IF you are overseas, I got you covered…

If you’re located in Seattle, take advantage

Chicago is singing one happy tune opening doors to most city museums providing free entry. Hurry, it’s time to explore Chicago!

Hey you, Philadelphia! Let’s see what’s going on in your city!

Texas is going all art ya’ll!

Here’s a SMALL sample list of participating museums in New York City on FRIDAY ONLY (free, pay-as-you-wish, 2-4-1):

American Folk Art Museum, “Jubilation/Rumination: Life, Real and Imagined,” free

Asia Society Museum, “Transforming Minds: Buddhism in Art,” free

Bronx Museum, “Juan Downey: The Invisible Architect,” free (eligible for 20% new membership!)

Grey Art Gallery, “Storied Past: French Art from NYU’s Collection,” free

Japan Society Gallery, “Deco Japan: Shaping Art and Culture, 1920-1945,” free 6-9 p.m

Jewish Museum, “Kehinde Wiley/The World Stage: Israel,” free

Studio Museum in Harlem, “Shift: Projects/Perspectives/Directions,” free

Whitney Museum of American Art, “Whitney Biennial,” pay what you wish 6-9 p.m.

Museum of Modern Art, “Cindy Sherman,” 1/2-priced ticket when purchased online

The Brooklyn Museum, “Keith Haring 1978-1982,” 2-for-1 admission

The Guggenheim Museum, “Francesca Woodman,” 2-for-1 admission

If I didn’t cover your city make sure to check your local government website, community event page or local art event calendar for details.

If you would like to see YOUR local city art events listed with Artmeme, please contact: advertising@artme.me

On Tuesday, May 22nd from 7:00 – 9:30 pm Active Ideas Productions and General Assembly host:

Tech Tools for the Art World -  a panel discussion being held at General Assembly which is located at 902 Broadway on the 4th Floor. Tickets and more information are available here.  Also, Complementary vodka cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served.

Featured Panelists:

Tucker Neel: Vice President of GYSY-Ink & a Los Angeles based artist, freelance writer, & independent curator. Jonathan Munar: Director of Digital Media and Strategy at Art21. Dogan Perese: Founder and CEO of Gallerist. Caroline Green: Partner and Director of Business Development at IvanExpert. Click to read more…

The past decade of technological advances has provided tools to expedite and simplify everyday life. With these changes it has become more important than ever for artists to utilize these tools to find creative solutions in presenting their work; dramatically changing the way artists interact with the community, and their art object.

Please join us for a thoughtful panel discussion moderated by Annika Connor, which will focus on the place of technology as an alternative vehicle for creating, promoting, showing, and selling art. Artists are no longer confined to the studio or gallery.

We will discuss how new media has become crucial to an artist’s identity, and how exciting in-studio technology tools can now deliver innovative ways to capture, create, and promote artwork. Come learn with us about these exciting new advances. This panel will be illuminating to artists, tech developers, and collectors alike!

Featured panelists include innovators, purveyors, and artists whose everyday work is revolutionizing the way the world interacts with art. We are interested in exploring how new advances in technology are providing the general public with new ways to learn and gain a more global understanding of art around the world. We welcome the audiences comments and participation at what is bound to be an interesting and informative night for all.

To purchase a ticket and to read more about the event, please visit the website here. 

Can’t make it? Sign up to AIP and Annika Connor’s mailing list by going here to stay in the loop on future events and exhibitions.

For more information about Active Ideas Productions visit our website here. Follow us @twitter or like on facebook! You can follow Annika Connor’s @twitter and facebook as well!

PS. Artists,Memorial Day Weekend Special! Get 28% OFF on all orders at Art.com! (valid from 5/24/12 to 5/28/12) Use Code: MEMORIAL28

As a former actor and musician, and latterly a marketing professional and MBA I’ve walked the tight-rope between the world of creative arts and hard-nosed business. My experience is that creative artists are more able to deal with ambiguity, they are more adept at exploiting market opportunities and reacting to change and they tend to have unique skills in bringing new concepts and products to market. These are skills that most established businesses are realizing they need. However, when applied to the start-up context they are not sufficient in and of their own. Sadly, the scientists amongst the business community have still got a few things right. No matter how great the idea, you will need to manage your cash-flow and produce statements of account.

I work with many business owners who are creative artists, artisans or small-scale designer makers. I tend only to work with the very best people in their field and what unites them is that they are all uncompromising about quality and slightly obsessive about their core business. They run bespoke events and workshops, creative classes and inspire people with unique things to do, predominantly in London and the UK. So whether it’s a visual artist running life drawing classes for hen parties or a milliner arranging hat making parties for groups of enthusiastic punters, their passion and attention to detail is what attracts and retains attention. What makes them profitable is that they know when their expertise starts and ends, and where they need to ask for help.

Successful creative businesses know when to hand over to the professionals, carefully selecting outsourced business partners and consultants to help them negotiate more specialist areas: in our case we are a marketing platform that helps expose creative start-ups in the leisure lifestyle sector to new audiences. Whether it’s a marketing partner, HR or accounting, make sure you have proper guidance in key established business areas, otherwise all your creativity will come to nought. To find out more about this success creative business, please visit their website.

Also, check out Dick Blick Deals for amazing artist supply deals!

I had the pleasure of sitting down and talking with the lovely Megan Gulick, Founder of Not Yo Mama’s Affair in Jersey City and Michelle Mumoli, Public Relations and Event Manager for Not Yo Mama’s.

What advice would you give to artists starting out in this industry?

Michelle: Network, Network, Network through every possible avenue you can.

Megan: Ask as many questions as possible, without being annoying. Set goals. Don’t be afraid of your own success. And don’t be afraid of failing from time to time, because it’s an opportunity to learn.

Lil Fishy from Fools Fair

I was really curious about the name and I had to ask – what’s the story behind “Not Yo Mama’s” name?

Megan: It’s all in the name, Not yo’ mama’s… we don’t necessarily run traditional craft fairs. We jury folks into our fairs. We like unique artists and creators.  

How was Not Yo Mama’s founded and what challenges did you face in launching it?

Megan: I was sitting around with a couple of ladies when we realized that, at the time, there were few places for our friends who were creative geniuses (but not necessarily gallery artists) to sell their works and network with folks on a personal level. I.E. No freakin’ craft fairs were popping up and the handmade movement was becoming much stronger.
We didn’t face many challenges, aside from the normal event-planning worries, personal work style understandings and time management issues. I really loved the ladies I was working with, (& still miss them a ton!) but sometimes business and friendships are oil and vinegar.

Megan, Founder of Not Yo' Mama's Affair

What do you consider to be the biggest success of Not Yo Mama’s?

Megan: That’s tough to say. I’m really proud of the fact that we can help other creative folks present their products to such a supportive audience. And I’m really proud of the community we’re creating. I’m not sure we’ve quite reached our “biggest success” just yet.

Describe Not Yo Mama’s in five words:

Michelle: Accessible, innovative, ambitious, humorous, trustworthy

What’s your favorite fair event till date?

Michelle: The Fools Fair. It was like a live game show!
Megan: The 2nd Annual is neck and neck with the Fools Fair. The FF was great! Michelle is amazing on the mic & we’ve had a lot of laughs these past few months. The 2nd Annual is near & dear because we had a lot at stake, so the success of the event was super sweet.

Michelle, Raffling at a a Not Yo Mama's Affair event

How have you personally grown as an entrepreneur?

Michelle: Understanding that perseverance is integral to the growing process and adding a dash of patience to that formula.
Megan: Absolutely. I’m more organized, more patient, more serious, more grateful. I’m not sure how much that’s saying, though; That makes me sound less fun… Essentially, doing taxes and creating budgets and schedules is something that makes a girl look at the world in a different light. But I can still burp the alphabet on command

When is the next fair Not Yo Mama is organizing?

Michelle: We have 17 dates of fairs this year from April to December. Our next fair is May 12^th at Van Vorst Park and after that May 24^th at the W Hotel in Hoboken. June 23^rd is our huge 4^th Annual Blowout Bash encompassing 3 streets of the Powerhouse District with food trucks, live music and fun surprises for the whole family!

Items on sale at the Fools Not Yo' Mama's Fool Fair

Any suggestions on how business and organizations can get involved with Not Yo Mama?

Email us, notyomamajc@gmail.com! We are totally open to new ideas. Nothing is too crazy for us. We sometimes have to check with the “law” before we announce an idea. Otherwise, we’d have fireworks and an archery circle at every event…

Enjoy the video. 

Artmeme Guest Writer Crystal Grandison is a performer, art-lover and writes for a variety of blogs about different topics relating to art and fashion. You can follow her on Twitter @crystalmgrand.

Growing up I had always been introduced to many artists and their different pieces of work. On family vacations, many hours were taken up jumping in and out of art galleries exploring the local artists. The walls in my house are covered by majority of this work. There is something therapeutic about viewing different art at a gallery. Not having the time to travel as much as I’d like I have not been able to take advantage of viewing art. Until now.

I recently came across a website, theFairgoer, which hosts different international art fairs and connects you with art galleries around the world. I couldn’t believe how many different collections they had available to view. I felt as though I was physically at the art fair.

theFairgoer organizes each fair into different galleries and through different artists. They provide all the information about the fair and even have the artwork available to view months after the fair has been closed. For example, the Art Madrid 12 Fair is still available to view and the actual fair closed back in February 2012.

After going through each artist, I was able to check track of all my favorite collections and add it to “My Favorites”. theFairgoer even lets you share these pieces of work through different social networks such as Twitter and Facebook. I was able to share everything with my family and friends. Here’s a quick view of some of my favorites pieces that I found. These artists were from all different art fairs and I was able to contact the actual gallery to learn more about purchasing each item.

Overall, I loved my experience with theFairgoer. They will be hosting two fairs this upcoming May which I am very excited about. The first being the Milan Image Art Fair will start on May 3^rd  in Milan Italy and will focus on photography and video art. This fair will be unique since each booth will feature one special artist.  The second of the month, SWAB 2012, which will be exhibiting in Barcelona, Spain, will start May 23^rd. This is a huge fair and I am really looking forward to this as it fits in the genre of art I am most interesting in, contemporary art. Both fairs will be accessible on theFairgoer until June 24^th.

Also, note from Artmeme. If you’re looking for sales on supplies, check out Dick Blick Deals for amazing artist supply deals!

Artmeme is pleased to introduce our Monthly Guest Writer, Thomas Donae.

Why Artists Need Mentors

Artists need mentors–not just from a craft perspective, but also from a personal and professional perspective. In order to maintain equilibrium between the production, lifestyle and financial sides of your career, you need experienced counselors and seasoned mentors who understand your situation. People who work at large corporations receive training on how to navigate complicated disciplines like financial planning, preparing taxes and purchasing insurance. Artists need similar training, and receiving advice in five strategic categories can help you build and maintain a successful career as an artist.

Insurance Advice

Even if you quietly paint in your studio all day, you need an insurance policy. As a self-employed artist functioning without the backing of a large corporation, private health insurance is a form of protection you can’t live without. If you suffer from an illness or have an accident, insurance enables you to visit the doctor and receive the treatment that you need.

A mentor may be able to help you decide on the best insurance policies to make sure you’re covered and get something you can afford. You may also need business insurance to cover accidents your customers may suffer while visiting your gallery or place of business. If you plan on getting serious with your craft and making it your full-time career, insurance is one of the most important topics that should be discussed with a mentor before you move forward.

Legal Advice

As a self-employed businessperson, you’ll need legal advice on matters like preparing contracts or arranging your estate. A mentor can recommend a qualified lawyer and help you ask the right questions for your business.

Other examples of situations in which you would need legal advice include deciding if your business will be a sole proprietorship or a corporation. Filing a fictitious name application for your business or liability issues you may face as you exhibit your work at art shows or in your home studio are all important issues to discuss as well.

Tax Advice

While you’re busy painting or sculpting the next great work of art, you might neglect important tax issues. Do you understand which business expenses are tax-deductible? Do you know how to file your taxes with the complicated schedules and forms? Most likely, you need tax advice from a certified accountant.

Find an honest and reliable accountant who understands an artist’s needs. This is another area where a mentor is extremely helpful. Talking to someone who has experience in your industry and many connections will ease the stress on you because you will have a reference point to check in with. Bounce ideas off of your mentor and take suggestions, whether or not you act on the advice is up to you.

You’ll need help navigating charitable donations when you choose to donate your art to local causes and you may need help understanding how and when to charge sales tax. A mentor can provide invaluable advice in these and other tax-related issues.

Financial Planning Advice

Living on an artist’s income often means balancing weeks of steady income with weeks of sporadic income. Creating and maintaining a feasible spending plan may seem impossible, but accepting a mentor’s help can give you a new financial point of view. Seasoned artists understand the value of financial planning, and they can help you manage your income and expenses and plan for the future. While you’d probably rather focus on perfecting your craft, mastering basic record keeping and accounting principles like balancing your checkbook can lay the foundation for professional success.

Receive assistance in deciding if you should open a 401k or an IRA. Learn how to calculate interest on a loan you may need to obtain to cover start-up costs. Understand how to charge a fair price for your art. With a mentor’s assistance, you can organize your finances and prepare for your future.

Professional Advice

Despite your talent, you need help marketing your work and networking with customers and other artists. Use a mentor’s experience and existing networks to grow your business. Meet other artists who challenge and encourage you. Learn tricks that improve your craft or find outlets for your wares.

A mentor can also offer constructive criticism that improves your professional skills. Learn practical ways to avoid burn out or handle harsh criticism. With assistance from an experienced mentor, you can acquire professional skills and knowledge that can be used to help you reach success personally and professionally

Self-employment provides unique rewards, but it also requires hard work. Having a mentor can make the transition smoother and help you find direction when you’re just starting out. As an artist you may be able to create fine lines and blend color, but you may be unfamiliar with effective marketing strategies or which expenses are tax-deductible. Ask a trusted mentor to provide guidance or to connect you with a trustworthy professional as you seek to turn your artistic abilities into a lucrative business.

If you’re looking for sales on supplies, check out Dick Blick Deals for amazing artist supply deals!