ArtSpan Artist Workshops

Make your Art your Business

ArtSpan produces monthly workshops and discussions to aid artists with the professional side of their art practice. Topics include marketing and PR best practices, insightful suggestions on how to approach galleries, titling and pricing your artwork, writing your artist statement, social networking, setting up your space for SF Open Studios, among others. Please e-mail info@artspan.org with suggestions for new topics that you are interest in learning more about!

All events are held at SOMArts Cultural Center, 934 Brannan Street, as part of their Affordable Space Program, which provides below-market rental space, production and publicity assitance to arts and cultural organizations. Free for all current SF Open Studios Artists, ArtSpan Members, and Friends of SOMArts. General Public: $10 suggested donation; no one turned away for lack of funds.

2012 Workshops

Computer Skills for Non-Techie Artists

With Michael Nassif of Kanvases.com, Tuesday, May 22, 6:00-7:30pm
Learn how to register for SF Open Studios. RSVP online shortly.

Presenting Yourself as a Professional Artist

With Aletta de Wal, Masters in Education, Artist Advisor, Art Marketing Strategist at Artist Career Training, Tuesday, April 24, 6:00-7:30pm
Developing effective presentation tools that support your engagement with potential clients will greatly increase your ability to maximize business opportunities. Refine and practice these tips and tools that take advantage of your natural charm and encourage people to stay connected to you and your art. View the video recap!

Pricing and Inventory

With Alfonso Cosio and Monique Delaunay of Cosio Delaunay
Tuesday, March 27, 6:00-7:30pm
Artists should master the essential skills of pricing artwork and maintaining an efficient inventory system to succeed within the business of art. View the video recap!

Social Media 101 for Artists

With Jess Young, Director of Communications & Community Engagement from SOMArts Cultural Center, Tuesday, February 28, 6:00-7:30pm
Engage your audience and promote your events online. Build and engage your social media following. Learn tips, tricks and best practices to help you establish relationships with new fans and collectors. The presentation will focus on Facebook, with brief forays into other social media platforms. Attend Social Media 101 for Artists to find out how to expand your online presence and leverage social media to promote your artwork. View the video recap!

Visual Time Management for Visual Artists

With Aletta de Wal, Masters in Education, Artist Advisor, Art Marketing Strategist at Artist Career Training, Tuesday, January 24, 6:00-7:30pm
You can't manage time, but you can manage your choices, your projects, and your productivity. Instead of racing the clock, choose to harness time and get more of what you want in your life as an artist. Learn practical skills and techniques to eliminate time wasters; become clear on your goals; organize to get things done; use visual tools and systems to keep track of it all. View the video recap!

2011 Workshops

Social Media 101 for Artists

With Jess Young, Director of Communications & Community Engagement for SOMArts Cultural Center, Wednesday, September 21, 5:30-7:00pm
Learn how to build and engage your social media following and establish relationships with new fans and collectors. The presentation will focus on Facebook, with brief forays into Twitter, Tumblr and VYou. Attend Social Media 101 for Artists to find out how to expand your online presence and leverage social media to promote your work as part of SF Open Studios 2011.

Preparing for SF Open Studios

With Dimitri Kourounoitis, Liz Mamorsky, and  Trish Tunney, Wednesday, August 31, 5:30-7:00pm
SF Open Studios can be your biggest opportunity to engage with the public, gain new supporters, and sell your work. Make the most of your open studio event with tips and tools from seasoned professionals.

Download these handouts from veteran SF Open Studios artists to learn how to throw your own successful SF Open Studios event:

• SF Open Studios Guidelines from Liz Mamorsky.


• SF Open Studios PR Tips from Trish Tunney.


• Tools to Close an Art Sale from Dimitri Kournouniotis.


• Learn How to Photograph Your Artwork from Trish Tunney.

Title This - Choosing the Best Titles for Your Work

With Alfonso Cosio and Monique Delaunay from Cosio Delaunay Art Consulting, Wednesday, April 20, 5:30-7:00pm
Titles work cooperatively with art, often directing the audience's gaze more than the work's composition and color. Discover how to use titles to productively engage your collectors.

Crafting Your Message - Successfully Market Your Art by Telling Your Story

With Genevieve Robertson, co-founder of Lightbox SF, Wednesday, March 16, 5:30-7:00pm
You are what makes your art unique. Finding your story and telling it not only makes you more memorable, it makes art patrons want to share in it. Learn how to tell your story and use it to market your artwork.

**Please be advised that the details and description of each workshop is subject to revision. Downloadable documents are the intellectual property of the authors.