We have a few new features on BeYourArt.com. These two features really expand the potential of the site and we look forward to community collaboration.

Listings

This is broken up into five categories. General Listings, which does what it says in being the catch all. Workshops and Studio Space listings will helps artists learn and find housing. We also have a free Marketplace for artists to sell stuff much like Craigslist.

Lastly, is a fun new idea entitled the Exchange, which will allow artists to off their artistic services in exchange for other artistic services (since we lack money why not revert to the old barter system). Prime example is the potter can give a few of his prize clay pots away to a photographer who will exchange take pictures of all of her art to post online. There is great potential with this method of interaction.

Questions & Answers

There is also a new section, which will allow artists to post questions and the community then can answer to the best of their knowledge. We really like this idea in that it cuts to the core of community collaboration.

Other Updates

We did a bit of refinement to the navigation and the home page. If you have anymore suggestions please let us know.

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This Artcast episode of “Art Interruptions” hosted by Judah Mahay and John Sleek deals with big question like the term artist and much more. Don’t forget to submit questions for John and Judah to discuss.

Please leave your questions and comments below.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 19:14 — 22.0MB)

The Life of the Intern

Co-Published: BeYourArt.com and The North Shoreian Magazine, Volume 2, Issue 8, Practicalities of the Surviving Artist, The Harvest Issue. Article written by Don Rebar.

Intern.  The word alone strikes fear into the hearts of many—from the most seasoned professional to the hungry high school student wishing to gain experience.  Nightmarish legends of supervisors that transform budding young professionals into ditch diggers, or of slacker interns whose apathy will be the downfall of society are commonplace.  No matter how many of these horror stories are tall tales in actuality, the basic principle behind them remains: at the end of the internship, one party’s experience with the other was poor.  Sometimes, no matter how hard the intern works or how generous the supervisor is, this outcome is inevitable.  Even in these cases, there are a few fundamental rules to help maximize a marginalized experience. Read more…

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This Artcast by Judah Mahay and John Sleek focuses on the article “How to Use the Internet to Promote Yourself as an Artist” by Christine Stoddard. A great article and a fun Artcast. Check it out and leave your comments below.

Also, you can send suggestions for other articles you want to be added to Art Notes by emailing artnotes@beyourart.com. Though most articles will be from BeYourArt.com we are more than willing to consider articles elsewhere.

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Excerpt from the Article:

The “starving artist” cliché exists for a reason: no matter what kind of artist you are—actor, writer, painter, singer, photographer, dancer, etc.—earning a living is a struggle. Regardless of your talent and experience, which school you attended, or where you took an apprenticeship or internship, you will have to market yourself in order to sell your art. In fact, self-promotion is perhaps the most important way to turn your artistic passion into a full-fledged career…(read more)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 17:23 — 19.9MB)