3 Tips for Struggling Artists in a Pandemic
It’s a difficult time to be an artist right now. The coronavirus pandemic has left creatives of all types struggling to get by. Galleries, theatres, museums, and other public forums are all closed, and people are much more cautious about how they spend their money. Those with unstable incomes and uncertain futures are unlikely to splash out on a piece of art for their home.
Artists, as a result, are floundering in the water, struggling to find places to promote or sell their art. If you are in this boat, you may be wondering whether it is worth the trouble. But there are ways for artists to minimize the fallout from the pandemic, boost their income, and increase their chances for success. Whether you’re a painter, a writer, a musician, or a standup comedian, your artistic talents do not need to waste. Here are three tips for struggling artists to get through the pandemic in one piece.
Keep creating
The most important thing to remember is that the pandemic will end. Life will not be this way forever, so you should not see your current circumstances as a permanent state of affairs. Therefore, do not give up. Keep creating art whatever happens, even if you have to find another job to keep the money coming in. The dire state of the world might provide just the inspiration you need to create beautiful, meaningful art that resonates with people.
Strengthen your online presence
Even though you can’t display your work to vast crowds in a public forum, that doesn’t mean you can’t still get your name out there. People are spending more and more time on the internet right now, so you have the opportunity to get more eyes on your work. If you are not big online, perhaps now is the time to dip your toes in. Create social media accounts on all of the big platforms and find ways to use Zoom to engage with your fans and followers. It may not be your ideal way of working, but it will help you stay active and spread your work to the world.
Adapt
If you aren’t making much money from your art right now, you could consider finding new ways to sell your work. Sites like Patreon allow creators to connect with patrons, giving members of the public to receive exclusive content in exchange for a monthly donation. You can set up rewards for donors that increase as the donations get bigger. There are also sites like pastel.network that allows artists to publish limited edition digital art. This is no time to rigid and steadfast in your ways; artists must adapt to the changing cultural landscape.
In conclusion, although it is challenging for creatives, there is no need to be disheartened. It will take a lot more hard work and patience to find success in the midst of a pandemic, but if you follow the above tips and stay committed, you will increase your chances.
