I am curious to discover what is being done from a global perspective

I paint with matte acrylic paint (flashe, Golden SoFlat) on gessoed wood panels. What are your opinions on the best matte varnish and tips and tricks for application? Are there any drawbacks to not varnishing?

For context of “the worst”: I was fascinated by critic and curator Bob Nickas’ “The Best of 2023, The Worst of 2023,” in which he rationalizes the need to come up “the worst” as follows:

“This was the list I first thought of to compile, ‘The Worst of 2023,’ with glimmers of hope as counterbalance, although difficult to achieve, since negativity outweighs positivity…Also in play was an abiding reluctance to give any attention to mediocrity celebrated beyond all reason: a distorted feature of our time. Why shine a light on those richly rewarded, and undeservedly so? It’s said there is no such thing as bad press. Let’s consider countering that with silence as required.”

Can be both museum and gallery shows.

Let’s hope the (relative) anonymity of Reddit can make the discussion somewhat productve.

I have an interview coming up to be studio assistant to an artist (photography, video) and DJ. Does anyone have tips for what I could do to prepare? I’m planning on going through the artist’s portfolio and DJ sets to get more familiar with their work.

What questions should I be asking myself/anticipating, and what should I ask during the interview?

My main worry is that my CV/portfolio aren’t very impressive. I don’t have the best knowledge of the contemporary art world either, but I’d love to learn from this job, so I applied. I had some personal struggles during college (majored in film) and didn’t pursue many opportunities or make personal work. I’m feeling a lot better now, a year after graduating, and I’ve only just started making work I’m passionate about. They’re also paintings, not video work. I feel like I’m making a much needed transition and hope this works out. I’m trying to stay positive because I did get the interview and I figured as an assistant I don’t have to be so accomplished. Would appreciate any tips!

If not able to attend an opening in person, how long after a show opens should the artist expect to hear from the gallery with an update about how the opening went, sales information, etc?

I’ve had some gallerists contact me throughout even short fair booth runs, keeping me posted as to how it was going etc. (really appreciate this) And I have also experienced doing solo shows and never hearing a word from the gallery until I check back in with them (thinking about severing ties with this one)

What’s the general consensus on what’s proper?

Anyone attend the program and could offer insight? How are the teachers and the culture of the student body?

I like the campus, and the course seems good, but a 48% acceptance rate makes me wonder if the students are really that talented or competitive?

I like some of the teachers' work, but it's a mixed bag.

I'm basically looking for a program that will help me develop a body of work exploring themes of American history and the current hostile political climate. I would love to spend time in a community of artists where we can bounce ideas off each other critiquing those themes. Is Pratt the best MFA program in NYC for those interests?

Ideally, I would like to come out of an MFA program with a bunch of new connections into the Art world and community. Friends, professional connections to galleries, collectors, curators. Would Pratt give the best opportunities for those in NYC?

I generally already have a painting style (figurative) and ideas for what I'd like my body of work to be, I'm mostly interested in an MFA program for the access to the fine arts community, future career opportunities, and an environment that will give me time and space to help me think critically about culture. Would a Pratt MFA be good to provide these things or should I consider other NYC MFA programs?

Thanks for any information and insight!

Hi there. I have an MFA (graduated 12 years ago), but shortly after graduating I left the workforce (job in the arts) with the birth of my first child. Stayed home with my kids for a few years and then ended up being a family caregiver for my mom through Parkinson's/dementia, which was an excruciatingly long and painful road. She passed in August and my kids are old enough now that I can finally contemplate a serious return to art. I realize I need to familiarize myself with the entire "scene." I'm a quick study and I want to get started... it's both exciting and terrifying, facing the possibility of prioritizing art again. Appreciate any recommendations. Thanks!

We hear how they’re broke but what are the costs? You need studio space and some tutors and the degree admin work - I get that, but you also have hundreds of students paying thousands a year. Where does the money go?

There are some fully-funded MFA design programs that are very appealing to me. I'm actually in my final year of completing my Master in Landscape Architecture (MLA), and I want to continue to focus on the creative side of work and grow as an artist. I have strong support from faculty to go for it, but my one major concern is that I don't have a traditional art portfolio. Mine is very much focused on design process, sketches and perspective renderings, 3d and some physical modeling -- similar to architecture. There's also GIS and lots of drafting, so it isn't the most conceptual work I've ever done, but the design process shows conceptual thinking and iterations. I've also done quite a bit of graphic design and architectural visualization work, both of which are static and some animated. But I don't have compelling art pieces like paintings or hardcore pencil drawings. I experiment a lot with pen, ink, and markers, so that's the bulk of my "art." I have some time to work on some physical pieces, which tie to my interest in environment and art.

Anyway, would I be at a disadvantage if I applied with this type of portfolio? Do programs embrace diverse portfolio material? I don't even know if it's worth it or just wait a year to get more art pieces under my belt. My end goal for the MFA is to focus on eco-art/environmental art and public installations btw. Thanks for your feedback.

Watercolor, water based media or ink wash, curious to see painters that use these transparent mediums as opposed to opaque paints.

I am curious if there are any contemporary artists in any medium, especially sculpture and installation that deal with themes such as depression and su*cide in their work. I haven't managed to find much and I wonder if such topics are deemed too personal or intense or ... I don't know "attention seeking" to be holding any value.

I paint abstract art. It doesn't follow any rules. I paint about 15-20 hours a week. Most of my paintings don't work out; their experimental. I feel like I'm always practicing & learning.

And then I wondered, what am I practicing or learning? Answer: I'm not sure. I think I'm getting better, though. Yet, I see people who have been painting for decades, and their work still looks amateurish to me. I am terrified that could be me in ten years. How do I know if I'm growing as an artist? Is there a criteria? I don't think there is. Yet, I see some mature artist's work, and I am in awe of their creations. I find their paintings to be just overwhelmingly brilliant. Any thoughts?

Does anyone know of any good places in manhattan/brooklyn offering art classes? I know of the Arts students league, and am considering taking some classes there part time, Larry Poons teaches there which i find really cool. I've applied for MFAs once before (Hunter, Yale, the usual suspects), but did not have any luck. I guess im looking for a somewhat academic setting to make and talk about art in, that would get me good experience/maybe some connections and also might look good on a future application for when I try to get into schools again.

I am looking for an (active) art movement/collective, maybe similar to the Acéphale, the Surrealists back in the day (not in content necessarily, but in the way it works).

In other words, I am looking for a place that isn't just a random publication, where transgressive artists of similar worldviews/mindsets/art-philosophies create and/or publish together, no matter if that would be a blog, website, discord server, or whatever.

It seems that the age of avant-garde art that we had in the 20th century is fully dead, but I am wondering If we still have leftovers of such types of collectives.

Hey! not great at posting on reddit yet- but I am looking for artists that got their MFA after the age of 45 (preference for new england based artists but curious about anyone) working on a show based on Nell Painter’s book ‘Old In Art School’ Thanks!

Hi!

Can someone explain what does latest ig story mean? Jonas Wood posted figure of P.Diddy and tagged account @unfollowing. On this account are many figures of infamous people, but there is also Virgil Abloh and "decent people" like Takashi.

Hi there, without going into too much detail, I have a potential option to get access to an old house in the woods to use as a studio. It would need some fixing up but would be a lot bigger than my little urban rented studio. And it’s in a beautiful forest which would be inspiring.

The thing is it’s an hour and fifteen minutes from my house. I work full-time, so I don’t paint every day…but even so this seems potentially tricky. On the other hand it might be like a mini-residency or something.

Has anyone here had a studio so far from home before? What is/was that like for you?

Theres a whole thread and I'm wondering if people know more specifically what hes talking about

https://www.instagram.com/stories/andrewwoolbright/3522383203170330601?utm_source=ig_story_item_share&igsh=dzZ4dDhrb3hzdzhs

Hello! I a based in Europe. I am in 4th year studying International Relations, I am very passionate about art and would love to join the industry’s business side of it. I’m particularly interested in auction houses.. I was thinking I could do a Masters in Business Administration or a masters in art business (the sothebys one is extremely expensive though so it would need to be another one). Or start with an internship at an art gallery or auction house if I find one? The thing is, from reading multiple posts on this app and from other sources, it seems to be really hard to get your foot in this industry even with art business degrees. I’m wondering if anyone based in Europe has had a similar trajectory or who was able to get a good job in a big auction house in the business department. Thank you!!

I have always had a passion for art and I’m thinking about opening up an art gallery to amplify artists in my local area.

What was your experience starting a gallery? What advice would you give someone just starting out?

So far, I have been given the opportunity to do solo shows at two galleries in 2025 and have said "not right now" to both. The time, expense and hassles even in a good year are usually a gamble compared to what the reward is. I'm going to wait it out and see how things go and keep my eye toward 2026.

With the new political regime and the potential U.S. economic upheaval that most experts are warning about (which would cut right into my particular market demographic), do you have plans to show and/or exhibit art in the coming year? Are you cutting back? Are you hopeful that things will continue on the same track? What are your plans?

I’ve just graduated from London biggest arts university (you know the one) with a MA in curation and I’m now looking for a position as an assistant curator or honestly anything vaguely adjacent. Any good tips, jobs boards, things that help you?

Can anyone explain why large sums are spent on some art. It’s not for the love of it obviously. How does it work? It makes the money invisible for tax purposes because the value is questionable? I hear money laundering a lot but how does that work when it’s not cash? This would require a co-conspiracy of sorts between collectors and obviously dealers understand this.

Update: Insider trading is the most concise response here. It’s been really educational hearing all the different perspectives. My art loving brain had a blind spot.

Update 2: Some posters say this is not the case and it is always a genuine love of art, it made me feel bad and also reconsider my perspective. Perhaps it is just very high end luxury goods that people desire. The more people that love and buy art the better.

Hello folks, I'm considering joining the artist network in the UK which offers indemnity insurance and the chance to network. But I'd be keen to hear from anybody who is a member about whether or not it's actually a useful organisation to join. Considering that many open calls and opportunities are now available via Instagram, is there a real benefit to join in such an organisation apart from the insurance?

They mention conferences for example, but I wonder if these are readily available as this is something I would be interested in. I wonder if there are other ways of accessing conferences in the UK for the arts?

Many thanks