Tips on networking

There aren’t many things that make me as uncomfortable as having to go and network. As a self-proclaimed introvert, the ‘networking’ portion of an event usually is the part I just missed or can’t stick around for. But thanks to many classes, workshops, and more importantly, just going out and doing it, I can network with the best of ‘em (on a good day).

Artists can also be shy, lonely creatures in person, and when one hasn’t been trained as to why and how they should network, their ability to or interest in it can diminish.

There are at least two reasons why I believe we, as artists or arts administrators of color, need to make the effort to expand our network through attending events with the goal of doing so.

One, it is a great way to build your career. Meeting new people can yield sales of your work, business resources and partnerships, grant or funding opportunities, and artistic inspiration. If you are trying to generate visits to your website, trying to build your email list for promoting your next exhibit/event, or simply finding out how to use an email list, a conference or networking event can be a great opportunity to do so.

Two, having a visible presence at events affirms our presence among the larger arts community and is a platform for our voices to be heard. We shouldn’t be content with just showing our work to the same people, or sharing our experiences only within our communities.

I stumbled upon this helpful article from the New York Times that provides tips for those of us who cringe at the thought of networking.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/23/business/smallbusiness/23toolkit.html

I can appreciate the writer’s advice to have an objective before going to an event where you will be networking; is your goal to add five people to your mailing list? To meet the rep. from the local arts space you are looking to show or perform at? At conferences, I like to review and highlight the attendee list of people attending that I would like to meet, and then do the best I can to meet them. I also can appreciate the advice to not try to be someone you aren’t. 

Below, are a number of events you can use as opportunities to practice, practice, practice, and benefit from. I found out about these were all passed on to me thanks to the magic of networking.

Chicago Foundation for Women: Board Boot Camp- Training for Women interested in joining nonprofit boards- June 8-10-  Link 

National Latino Writers Conference- May 18-21 in Albuquerque, NM- A great article on why you should attend the conference by Proyecto Latina-  Link

NALAC Leadership Institute- July 11-16 in San Antonio, TX- The deadline to apply has been extended to Wednesday, April 27. - Link

Illinois Arts Council's One State Together in the Arts Conference- May 23-24 in Bloomington-Normal, IL- Great opportunity to meet artists and arts organizations from all over Illinois- Link

The Arts and Culture In Action- April 27, at the Goodman Theatre in downtown Chicago- Take part in a discussion that will feature National Endowment of the Arts Chairman Rocco Landesman. - Link

2011 Making Media Connections Conference- June 8-9, at Columbia College Chicago Film- Learn how to reach out to the media, manage a website, and use social networking towards your career- Link

Funding available for Illinois artists/orgs accepted to NALAC Leadership Institute

In my last post, I mentioned I would be searching for opportunities to subsidize the cost of the NALAC Leadership Institute. I have some good news!

The Illinois Arts Council (IAC) will have funds available to offer partial support for eligible Illinois applicants who are accepted to attend the week-long Institute in San Antonio this summer.

Applicants can be not-for-profit organizations incorporated in Illinois or an individual at least 18 years old and a legal resident of Illinois for at least twelve months prior to applying.  Given the state’s financial troubles, you should expect the IAC to reimburse you for the costs, rather than pay you in advance of the training.

Nonetheless, this support makes the training very affordable for an individual or small organization, and further compounds the rationale for having an Illinois representative this year.

Props to Eliud Hernandez, Deputy Director at the Illinois Arts Council who helped make this happen. Feel free to contact him for more information on this funding or any other questions on IAC support.

It is my goal to get as many people from Illinois to apply. I know some have expressed doubt as to whether this training can help an independent artist, or is only meant to those who work for an arts organization. I contacted my fellow 2007 alumni for their rebuttal of this type of thinking, and here is what they said:

  

Gerardo Quetzatl Garcia: “I've survived as an independent tattoo artist for almost 3 years..Many of the ways I've kept myself and my wife going are directly related to the connections I made as a result of the leadership Institute. Through the Institute , I was introduced to an entire community of like-minded artists who's positivity and support have been an immense help over the past few years. I've shown work in California, made new friends in San Francisco, and made some decent money the whole way by tattooing any and every potential client I've met. My wife Cardee and I are actually heading to San Diego this month for Chicano Park day, where we'll share a vending booth selling t-shirts and books of our artwork, not to mention tattooing all the clients that have been waiting since our last visit in Aug, 2010.”

Celeste De Luna: “I can tell you that the Institute was beneficial for me as an artist because I learned about taking my own work more seriously and being professional. What you learn from the Leadership Institute is how to manage not just the creative side of art, but the business side as well. NALaC can give you models to follow, with buena gente you can relate to.”

Lizbeth Ortiz: "I can say that NALAC helped me view the bigger picture of the art scene, not only point A where I stand but the universal bird's eye view of the community."

Do it: Apply Here. Deadline is Friday, April 15

P.S.: If question #2 in section B of the application troubles you,  describe your artistic career as your 'organization'. Are you part of a collective? Run an art gallery? Produce shows? That is your 'organization' as well, and you do admin work when you apply for grants, do outreach and handle all the tasks of producing a show.