Art World Gatekeeping Forces Artists to Compete with Damien Davis (254)

Daniel Sipe and Karlë Woods didn't set out to start an arts organization. They just wanted to talk to artists during the pandemic. Four years later, Lights Out has produced 95 artist documentaries, thrown 18 popup exhibitions across Maine, and built a funding model that includes everything from $10 monthly donors to six-figure state contracts. Their story, shared with host Alyson Stanfield, offers a masterclass in starting before you're ready, investing in what matters (yes, including marketing), and building something sustainable through collaboration rather than competition. They reveal: Why a power outage became the best thing that could have happened at their first art show The $800 investment that felt reckless at the time but proved essential to their credibility How they turned what could be seen as competition into their superpower The state contract that nearly bankrupted them before it saved them The simplest way artists can support arts organizations in their communities Read more, see images, find resources mentioned   Connect with Lights Out Website Videos on YouTube Instagram Email me to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals.   Think you'd make a good guest on The Art Biz? Read This The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.  

Damien Davis is a visual artist and writer who questions the art world's power structures from an artist's perspective. In this conversation with host Alyson Stanfield, he exposes the gatekeeping mechanisms—from application fees to institutional approval—that keep artists competing for artificially scarce opportunities instead of recognizing the abundance they could create together. Damien reveals: How learning business skills like grant writing and fundraising allowed him to stop waiting for gatekeepers and reclaim his studio practice Why he defines a successful artist as simply someone who keeps making art, regardless of galleries or institutional validation How barriers like application fees serve to keep artists competing for resources that should be abundant Why people at the center of the art ecosystem benefit from keeping artists in perpetual competition with each other How his writing exposes exploitation directly while his colorful sculptures draw viewers into uncomfortable conversations about erased histories Read more, see images, find resources mentioned Connect with Damien: Website and Newsletter Instagram Hyperallergic Articles   Email me to discuss strategic consulting for your long-term career goals. Think you'd make a good guest on The Art Biz? Read This The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.  

Host Alyson Stanfield reveals an uncomfortable truth in this solo episode: the problem isn't that you don't know enough. The real challenge is building the confidence to act on what you already know. After 23 years of teaching artists, Alyson has realized she's been contributing to information overwhelm when what artists actually need are practices that build steady confidence. In this episode, you'll discover: The five major confidence killers that derail your plans Six practical confidence-building practices you can start today Why your January plans typically fade by February How to close the gap between planning and execution The difference between accumulating knowledge and trusting yourself HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 Alyson reflects on episode 251 and her realization about information overwhelm 01:00 The real problem isn't lack of knowledge—it's information overload 02:00 What typically happens to January plans by February 03:10 Three things that kill confidence: doubt, false beliefs, and comparison 04:10 How perfectionism is actually procrastination in disguise 05:30 The inner critic voices that keep you stuck 06:30 Learning from outside critics versus harsh feedback 07:20 Six practices for building steady confidence 13:00 The gap between planning and working your plan 14:30 Practice steady confidence this season SUGGESTED ACTION This week, start one confidence-building practice. Choose the one that resonates most: begin a daily wins list, create your "loved" file, write one affirmation, or commit to one self-care practice. You don't need to do all of them at once. Pick one and practice it consistently. RELATED EPISODES Beyond Information: Why Artists Need Frameworks (251) What Your Failures Are Teaching You with Laura Petrovich-Cheney (96) How to Be a More Confident Artist with Gwen Fox (24) To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/steady-confidence 🔶 For the first time, Essentials is available as a single season option—four months focused entirely on building steady confidence. Running through April, you'll get weekly practices, community support, and access to all learning modules when you need them. The planning workshop gives you the plan. The season gives you the practices to meet your goals. Learn more: Essentials for Steady Confidence The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes. HOW TO BE A GUEST Think you have a story to share with other artists here on The Art Biz. Take the first step ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/  

host: Alyson Stanfield In this coaching-style episode, host Alyson Stanfield coaches Ebony Iman Dallas through the challenges of building a sustainable public art career while navigating motherhood, a regional market, and the fear of rejection. Ebony makes 90% of her income from public art but struggles with systems, marketing that highlights events instead of her work, and waiting for opportunities instead of creating them. If you've ever felt stretched between creative work and life responsibilities—or stuck in a local market—you'll recognize yourself here. HIGHLIGHTS 01:30 Ebony's journey from advertising to opening the first art gallery in post-war Somaliland to full-time public art practice 06:10 How Ebony's income breaks down: 90% public art, 10% studio sales 08:30 Why she needs both institutional recognition and sales to spread her messages about Black Oklahoma history 16:30 Ebony admits she has no systems for tracking proposals and keeps everything in her head 21:10 Her graphic memoir Through Abahay's Eyes aims to clear her father's name and show healing is possible 30:20 The critical marketing shift: promote primarily—over events 33:10 Building a VIP list and postcard strategy to stay visible with the right people 40:50 Why fear of rejection keeps your dreams small 44:00 Weekly accountability check-ins take the emotion out and make it a numbers game 46:20 The three main takeaways: accountability structure, VIP postcard strategy, and intentional art-focused marketing ACTION Take one of these strategies and put it into action this week. Reach out to one curator or gallery director. Start your VIP list of people who should know about your work. Or schedule a weekly check-in with an accountability partner to share what you've applied for. RELATED EPISODES Remove Barriers to Buying Your Art (237) How to Guarantee that People Remember You with Skip Hill (187) Risk, Rejection, and Resilience with Christine Aaron (114) To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/shape-opportunities ⭐️ Connect with Ebony and see more of her art: https://ebonyimandallas.com 🔶 If you heard Ebony talk about keeping everything in her head and thought "that's me," join us for Own Your Year 2026, January 13-15. This three-day planning workshop will help you get it all out of your head and onto a plan that actually supports your goals. Registration closes January 12th at artbizsuccess.com/makeaplan. 🔶 If you're looking for more customized support beyond group workshops, I also work privately with a small number of artists each year. Learn more at artbizsuccess.com/consulting. The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes. HOW TO BE A GUEST Think you have a story to share with other artists here on The Art Biz. Take the first step ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/  

What happens when you realize the way you've been working isn't sustainable? When you've built something successful but it's costing you sleep, peace of mind, and the very things you set out to protect? In this solo episode, host Alyson Stanfield gets really vulnerable with a question most artists face at some point: Who am I if I change the way I've always done things? It's about the pressure to maintain what you've always done because that's what you identify with, the FOMO that makes you say yes when your gut says no, and the overwhelm that comes from adding more and more to your plate. Artists don't need more information—they need containers to organize it, filters to prioritize it, and boundaries to protect themselves from overwhelm. You'll hear about identity shifts, the power of asking "where can I lower the bar?" and what it looks like to evolve from consuming content to building frameworks that actually support your business. 🔦 HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 The Artist's Annual Review and why reflecting is an act of courage 02:50 The truth is you don't need more information 04:10 We need to prioritize creating containers, filters, and serious boundaries 06:40 Artists keep telling me they're "so behind" and I never want you to feel that way 09:10 I'm preaching sane planning while juggling an insane schedule 13:50 This is about IDENTITY—who I am at my very core 17:20 The right question: what do I need to let go of? Where can I lower the bar? 20:20 This is about evolution, trusting that what already exists is enough 📖 To read more and find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/beyond-info 🔶 FREE! Download The Artist's Annual Review and ask yourself: What do I need to let go of? Where can I lower the bar? Not just what you want to accomplish in 2026—but what you want less of, and how you want to feel as you move through your days. https://artbizsuccess.com/reviewyouryear 🔶 🔶  OWN YOUR YEAR 2026 🔶 🔶  If you're ready to take that clarity and turn it into a plan—not a plan that adds more to your plate, but a plan that honors where you are and what you actually have the capacity for—join me for Own Your Year 2026. This planning workshop happens January 13-15, 2026. This isn't about tactics or strategies or adding more to your list. It's about alignment. It's about creating a year that feels sustainable and maybe even radiant. Learn more at artbizsuccess.com/makeaplan ⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes. Think you'd make a good podcast guest? Give me your best pitch ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/  

host: Alyson Stanfield In 2020, Dawn Trimble was laid off from her interior design job during the pandemic while navigating a divorce—and she felt relief. That moment became a turning point. Within months of painting full-time, she launched her first collection, which sold out in days and matched her corporate paycheck. Dawn talks about the practical steps she took to build momentum, what she brought from her design background into her art business, how she thinks about creativity as service rather than self-expression, and why she believes the most important thing any artist can do is simply start. HIGHLIGHTS 01:40 Dawn describes her serene watercolor paintings 03:00 The relief of being laid off during the pandemic 05:40 Creating her first collection and selling out in days 08:00 The three-legged stool business approach 26:00 Wall covering licensing partnerships that surprised her with the size of the first checks 29:00 How she structures her week 32:00 Marketing through storytelling and connection 39:00 The "Memories" collection and her father's dementia 44:00 Her faith, viewing herself as conduit, not source 47:20 Her advice to other artists: just do it DAWN'S ACTION FOR YOU Dawn reminds us that everyone has insecurities and everyone is afraid. But you have to start anyway. As she mentioned, inspiration has to find us working. You can't sit around wishing—it has to be an action. So this week, get into your studio and make something. Let inspiration find you working. To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/trimble-revenue Connect with Dawn and see more of her art: https://dawnmtrimbleart.com 🔶 If you've ever felt like you're doing all the things but not seeing sales, or if you're tired of people saying "I love your work" without pulling out their wallet, check out the Followers to Collectors workshop. You'll map out the full journey of how people discover your art, engage with it, build trust over time, and how you make it easy for them to buy when they're ready. Learn more at artbizsuccess.com/f2c RELATED EPISODES Listen to other artists discuss their income streams: Expanding Your Skillset to Respond to Opportunities with Detour (ep. 128) Juggling Multiple Art Styles and Audiences with Robin Maria Pedrero (ep. 103) Beyond Comparison and Jealousy with Jason Kotecki (ep. 191) Transform Your Creative Ideas into Multiple Income Streams: Helen Hiebert (ep. 18) The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes. ~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~ This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here's how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/  

host: Alyson Stanfield Alicia Bailey and Melinda Laz are part of a four-artist collaborative group in Denver that's been working together for years because it's made them better artists. In this conversation, they share the practical realities of collaboration: the systems that keep things organized, the communication that prevents problems, and the trust that makes it all possible. If you've ever wondered whether working with other artists is worth the effort, this episode will show you what's possible when you get it right. 🔦HIGHLIGHTS 01:50 How their friendship evolved into collaboration over 25 years 04:10 The early collaborative work between Alicia and Melinda 05:30 Expanding from a duo to a four-artist collaboration with Catherine Chauvin and Sharon Strasburg 08:30 Why they choose loose collaboration over a more formalized collective 10:40 Drafting proposals together without ego 13:20 Choosing "Perseverance" as their theme to allow broad interpretation 16:10 The systems they use to stay organized and on track 18:00 Why one person serves as the point of contact with galleries 20:40 The importance of going to lunch and doing studio visits 25:40 Learning when to say no to opportunities that don't align 36:20 Communication, clear expectations, and getting everything on the table 40:20 Keeping ego in check while maintaining leadership 🏃THE ARTISTS' ACTION FOR YOU Go to openings and talk to other artists, especially those whose work you feel a resonance with. Go view art even if it's not an opening, then dig deeper by looking at artists' websites or social media pages to learn about the community right in your backyard. Don't be afraid to reach out—send that Instagram message, ask for coffee, introduce yourself at the opening. Artists want to talk to other artists and form community. 📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/friendships-collaborations ⭐️ Connect with the artists: https://aliciabailey.com and https://melindalaz.com 🎧 RELATED EPISODES Interested in collaboration? Check out these episodes: Multiply Your Audience and Expand Your Show's Impact with Jill Powers (ep. 27) Knit Democracy Together with Eve Jacobs-Carnahan (ep. 64) Collaborating on Your Art Business with Rebecca Crowell and Jerry McLaughlin (ep. 86) A Collaboration Between 2 Artists that Led to Creative Growth (ep. 183) 🔶 Community can support your journey in so many ways. We have that kind of community in Essentials for Artist Success. While there are plenty of lessons in our vault—including our current focus on The Artist's Annual Review and planning work we'll dig into in January—our real emphasis is on action and progress. We're here to help you move forward without getting bogged down in more information than you need. Find all the details at artbizsuccess.com/essentials ⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes. ~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~ This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here's how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/  

In part one of this conversation (episode 247), Stephanie Brown shared how she strategically funded her education and built her early career foundation. Now it's time to talk about what happens next: the messy, real, day-to-day work of sustaining an art practice. Stephanie breaks down her actual income streams with host Alyson Stanfield—sharing her five-year vision for gallery representation and explaining how becoming a mother made her bolder and more focused rather than holding her back. 🔦 HIGHLIGHTS 03:50 Stephanie's income percentages from consulting, speaking, art sales, workshops, and grants 07:30 When paying for a residency is worth it (and when it's not) 08:30 The mistake of saying yes to a show just to meet a quota 10:30 Why motherhood pushed Stephanie's art practice harder instead of pausing it 12:20 What "your mom does for a living" should teach about possibility and freedom 18:30 The tools that keep multiple income streams organized 25:30 Why direct outreach finally started working after years of silence 27:30 If forced to choose only one income stream, this would be it—and why 🏃STEPHANIE'S ACTION FOR YOU Make a list of the top ten things you're most scared to do in your art career. Then do the scariest thing on that list. Maybe it's reaching out directly to a gallery you admire. Maybe it's raising your prices. Maybe it's applying to that prestigious residency you've been bookmarking for years. Maybe it's finally having an honest conversation about money with your partner or family. The scary thing is usually the thing that will move you forward the most. 🔶 ESSENTIALS If you need structure and support while you're doing the scary things, that's exactly what we provide in Essentials for Artist Success. We help you build a sustainable foundation for your art business with ongoing lessons, accountability, and coaching. Because taking action is always easier when you're not doing it alone. 🎧 RELATED EPISODES Expanding Your Skillset to Respond to Opportunities with Detour (ep. 128) Juggling Multiple Art Styles and Audiences with Robin Maria Pedrero (ep. 103) Transform Your Creative Ideas into Multiple Income Streams: Helen Hiebert (ep. 18) Raising Prices on Your Art, Valuing Community, and Balancing Motherhood with Bri Larson (ep. 166) 📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/motherhood-brown ⭐️ Connect with Stephanie and see more of her art: https://stephaniebphotos.com ⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes. ~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~ This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here's how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/  

Too many artists graduate from art school with crushing debt and then spend years figuring out how to make money while trying to maintain a studio practice. Stephanie Brown did the opposite. She graduated from a private art school debt-free, secured a fully funded MFA, and has been treating her art career like a business from day one. In this conversation with host Alyson Stanfield, Stephanie breaks down exactly how she did it, and why being strategic about money doesn't make you any less of an artist. 🔦 HIGHLIGHTS 02:00 Why interactive art transforms viewers into participants and creates lasting memory points—and how Stephanie intentionally studied education theory to understand this 06:40 How she graduated from a private art school (SCAD) debt-free by maximizing scholarships and strategically taking general education classes at community college 09:40 Why she only applied to fully funded MFA programs and what made University of Michigan's program worth it 16:30 The best advice Stephanie received about graduate school: only go when you know what you want to say to the world as an artist 23:10 How watching her mother's creative side hustles shaped her belief that artists can make money from their work 24:40 The rules she set for herself (one residency, two exhibitions per year) to ensure she could always say "I'm an exhibiting artist" 31:10 Why working from home during the pandemic was the unlock that gave Stephanie energy and time for serious studio practice 33:20 The transferable skills from her art practice (managing budgets up to $50,000) that landed her higher-paying jobs in project management and business operations 🚀 YOUR ACTION Create your own non-negotiable parameters for your art practice. Stephanie's are at least one residency and two exhibitions per year. What would your rules be? 🎧 RELATED EPISODES She Knows Exactly How Much Her Art Income Will be with Kelly Pelfrey (162) Being an Artist with Geoffrey Gorman (124) Starting Your Art Career (173) 📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/debt-free-brown ⭐️ Connect with Stephanie and see more of her art: https://stephaniebphotos.com 🔶 Does your art business need a boost or a refresh? Please see my comprehensive art-marketing program, Essentials for Artist Success 🔶  full of tools, strategies, and process you need to establish your professionalism and increase your visibility. For those with beginning and emerging art careers and those who need to approach their business with more thought and intention. ⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes. ~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~ This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here's how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/  

Your art doesn't exist in a vacuum. Where and how you show your work shapes how people perceive its value before they even look closely at the piece itself. The venue, the lighting, the labels, the other work nearby—all of it sends signals about whether your art should be taken seriously. In this episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield explores what falls within your control and what doesn't, and why understanding that difference can transform how collectors see you and your work. She encourages you to vet opportunities before committing, establish non-negotiables to establish for yourself, and move strategically toward increasingly prestigious venues rather than staying comfortable with familiar options. Whether you're just starting out or you've been showing for years, you'll learn how to raise your standards and make choices that honor the work you've put into your art. HIGHLIGHTS 00:30 A gallery story that reveals how presentation can undermine even the most exquisite artwork 02:50 Joshua Bell's subway experiment and what it reveals about context over content 04:20 What you can't control after committing: organizers' behavior, placement, promotion, and who else is in the show 06:00 The power of vetting opportunities before you say yes: research methods and setting non-negotiables 09:00 Moving strategically to increasingly prestigious venues rather than staying comfortable 11:40 Being selective even when starting out: choosing the best option available at your career stage 🚀 YOUR ACTION Audit your current opportunities through this lens. For each place you're showing or planning to show, ask yourself: Does this venue's reputation support my prices and goals? Will being here make collectors take me more seriously? What can I control about how my work is presented? And if you can't control key elements, is this opportunity still worth it? 🎧 RELATED EPISODES Seeking Validation and Earning Credibility as an Artist (129) How One Curator Works with Artists at a Regional Art Center with Collin Parson (116) Lessons from a Wildly Successful Pop-up Art Gallery Event with Mai Wyn Schantz (109) 📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit artbizsuccess.com/undermining-value 🔶 Context shapes perception. It's why galleries are selective about their roster and why collectors pay attention to provenance. If you want to command higher prices, context matters enormously. In Elevate Your Art, Alyson covers numerous strategies for increasing the perceived value of your work and being strategic about where and how you show. This is just one of them. The live session on November 18th, with on demand training available afterward. Visit artbizsuccess.com/elevate for all the details. ⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes. ~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~ This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here's how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/