Art ist As An Entrepreneur

A J AY B A M , 1 s t O c t o b e r, 2 0 1 3

© c o p y r i g h t - A j a y B a m 1

� Background and why me?� Assumptions� The Art ist conundrum� Tactical vs. the Emotional� Open conversat ion� Q & A

AGENDA

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Background

• Mult i -cultural background.• Inf luenced signif icant ly by my travels.• Created Art and now col lect ing Art .• Educator, Innovator, Curator &

Entrepreneur.

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Assumptions

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• Art is ts are so lo curators unl ike a business ent repreneur.

• Art is ts have a v is ion and where they want to go.

• Art is ts don’ t work for the customer unl ike business ent repreneurs whose miss ion is “what customer wants” .

• I t ’s not necessar i ly about so lv ing a problem, f ix ing an exper ience or innovat ion but about

• Emot ions, fee l ings, d isrupt ing a thought process or is about making an in te l lectua l po int .

• Most ar t connoisseurs do not make repeat ART purchases on a f requent bas is .

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Business, Business!!

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A R T S U F F E R S T H E M O M E N T O T H E R P E O P L E S TA R T PAY I N G F O R I T.

H u g h M a c l e o d , c a r t o o n i s t

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We l ive in contradict ions!

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• Science vs . Spi r i tua l i ty

• Creat ive in tegr i ty vs . Commissioned work

• We want to l ive but our ce l ls age every day.

• Evolut ion vs . In te l l igent Design ☺☺☺☺ !

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But why not embrace contradict ion?

• Think of art as complementary to the pursuit of happiness.

• Embrace our inner contradict ions.• Be human.• Be inspirat ional .• Money is not the end. I t ’s the means.• I t ’s the work and not the reward. Reward

wi l l come.

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Inf luences

R.K.Laxman

Hans Wegner

J.R.

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Inf luences

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• J R f r o m P a r i s – h e l p e d m e g a i n m o r e e m p a t h y f o r t h e h a ve - n o t s a n d b r o u g h t a f a c e f o rw a r d t o a c a u s e .

• R . K . L a x m a n – A c a r t o o n i s t , w h o e d u c a t e d m e o n p o l i t i c s , h u m o r a n d g a ve m e a n o p p o r t u n i t y t o l a u g h a t m ys e l f .

• H a n s We g n e r – T h a t s i m p l e i s b e a u t i f u l .10

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An Art ist ’s l i fe

-> loyalty -> growth

Inspiration -> creation -> focus

-> branding -> awareness -> packaging -> pricing -> sale

You cannot influence what’s above the line

but you can influence what’s below

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Building your personal brand!

W h a t d o yo u s t a n d f o r a s a n a r t i s t ?E m o t i o n

C o l o rTy p e o f a r tAu d i e n c eT h e r a p y

H o w d o yo u b r a n d yo u r s e l f ?P h ys i c a l

D r e s sC a r d sVi r t u a l

M e s s a g i n g

What is one th ing that w i l l make you memorable?

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Do you have a mentor?

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Awareness - Building your audience one day at a time

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• To gain more inspiration.

• Build your lists – “Pay forward strategy”.

• Yes your potential customer list.

• Share your story.

• To spread the word about your vision, mission

and voice.

• Persistence and consistent messaging pays off.

• Get others to talk about your art.

• Make an effort to understand the other side

• Gallery owners, curators, patrons. 15

What network do you belong to?

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• Global iza t ion means that ‘Ar t ’ t ranscends borders .

• Your reach is more than you know.• Everyone is watching i f you want to put

on the show.• More have t ime and money to own ar t in BRICS.• Mi l lennium generat ion has l i t t le a t tent ion span.

They get i t in b i ts and b i tes .• 3D pr in t ing w i l l revolut ion ize how people th ink

of ar t .

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Business models are changing!

• Rent vs . Own. We l ive in shared economy.• Networked economy and “ l ikes” mat ter.• I t might not be about your ar t but what

surrounds i t .• People , network , in f luence, po l i t ics and

cul ture • You can copy my ar t but you cannot copy me.• Can you de l iver me fu l l serv ice?• Show them how you made i t . Even passive ar t

can be in teract ive by engaging the audience appropr ia te ly

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Juried Shows, Festivals

Galleries

Prestigious galleries

Corporate

Collection

Museums

Who is watching, how many , where and when matters!

ARTIST FOOD CHAIN

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Have you bothered to check in?

• When was the last t ime you checked in with your patron?

• Do you keep your l ist , patrons, and wel l wishers informed?

• Do you go where they go?• Instagram, Tumblr, Twit ter, Airbnb,

Alma matter

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I bel ieve that “art ists can be an Artepreneurs” by

• Being complimentary.• Listening to what’s around you.• Pull ing your audience into your vision,

inspirat ion & conversat ion.

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What are few things that have kept you from pursuing your entrepreneurial path as

an Art ist?

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Find me – “Ajay Bam” on the networks be lowOr emai l me a jbam@yahoo.com.

© c o p y r i g h t A j a y B a m 23

• Designboom.com

• Dezeen.com

• CoolHunting.com

• Monocle Magazine.

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