We are all familiar with the stereotype of the “starving artist”; while art is a vital and important part of our culture (and economy), artists often struggle to get by.

Given that art is so essential to society, why does it seem so hard to make a living at it? If you have ever considered turning your creative passion into a business, this thought has probably crossed your mind. Whether you are expanding a crafting hobby to be a side business, or making a full-time career of your fine arts practice, business skills are essential.

Understanding the Culture Industry

According to a report from the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, the average working artist in the Greater Montreal Region makes less than $25,000 a year from all sources of income; for new and emerging artists this amount is lower at $12,000 or less. Yet, the culture industry contributes 8.2 million dollars to the economy and represents 96,910 jobs. Artists are at the heart of the industry, so why are they earning so little? The answer may lie in the type of education that artists receive. While artists are, on average, a highly educated (and often self-employed) segment of the population, few have any training in business skills.

Many artists and creative’s lack the practical business skills needed to cultivate their talent into a lucrative career. If you are considering trying your hand at self-employment (like the other 41<>percentage<> of artists who are self-employed) it is essential to have knowledge of the practicalities of self-employment. Business skills are what can set you apart from other talented people in your field, and managing your time effectively means understanding all the facets of an arts career.

Formula for Success

Monika Majewski (Artists Coach at YES) recommends the following formula; “You want to spend roughly 40-60<>percentage<> of your time on creation, 30-50<>percentage<> on promotion, and 10-20<>percentage<> on administration”. All three areas are essential to your success and Monika cautions that, while your priorities will fluctuate, “nothing should ever be at a standstill or 0<>percentage<>. If you are spending less than 30<>percentage<> of your time on promotion, for example, you’re essentially invisible.”

You also need to be prepared for the emotional hurdles you may face. While most self-employed people face rejection, the nature of an artist’s work can make their position more vulnerable. Artists have few “yard sticks” by which to measure their success and often end up personalizing financial success (or lack thereof). You need to be your own biggest cheerleader; have confidence in your work and consider feedback for what it is- a source of information about consumer tastes which can help you to hone your skills and identify your market niche.

Getting the Tools and Resources You Need

If you are considering taking your art practice to the next level, or looking to improve your existing business, business skills training can help. For those without the time, inclination, (or money) to head back to school, there are resources available for you. YES publishes a guidebook called “Business Skills for Creative Souls; The Montreal Artist’s Guidebook”, which can now be found online. Those who want more hands-on, one- on-one artists coaching or workshops, can call 514-878-9788, or visit the YES center. You can also purchase the guidebook and get more information as well as the full schedule of workshops and services at yesmontreal.ca