BUSINESS
Art AS A BUSINESS cont .
JOSEPH BLACK OF RIVER GARAGE STUDIOS , RIVER // www . josephblackart . com
What sparked the initial idea for your business ?
As an artist I find it fascinating to study the work of other artists and to see how they have overcome obstacles and expressed ideas in their work . I had worked as a curator in London and studied art history before I moved back down to Kent to open a new studio . I was lucky in finding River Garage Studios , a place which had the ability to be converted both into a studio and gallery space , and I had spoken with a few arts organisations in the area such as Dover Arts Development , who were really pushing for a stronger and more supported art community . So , I took the opportunity to convert the space I had into a gallery / arts space which would help to facilitate better artistic engagement in the area . It ’ s been very successful and well received . It gives me the ability to experiment with curatorial practice and engaging with other artists , and it gives them the opportunity to have their work seen and the ability to make work which they otherwise may not have been able to .
What was the first step you took in getting off the ground ?
The first step was getting in contact with other like-minded people in the area and listening to what they needed and would benefit most from . The artistic community is very strong here and I ’ ve come into it right at a time when it ’ s really developing very fast . A number of arts projects here have been granted a lot of funding and it shows that there is both the desire from the public and the desire from artists to get involved .
What ’ s been the toughest challenge you ’ ve faced so far and how have you overcome it ?
The space is still in its infancy , so I ’ m sure we ’ ll face many difficulties and challenges over the next few years . The biggest challenge for arts businesses is always funding and maintaining financial stability . Therefore it ’ s easier to have as few fixed costs as possible and work from project to project .
What ’ s been your biggest achievement to date ?
River Garage Studios has only been operating now for six months , but in that time we have held two curated group exhibitions and two solo presentations . I think the most rewarding achievement for me is seeing how enthusiastic and inspired artists have become by the opportunities offered by the space . We have had more ideas for exhibitions and projects than we could ever fit in , but it shows to me just how much a space like this can offer artists and how creating and inventive they can be when presented with an opportunity . I hope that alone will show to others just how strong and independent the creativity of artists in communities can be .
In your opinion , what separates a product that will be a success from one that won ’ t ?
Good marketing .
If you had one piece of advice for anyone thinking of launching their own art business , what would that be ?
It ’ s a simple answer , it has to be something which you really enjoy doing . It ’ s not an easy profession to work in but if your enjoyment and love of art is strong enough then you ’ ll be able to get through . The people who have launched and maintained their own art businesses are always the ones who would do it above everything else .
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