.

Rating:
Summary: Its a start: you must know what you are encountering
Review: The format of this book is not "10 quick things you can do". It is mostly a discussion, from different people, attacking different subjets. It is not uniform. There is a lot of repetition. However, being a lawyer, I find that it is a good start for people who have little concept of technical aspects of the art market.

Rating:
Summary: Not so good
Review: There is a lot of info in this book. However, the information seems jumbled. I say that because, one chapter seems to be more for the emerging artist and the next for the established artist. I did not care for the chapters about the dealers (ex. one chapter in New York dealer, one is Houston dealer, etc.)
I would recommend other business of art books first and save this one for last if your starting a reference collection of art business books.

Rating:
Summary: Lots of info
Review: This book has a variety of information. Some info seems to be for the emerging artist, other info is for the more established artist. It's a good reference but I'd suggest other business of art books first.

Rating:
Summary: Lots of info
Review: This book has a variety of information. Some info seems to be for the emerging artist, other info is for the more established artist. It's a good reference but I'd suggest other business of art books first.

Rating:
Summary: Author recounts book's success
Review: When I was Special Assistant Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, visual artists had few ways to support themselves except for grants. Apart from the special few, little hope existed for selling their art, and most artists had no idea of how to "go about it." I assembled an internationally respected group of artists, dealers, art lawyers and accountants and put them in front of tens of thousands of artists nationwide. Through questions and answers, speeches and demonstations, a distilled book's worth of unique knowledge and advice came into being. Unlike any other books that give one artist's opinion, or one "art advisor's advice" this book does something different: the straight story comes directly from the most outstanding and respected authorities in the field. No other book does this. No other authority can provide this knowledge in a single volume. The Business of Art is now the basis for college level courses on the business side of art. There is also a companion video sold by Phoenix Flms at 800-221-1274. Used together, they provide artists and art groups with a wealth of learning material for either immediate use or continuing education of artists worldwide.