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The starving artist is a deep-rooted and somewhat dated mentality. Artists, may believe that this mentality is needed to really appreciate and romanticize our craft. However, as the cost of living continues to rise across the globe, that mentality isn’t always sustainable and monetization becomes increasingly imperative. So, how do art and business collaboration go hand in hand?
An easy way to think about the business of collaboration is to reflect on the fashion industry. At a fashion shoot there are designers, models, visual artists, photographers, and more. A photoshoot takes many artists and leads to a culture of collaboration. Such collaboration is not limited to fashion and it is up to oneself to find that synergy within their own industry. Finding how to successfully collaborate, network, and meet other like-minded individuals is key.
Collaboration isn’t just for monetary gain, being around others in the industry will invigorate oneself with that creative energy needed to spark ideas and create masterpieces. Sure, there were many famous artists that worked on their own like Van Gogh or JD Salinger but in today’s world, where access to each other is instantaneous, collaboration and crossing industries is easier than ever.
A tejano singer, Selena, was the lead singer of her band but she loved fashion. Eventually she started designing her on-stage clothes and became solidified in the fashion industry. Leveraging your current position to break into other industries is not far fetched or unheard of. In fact many artists do this or strive to do this in order to expand their reach and expertise.
An easy way to think about this is artists that teach others. For example a photographer may want to teach a beginner class in order to gauge new interest for their network or community. It’s important to realize that as an artist, there’s no limit to what you can do. Collaboration, networking, and exposure are all part of the business of the arts.
When watching a TV show, some may notice that there is art in the background, on the walls, in a house, maybe even on a t-shirt. Someone makes this art and has the sense to get their art in front of the camera. Taking the time to think outside the box, in not just an artistic way but also in a business sense, can get that artwork out there and give an artist exposure. Monetizing art is a loaded topic and comes with a headache of laws and regulations.
There are trademarks and copyrights in the IP sphere, there are artist visas in the immigration sphere, and there are art laws themselves such as agency agreements, consignment agreements and other contracts. These contracts govern the sale of artwork within a gallery or a venue. There are even new laws and regulations popping up such as artist resale rights, which may entitle the artist to compensation anytime the piece is resold. However, getting to this point requires a shift.
To effectively participate in the business of the arts, two things must be done, the first is to shift the mindset. Submitting to the starving artist mentality, however romantic it may be, is detrimental to the artist as a business. The second step is to figure out different venues or avenues to be able to monetize, this includes crossing industry lines. Having a goal to collaborate, build, and monetize with other artists does not take any beauty away from one’s art.
Changing the mindset empowers artists and allows them to continue to express their creativity. There are so many wealthy artists out there who still love and enjoy their craft. You can be one of them and honing in on the business of the arts is the first step in that process.
How to Become an International Artist in the USA
Elektra B. Yao, Esq. is the founder and principal attorney at Yao Law Group a full service, comprehensive immigration law firm. Elektra is admitted to the New York Bar and she practices U.S. Immigration and Nationality law and Deportation Defense in all jurisdictions of the United States of America. Elektra is a very active attorney and is a member of The American Immigration Lawyers Association and The New York City Bar Association, where is she is a member of several committees. As a multicultural attorney, with immigrant parents from Italy and Cote D’Ivoire, Elektra is fully fluent in French, Italian, and Spanish. She has lived, studied, and worked internationally in the US, the EU, and Africa. Not only does she understand the language her clients speak, she understands the cultural landscape of where they come from. Elektra earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts from Marymount Manhattan College in NYC, one of the top art schools in the nation. During her undergraduate university career, Elektra wrote, directed, and produced two documentaries (N*gga What? and The Choking Game) which were screened in Texas and New York City. During college, she worked for MTV, the Style Network, and other distinguished production companies in the Film and TV industry. More about her academic & professional achievements: Elektra earned her Juris Doctor from Lewis and Clark Law School, a nationally ranked, top-tier law school. As a dedicated international professional, Elektra studied in international contexts. She studied in London under Loukas Mistelis, the Professor and Director of the School of Arbitration at the prestigious UK law school Queen Mary University. She also studied at the Peking Law School, the leading Chinese law school, where she earned a Certificate in Chinese Business and Civil law; along with studying at the internationally renowned and prestigious Sorbonne University in Paris, France and in Florence, Italy where she earned Certificates in Comparative Law. Based on her excellent track record, Elektra was also invited to study Eastern European Law at Eotvos Lorand University, the #1 ranked law school in Hungary. She has also completed all of the coursework for a Master’s in Law in European and Spanish Law from the University of Salamanca. Additionally, she holds several Certificates in Italian and European Immigration Law and Policy. Elektra spent several years working for leading boutique immigration law firms in New York City where she developed her expertise in employment-based and family-based immigration law. Throughout her tenure at boutique law firms, Elektra secured artists visas, business visas, and green cards for artists, professionals, and families. The foundation of Elektra’s excellent track record is her belief in customized immigration legal services. Each client has unique needs and Elektra has always recognized that throughout her career. Frustrated at how law firms did not personalize legal services for each client, Elektra founded Yao Law Group. The Yao Law Group offers concierge immigration legal services, in which every client is unique. At Yao Law Group, clients are recognized as people with their own unique story and profile. At Yao Law Group, we understand how delicate the immigration process is, which is why we work together with clients to craft strong, personalized legal petitions to create long-lasting success.
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