Do you worry that you need a specific degree or credential to do what you want to do? I’m going to help bust that myth in this post!
Recently I asked a friend of mine, who is a director at a museum, to co-write a book with me to teach artists the strategies needed to successfully exhibit their works at museums.
My friend has held director positions in museums for fifteen years. He holds a B.S. in Business and has traveled the world learning art techniques from other cultures.
There was only one reason I wanted his help; it’s because he knows everything about getting your art in a museum. He’s an absolute expert on the topic. He’s the first person I called when I needed advice on my husband Drew’s museum retrospective in 2018.
But, when I asked him to share his expertise for the book, you won’t believe what he told me!
He said “I’m not qualified to do that. I don’t have the right credentials.”
What?!
“But,” I argued, “you don’t need a specific degree to write a book! All you need is the information that people are looking for. And you have that!”
And that’s when it hit me. The erroneous belief that you need “credentials” for creative endeavors is what STOPS many of us from sharing our gifts with the world.
We feel that if we don’t have the right credential on a piece of paper, an approval from a higher source, that our contributions are not valuable.
Many artists will tell me they worry that their art won’t be taken seriously if they don’t have an MFA or if a gallery doesn’t choose their work.
Yes, there is great value in what you learn when studying for a degree. And yes, having a degree will open doors for you in places where a degree is required. And yes, there are jobs that require specific degrees.
BUT, in the realm of producing art, writing and music, if you are creating work that other people love, you don’t need a degree to share it with others. If you have expertise in an area, you don’t need a degree to teach it to others.
When you look at the artists that are most successful, only a tiny percentage actually have an MFA and most are not represented by a gallery. My husband Drew is living proof of this. He has been a full-time professional artist his entire life, supporting a family of four in a Southern California beach town, without a degree or gallery representation. His art also supports my salary and the income of our small support team members.
Having credentials, while impressive, does not determine the worth of your work or your expertise. It’s the work that you do that matters.
When buying art, or books, or any other item, most people don’t care about your credentials. Most people only care about the substance of what you are offering them.
Will it help them, will it make theirs lives better, will it be a contribution to them in some way?
That’s the only credential you need; the ability to give someone what they want, need or love.
And that brings me to the topic on my mind today: taking matters into your own hands when it comes to curating your own art exhibit.
Many artists worry that they will never get a gallery to exhibit their work.
Well, the good news is, you don’t need a gallery!
In my next post I’m going to share with you a few ideas on how to curate your own art exhibit, without the blessing of galleries, grants or gatekeepers.
What are my credentials? I have two decades of experience curating very successful, profitable art exhibits! I’m going to share some of that expertise with you.
If you have an interest in curating your own art exhibit, I have a free e-series sharing my secrets to making more art sales through live events. Please CLICK HERE for it!
And please, LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW and let me know what your biggest concern is when it comes to curating your own art exhibit.
Are you worried about finding a venue? Do you worry that no gallery will show your work? Do you have trouble creating enough pieces to make a complete exhibit? Afraid no-one will show up?!
Please share in the comments below – I read every single comment and would love to hear from you!
Maria xxoo
PS: Photo Credit: Scott Smallin of South Carolina, taken in Myrtle Beach SC.
