Recommended Art Career and Art Business Books

How to Survive & Prosper as an Artist
Selling Yourself without Selling Your Soul
How to Survive and Prosper as an artist book coverby Caroll Michels. New York: Henry Holt & Company, revised 2001
This updated and revised classic handbook puts to rest the popular myth of the starving artist. Michels shows those who would like to make a living from their art work how to navigate the often bewildering corridors of power that lead to success in the art world.
Publisher's price $18.00
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Art and Fear
Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking
Art and Fear book coverby David Bayles and Ted Orland. Santa Barbara, CA: Capra Press, 1994.
Explores the way art gets made, the reasons it often doesn't get made, and the nature of the difficulties that cause so many artists to give up along the way.
Publisher's price $12.95
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The Artist-Gallery Partnership
A Practical Guide to Consigning Art
The Artist-Gallery Partnership book coverby Tad Crawford and Susan Mello. New York: Allworth Press, revised 2008.
Provides guidelines for sound business negotiations and resolving disputes. Includes a chapter on consignment legislation, and the texts of the art consignment laws enacted in more than 31 states.
Publisher's price $19.95
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The Artist's Complete Health and Safety Guide
The Artist's Complete Health and Safety Guide book coverby Monona Rossol. New York: Allworth Press, revised 2001.
Everthing you need to know about art materials to make your workplace safe and comply with the United States and Canadian right-to-know laws.
Publisher's price $24.95
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Artist Communities
A Directory of Residencies in the United States that Offer Time and Space For Creativity
Artist Communities book coverThe Alliance of Artists Communities. New York: Allworth Press, revised 2005.
Provides an in-depth profile of more than 95 artists' communities, with more than 350 programs for visual and performing artists, composers, and writers.
Publisher's price $24.95
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Business and Legal Forms for Fine Artists
Business and Legal Forms for Fine Artists book coverby Tad Crawford. New York: Allworth Press, revised 2005.
Contains 17 ready-to-use forms with detailed instructions, including artist-gallery agreements, and contracts for sales, commissions, and limited editions. The new edition includes a CD-ROM with the various forms.
Publisher's price $24.95
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Corporate Art Consulting
Corporate Art Consulting book coverby Susan Abbott. New York: Allworth Press, revised 1999.
Although directed at art consultants and gallery owners, artists will find much of the advice helpful, such as how to generate leads and reach decision makers in the corporate art field.
Publisher's price $34.95
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Licensing Art 101 Just Listed!
Licensing Art 101
by Michael Woodward. Artnetwork, revised 2007
Guides readers step-by-step through the licensing and publishing industry. Contains ideas and practical examples of how to increase income through licensing reproduction rights to manufacturers and publishers of greeting cards, posters, calendars, and more. Learn about: negotiating fees, exhibiting in trade shows, protecting your rights, and more.
Publisher's price $19.95
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Legal Guide for the Visual Artist
Legal Guide for the Visual Artist book coverby Tad Crawford. New York: Allworth Press, revised 1999.
Covers copyright, contracts, sales, taxation, estate planning, and many other legal issues of importance to artists and their work. The new edition includes a discussion of new media and electronic rights.
Publisher's price $19.95
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Licensing Art & Design
Licensing Art and Design book coverby Caryn R. Leland. New York: Allworth Press, revised 1995.
Contains advice on how to license creative images with information on protecting ideas using copyrights, patents, and trademarks; maximizing royalties; finding manufacturers and distributors; and licensing in cyberspace. Includes a model licensing agreement.
Publisher's price $16.95
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Licensing Photography
Licensing Photography Book Coverby Richard Weisgrau and Victor S. Perlman. New York: Allworth Press, 2006.
Written by a photographer and intellectual property attorney. Provides advice on writing licensing agreements, prices the value of licenses, and how to successfully negotiate fees.
Publisher's price $19.95
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Guide to Getting Arts GrantsJust Listed!
Guide to Getting Arts Grants book coverby Ellen Liberatori. New York: Allworth Press, 2006.
Provides artists (and arts groups) with information on facts and skills needed for grants applications in the arts, including formulating budgets, mastering the intricacies of the application process, online resources and application opportunities, insights into understanding the selection and review process, and more.
Publisher's price $19.95
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The Artist’s Guide to Public Art: How to Find and Win CommissionsJust Listed!
Public Art - Commissions Book Coverby Lynn Basa. New York: Allworth Press, 2008
Provides guidance on how to start and build a career in public art. Includes information on finding, applying for, competing for, and win a public art commission.
Publisher's price $19.95
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