museums Archives

Beauty, rigorous research, and purpose with Noelle Phares (224)

After leaving a career in science, Noelle Phares brought the same research-driven mindset to her art practice. In this episode, we talk about how she structured her early projects, the story behind her museum exhibition Tracking Time, and what she learned working with curators and institutions.

This is part one of a 2-part conversation about clarity, purpose, and building an art career that reflects your deepest values.

Beauty, rigorous research, and purpose with Noelle Phares (224) Read

The Art Biz ep. 176: Series, Catalogs, and Museum Shows with Susan Abbott

Susan Abbott recognizes the importance of getting her work out of the studio and in front of people. We cover a lot of ground in our conversation, but there are 3 themes:

1. Why it’s important to give yourself limitations as an artist in order to grow.
2. Creating a catalog of your art and what it can do for you.
3. Getting a museum solo exhibition and why that’s important to her.

The Art Biz ep. 176: Series, Catalogs, and Museum Shows with Susan Abbott Read

Overcoming anxiety about making art world connections with Heather Beardsley (160)

Heather Beardsley has managed to transform her social anxiety into opportunities—realizing that real growth could only happen when she overcame the urge to play it safe by sticking to open calls for entry.

Heather has learned to navigate the art world with intention, which has led to her current solo show at the Chrysler Museum of Art. We discuss funding, being prepared for opportunities, and building authentic relationships.

Overcoming anxiety about making art world connections with Heather Beardsley (160) Read

View of a rolling wood sculpture installation on the floor inside a white gallery space

Putting artists first in curatorial projects with Melissa Messina (136)

Melissa shares how she became an independent curator after starting out as an artist. She reveals how to find independent curators, what she looks for in a studio visit, and the mistakes she sees artists making. Above all, she emphasizes the importance of your network.

We discussed the types of institutions she works with, how projects are funded, and the rhythm of their realization.

Putting artists first in curatorial projects with Melissa Messina (136) Read

Who’s who in the art museum

If it’s on your bucket list to schedule a museum exhibition, volunteer or work at a museum, or see your art in a museum collection, you will benefit if you understand how a museum administration is structured.

While I haven’t been part of the museum world since 2001, I am confident that what I share below can still be helpful to you. Keep in mind, however, that not all museums operate the same way,

Who’s who in the art museum Read

Portrait painting of Indian grandmother at age 94 by artist Lisa Kovvuri

The Art Biz ep. 11: Portrait Project and Museum Exhibition with Lisa Kovvuri

Lisa and I discuss her project, The Portrait Experience, and how it was conceived and executed at Whistler House Museum of Art.

In particular, she reveals how she found people to sit for her and what she learned during the project. We also learn that most of the paintings had since sold.

The Art Biz ep. 11: Portrait Project and Museum Exhibition with Lisa Kovvuri Read

The Art Biz ep. 8: A Married Life in Art: Sam Woolcott and Poe Dismuke

When Sam Woolcott, one of my Art Biz Inner Circle members, told me that she and her husband were invited to have a joint museum exhibition, I knew I had to interview them.

They live together and have been happily married for more than 20 years.

For ten of those years, they have jointly owned a gallery based in the arts community of Bisbee, Arizona.

Each has a thriving studio practice.

Now they’re showing together in a 2-person exhibition at The University of Arizona Museum of Art.

How do they balance their separate work and artist lives together?

In this podcast episode, I introduce you to Sam, the painter, and Poe Dismuke, her husband and sculptor. We discuss:

What their daily routines and work styles look like
What their art has in common
Life in Bisbee (sounds like it’s a must-see)
How the museum show came about

The Art Biz ep. 8: A Married Life in Art: Sam Woolcott and Poe Dismuke Read

Submit a Museum Proposal

Recession, recession, recession! That’s all we’re hearing these days. Things are going to be tough for a while, but there’s still a silver lining in every situation if you look at all the angles. Carpe diem! For instance, now would be a terrific time to put together an exhibition proposal for your local museum or

Submit a Museum Proposal Read

Treat Your Art Like It Belongs in a Museum

From the moment a work of art enters a museum, it is treated as the special one-of-a-kind, irreplaceable object it is. It sits in a crate in the loading area and acclimates to its new surroundings. After sufficient time has passed, it is uncrated by the preparator or registrar who is wearing white gloves. A

Treat Your Art Like It Belongs in a Museum Read

Does an artist have a responsibility to the community?

In response to my recent post about the Christoph Büchel/MASS MoCA brouhaha, Joshua Field commented: As an artist living in North Adams, MA , the town where MASS MoCA is located (I am in no way affiliated with the museum), I think it is important to note a crucial component missing from the dialog and

Does an artist have a responsibility to the community? Read