In a typical half-acre backyard, there are an estimated 1 million insects. For every human on earth, there are 200 million insects. There are 1,017,018 known unique species of insects in the world and experts think there may be as many as 10 million more species still undiscovered.

So what?

Well, first of all, let’s be glad that bugs are small. Second, when it comes to being outnumbered by the competition, we have it way easier than insects. And yet, standing out is still quite a challenge even for us humble humans.

It’s no secret that art is a difficult and competitive field. While there may not be 200 million artists for every gallery in the world, sometimes it sure feels like it when you’re one of them.

So how does an artist go about standing out from the crowd in order to attract the right kind of attention from the right people and places? The answer may be far more within reach than you realize, and it starts with a few simple things you can do right now.

• Build a great website or revamp your existing one. These days there is just no excuse for not having a great looking website as an artist. With tools like Square Space and Wix, it is easier than ever to create a gorgeous space to call your own.
• Get active on social media. Instagram and Facebook are two of your best tools when it comes to promoting your art. Plugins even allow you to sell directly from these social media platforms.
• Apply for everything. Within reason, of course. You should build into your annual calendar a schedule of grant, residency, and open call application time. Scour websites for opportunities that are suited to your work and get those applications sent off before the deadline.
• Write it down. Your bio and artist statement matter. Crafting them with thought and care will help you when it comes to presenting who you are to the world. Having these documents ready to go is a smart plan because lots of places (grant organizations, residencies, galleries, etc) will ask for them.

All of these are ways you can start building up a better art business today. Putting in a little time and effort can yield some amazing results. And the best news is that you don’t have to do it on your own. In fact, you definitely shouldn’t!

Find a community. Get the support you need to make it happen. And if you want to go the extra mile, really lock down the pathway to success, consider a Praxis Center membership. For $40/month you will find expert guidance on everything from building a website to grant applications. We even offer a curated highlights list of the places currently accepting submissions and applications. Don’t wait another second. You owe it to yourself and to your art to be the butterfly that stands out from the rest.




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