Networking: Making Art Friends!

The 3 ways I make connections as an artist

This post is part of the monthly illoguild question. This month we focused on Networking.

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Hi everyone!

Networking in the art world is really just about making friends with people who also love art! At least that’s how I feel it’s been as I’ve learned how to “network” within this space. I come from a teaching background, so after leaving my teaching job last year, I felt like I needed to make some connections with people in the worlds of art and publishing. Here are a few of the ways I’ve met some really incredible people.

In-person events

• SCBWI events and the Bologna Children’s book fair are major events where you can meet tons of illustrators, authors, agents, publishers, and everyone else in the field! I have attended the Bologna Children’s Book Fair twice, and I hope to attend some of the SCBWI in person events. I’ve heard great things about their big conferences as well as smaller regional meet ups.

• In addition to these formal events, there are also small events and groups such as meet-ups in your local city or town. Google some and see what comes up! I just joined a Facebook group with tons of local kid book people, so I’m looking forward to joining an in person event with them soon.

Part-time jobs

After leaving teaching, I still wanted to have a part-time job to 1) help pay the bills and 2) to make sure I get out of the house. I focused my efforts on getting a job somewhere where I could work somewhere with other artists. Here are the places I’ve been working:

• I work part time at the Museum of Fine Arts. I’ve met other artists who are at similar points as me and people farther along in their careers. It’s encouraging and motivating to connect with these artists, and I’ve also had some really cool opportunities pop up as a result! For example, I got to meet best selling children’s book author, Pete Reynolds, who offered for me to do a book reading of my books at his local book shop (we’re planning it!). I also got to meet the MFA’s lead artist, Alexandra Adamo, who hosts events all over the city. It’s so inspiring working in a place that not only displays art but is full of people who love and create art!

• I also worked in a local shop that sells tons of goods and products from artists all over the country. Not only is it cool to work in a place that values creators, but I’ve had the chance to meets lots of the local artists as well! I get to see art in a variety of forms from pottery to jewelry to prints.

Online

Before starting out, I didn’t believe it was possible to make real friends on Instagram and through online classes, but I’m still talking to all these people years later! In a profession that has been historically isolated, us artists are really lucky to live in such a connected world today. We can connect with so many people who love the same things as us. Here are some ways I’ve made connections online:

• Online classes. My favorites have been Domestika, Make Art That Sells, and Make it in Design. Domestika has online forums, and the other courses have Facebook groups. By being active in these groups, I have been able to connect with other artists. One of these classes is even where all the members of the

  illoguild
  met! We started out because Adam Ming suggested some of start a critique group, so I think that suggesting to host a zoom for classmates is a great idea!

• Instagram/social media. Taking the time to comment, like, and interact with fellow artists on instagram goes a long way. It’s also good to do the same with potential clients such as publishing houses, or companies who license artwork.

• Everything in the bullet point above also applies to Substack!

• Volunteer to lead a group. I do this for Minted Buddy Groups.

• Email outreach. This one isn’t as fun as connecting with people in person or on social media, but it is really important to do regular outreach! I try to send quarterly emails to publishers and companies that I would like to work with. Although there might not be actual connections yet, getting my email in their inbox can be a good first step.

That pretty much sums up what I do now for networking. How do you approach networking? How have you made friends with people in art and/or publishing? And if we haven’t formally chatted, feel free to reach out! I’d love to get to know you better :)

See you all next week for a newsletter about kids books and also ART GYM!

Katie

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Upcoming Live Events:

Illoguild Live | May 20 - 4 PM EDT / 9 PM GMT / 4AM MYT / 6 AM AEST

(open to all subscribers)

The guild will be sharing about networking and how we make connections with illustrators, publishers, and others in the industry. Basically… it’s all about how we make friends!

If you have any questions about this topic, feel free to post them in the comments or send them via email by replying to this post.

Art Gym: Poses Workshop | Wednesday May 15 at 11 AM EDT / 4 PM GMT / 11 PM MYT

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Join Adam Ming and me in our fifth Art Gym workout! We have tons of good stuff to share with you about drawing poses. We’ve already thought of some activities, and we can’t wait to sketch with you! If you’re a paid subscriber, use the button below to sign up: