Studio Notes
STUDIO NOTE For emerging artists building a professional practice. Practical insights for galleries, portfolios, artist statements, pricing, networking, and professional practice.
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Best Cities in the US for Emerging Artists After MFA
One of the first decisions MFA graduates face isn’t about the work — it’s about where to live. Staying in the city where you went to school, moving to New York or LA, choosing somewhere cheaper and less crowded: each option has real consequences for how the next few years of your practice develop. The
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Best US Cities for Artist Residencies
The best US cities for artist residencies offer more than just a studio and a bed — the city itself shapes what the residency experience becomes. Which galleries are accessible, what kind of artist community exists, how far your stipend stretches, what kind of work the environment invites: all of this is determined by location.
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Artist Grants in the US — How to Find, Apply, and Actually Get Funded (2026)
There are more artist grants in the US than most artists realize — and the main reason they go unclaimed isn’t a lack of qualified applicants. It’s a lack of information about where to look and how to apply. Federal agencies, state arts councils, private foundations, and nonprofit organizations all run funding programs for working
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How Artists Build Relationships With Galleries Before Representation
Sending an email to a gallery director and building a relationship with a gallery are two different things. Many artists conflate them — attaching portfolio images to a cold email, waiting for a response that never comes, and concluding they’ve been rejected. But how artists build relationships with galleries rarely follows that sequence. Many artists
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How to Photograph Your Artwork for an Online Portfolio (Portfolio)
You can spend hundreds of hours making a piece of work — and lose the viewer in the first three seconds because the photo doesn’t do it justice. Gallery directors, MFA admissions committees, residency panels — they’re not seeing your work in person. They’re seeing a photograph of it. And how well that photograph represents
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Artist CV vs Resume — What’s the Difference and When to Use EachÂ
There’s a moment that catches a lot of artists off guard — you’re filling out a residency application, and the form says “attach your CV or resume.” You have something saved on your computer. It might even be labeled “CV.” But suddenly you’re not sure: is this the right document? Is a CV and a
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Behance vs Instagram vs Portfolio Website — Where Artists Get Clients
When artists compare Behance vs Instagram vs portfolio website options, the real question is which platform actually brings in clients. The honest answer is that it depends on what kind of work you do and who you are trying to reach. A graphic designer doing client work, a fine arts MFA applicant, and an illustrator
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Best Portfolio Platforms for Artists — Squarespace vs Cargo Compared
If you’re trying to decide which platform to use for your artist portfolio, this guide is for you. Squarespace and Cargo are two of the most recommended options for artists and designers — but once you actually use them, they feel completely different. This comparison of the best portfolio platforms for artists breaks down design
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How Artists Negotiate Gallery Representation — 7 Things to Know Before You Sign
When artists negotiate gallery representation for the first time, the conversation can feel like a milestone — and in many ways, it is. A gallery wants to invest in your work, promote it to collectors, and build your career over time. That kind of professional recognition matters. But exclusive representation is also a significant legal
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How Gallery Commission Splits Work — 5 Essential Facts Every Artist Must Know
Gallery commission splits are one of the most unfamiliar and uncomfortable topics for artists entering the gallery world for the first time is the commission split. How is revenue divided when a piece sells? What determines the percentage? And how do you know whether the terms you’re being offered are reasonable? Because these conversations rarely happen