Importance of Community for Artists

Why Is Community So Important for Artists?

​Running an art business is difficult and can be overwhelming. It is especially easy to feel discouraged, lost, or frustrated when you feel like you are all on your own. When you have a good community you can seek out guidance and advice from successful artists who have navigated the same challenges. By building a network of peers, you can gain valuable insights into the many aspects of running a successful art business such as marketing, pricing, distribution, and more.

​Achieving your artistic goals can be so much easier with the right guidance from a community of experienced Artists. The artist community is a powerful force for creativity, collaboration, and inspiration. It is an invaluable resource for artists of all disciplines to come together and share their ideas, learn from each other, and find new ways to express themselves. An artist community provides a platform for artists to connect with one another, exchange knowledge and experiences, and build meaningful relationships. The value of this really can’t be overstated. Here are some of the benefits of having a good community for artists.

Access to the Group’s Knowledge

​The artist community is a valuable source of knowledge and creativity. By providing access to the group’s knowledge, you can benefit from the members' collective wisdom, share ideas more easily, and sometimes even work on projects together. With access to a larger pool of resources, you may find that you are better equipped and connected in ways that help you expand your business further. By connecting with other artists, you can also gain a better understanding of your craft and hone your skills. This access to the group’s knowledge can help you to become more successful in your endeavors.
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Pro Artist Tip: There is a sweet spot between ego and lack of confidence. It’s important to have enough confidence that you know what advice/feedback/critique you should leave behind, while also not letting your ego get in the way so you miss advice that could help you grow.

Networking

Networking is an essential skill for any artist. It allows you to build relationships with other artists and professionals in the industry, as well as to promote yourself and your work. With the right connections, you can gain access to resources, opportunities, collectors, and collaborations that can help you reach new heights in your career. Through networking events, workshops, and online conversations, these communities provide invaluable support for aspiring artists who are looking to make their mark in the industry.​

Friendship

​Friendships are essential for artists, as they provide support and motivation to pursue their creative goals. Artist communities are great places to find like-minded individuals who share the same interests and passions. Within these communities, you can connect with each other and form meaningful friendships. Through these friendships, artists can learn from one another, collaborate on projects, and grow together. Strong friendships help keep you inspired and accountable. Ultimately, artist communities provide a platform for people with similar interests to come together and form these strong friendships. ​

Support & encouragement

​Being an artist is a challenging and unique career path. Often standards business resources and advice aren’t geared toward artists and frequently leave artists feeling like there is a piece missing. When you have a strong art community you are able to access support and encouragement that comes from a place of knowing. Advice you receive in artist's communities is advice that is geared directly towards or comes from artists. 
Further, when you are just “going it alone” it is easy to get discouraged or let your goals slide. Having a community of peers and mentors helps you to stay on track and get support from people you know.
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Inspiration

Inspiration is fickle and you can’t rely on it to be a professional artist. You have to do the work whether you “feel inspired” or not. The type of inspiration an art community provides is something different. This inspiration comes from seeing other artists on their journey and feeling inspired and encouraged to push out of your comfort zone or to keep going when you just don’t feel like it. Artist communities provide a platform where artists can come together and create something that is bigger than themselves- a place of belonging and support. ​

Increases sales and productivity

​Sales and productivity are two things that a lot of artists really struggle with. Many experienced artists in the community are happy to share their knowledge about how to improve sales and productivity which may help you sell your products or find better approaches to productivity. This advice from the members of the community can be invaluable. 

​Pro Artist Tip: When seeking out an artist community look for a community that shares your values and is relevant to your genre. With a community relevant to your genre you are more likely to find resources and connections relevant to your work. 

Conclusion

​Having a strong community is essential for you to achieve success as an artist. You need to be able to connect with other artists and share ideas, and resources, and support each other. A strong artist community can provide the support they need to stay motivated and continue creating art. It can also help you find opportunities to collaborate with other artists or showcase your work. Moreover, having a strong artist community can help you grow your audience and promote your work more effectively.

If you are interested in joining (in our opinion) one of the best artist communities you can join Cowgirl Artists of America for our special AOTC enrollment, Jan 18th-31st, 2023.

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