What Art School Didn’t Teach You

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What Art School Didn’t Teach You: How to Form Your Own LLC

June 17, 2013 in Business Planning, Kate Renee, What Art School Didn't Teach You | No comments

You would think that art school would have some business classes thrown in there to help teach artists how to manage their own business….yah because that’s what professional artists do, run businesses! Most of what I have learned and accomplished as a professional artists has come from research, asking questions and trying things out on my own. And what I have learned, is that art school does little to prepare students to walk out into the art world and live and work as a professional. Business skills are essential. The legalities of being an artists are your responsibility to know. I decided to form my own LLC or Limited Liability Company for my arts career.

There are a variety of reasons why you can start your own LLC. I started mine for legal protection. Having a company verses a sole proprietorship also adds a notion of business professionalism. You can do transactions through a business account when you own an LLC too. Here are the basic steps on how to build your own LLC business. All of these images come directly from the Minnesota Secretary of State website and demonstrate the visual steps for completing the LLC business set up process. The purpose of this post is to aid artists in forming their own LLC companies.

Step 1. Go to the MN Secretary of State Website

MN Secretary of State

If you Google search MN Secretary of State this is the first search result that pops up. You can click directly to “Starting a Business or Nonprofit.”

Step 2: This is the part that I got lost at and needed help. There is a full page of Steps and options to click on, all you need to do here is find Step 3 and click the link “Next Steps” to continue ahead.

Steps

Step 3: This is the next page that comes up. From here you want to click on the left hand bar where it says file online which is under the Business & Nonprofit tab.

Page after Next Steps

Step 4: Once you click on File Online, a new page will load. Scroll to the bottom half of the page to see this chart:

LLC Fees

Step 5: To file for a basic Domestic (within the USA) LLC for Minnesota, the cost is $155.00. The Limited Liability Company option I chose is highlighted in purple above on the chart. Click the option that you want to have for your business.

Step 6: Once you choose which LLC you want to have, you will be asked to answer two questions. The first question is if your LLC is a non-profit. A non-profit uses the funds they receive for the organizations mission and goals rather than for profit or income. If you are an arts gallery or an arts organization, you maybe a non-profit. If you an artist selling art work to make a profit and pay your business bills and to pay yourself, you are for profit.

Questions LLC

The second question is asking if your business needs to operate with personal whom are licensed. For example as listed above people in the accounting or medicine need licenses to practice as a professional under the Minnesota Status. For artists, this means you click no. Then click on “next” to continue the process.

Business Name

Step 7: Choose your LLC’s business name. There are some parameters to the name requirements as listed in the blue box above. The system will search your desired name and make sure there is not already an existing company with the same name. When it determines that your name is available, a button will pop up that says File For Limited Liability Company. Click that to continue to the application.

Step 8: At this point you will continue through the formal application. This process is easy. Most of the information provided is your name and address of your company.

Step 9: Near the end of the process of forming your LLC you will need to pay the fee. For the LLC domestic, it costs $155 and they allow you to pay this online. If there are any desired changes to your LLC company after you have filied, there are additional fees to change that information. You can also determine if you want your LLC certificate mailed to you which can take numerous weeks or if you want a digital certificate which is emailed to you directly once you have filed.

Step 10: Once you have completed filing your LLC you need to file a FEIN number and a MN State Tax ID number. Once you have those two additional pieces of information you are able to head to the bank to open your own business account.  I will blog about the FEIN Numbers and State Tax ID numbers in an additional blog post!

What Art School Didn’t Teach You: When a Project Goes Bad

April 23, 2012 in Kate Renee, Tips, What Art School Didn't Teach You | 2 comments

Artists love to work. We love creating art and we love being busy. But sometimes we catch ourselves in a project that suddenly was not what we thought it was! This posting is about that project that suddenly goes bad. While sometimes this is unavoidable, here are some of my insights and tips I can offer from being in this position a few times before.

Learning to say no seems easy, its a two letter word and its often the first defense in stopping these nightmare projects. But saying the words no is oftentimes a lot harder then it seems. Setting personal boundaries can be difficult especially when someone hears to your boundaries and requests but doesn’t listen or respect them. This is the not so fun part about being an artist and running your own sole proprietorship. You are the boss of your art business, so some days you have to put your foot down and say no. Emerging artists will have the hardest time with this. It is a skill that takes time and practice.

The best way to avoid monster nightmare projects is trying to communicate the scope of the project from the start. Sometimes the commissioner is unclear about what they want, or sometimes they expect a lot more than what you can offer them. I once had someone ask if I could make them a business card. They asked for something professional, whimsical, and similar to the business card I already had. But what she really wanted was for me to make a custom painting and stick the photograph of the work on a business card which would also be the logo to her business. So, this simple business card project became a lot larger than I could comfortably handle. I had agreed to a business card but I had not agreed to making paintings or licensing my designs for logo usage. A few weeks later, after I had procrastinated and avoided this project as much as possible, I decided to email my commissioner to say that this project was out of my scope of capabilities. I tried to ease this news by passing on an email address for a graphic and logo designer who would gladly take the project from me. My commissioner did not take this well and decided to try to guilt trip me into completing the project by offering more time, and money up front. Saying no also caused them to explain that they had connections to the art and graphics world and that with out their commission I would essentially not break into my career as a professional…and this was coming from a therapist!

Do not let people guilt trip you into agreeing into something that you said no to! This is bullying! Some people do not understand your personal boundaries even after you explain them, sometimes multiple times. During disagreements like this, maintain composure and professionalism. Repeat your boundaries and limits if they are not listening. Its is okay to be firm and explain your frustration when things are not going so smooth. Do not yell or become threatening. Expect them to be angry if you started but do not complete the project. However, offer what you can as far as resolving the issue whether or not this means changing the direction or scope of the project, or killing it all together. For example I offered finding a real graphic designer and passed on their contact info.

I’ve had another recent project where the scope of the project greatly exceeded the limits of what I could offer to do and make….and this commissioner wanted everything for free! After many negotiations and possibilities for small licensing fees to use the image in a fair manner, this project headed south fast! My commissioner though they were doing me a favor by offering PIE (or Payment In Exposure). Its fine do do a few PIE projects to get your career launched, but not when it strips you of all rights and ownership to your art. Never pass on your copyright or license to any art work or art image for free or with out an agreed upon contract. Always maintain control of your work and the use of your image. If you allow people to use your images and artwork, make sure they know what the can and cannot use the image for. I was willing to offer use of my image for free to a certain extent, but my commissioner did not agree with the limitations I had set. This project quickly ended.

Protect yourself before hand by creating contracts. Having your project in writing is crucial even when working with close colleagues, friends, other artists, or other people you may or may not know. If you present someone with a contract and they do not agree to your terms, amend it until you agree, or kill the project before it becomes a monster. A contract will allow you to maintain rights to your work and outline the terms, agreements and responsibilities required on both parties involved.

When a project heads south fast, having a contract with a kill Fee can save your bum! Kill fees are often stated in contracts to provide you (the artist) with compensation for the time and money spent on a project when you or the commissioner decide to end the project. For artists who rely on projects and commissions for income, this is a must. Usually, the kill fee is a percentage of the actual cost of the project initially agreed upon before the start of the project. It can be as little as 30-50% or be the entire cost of the project. Be upfront with your contract and kill fee before you and your commissioner sign a contract and start a project.

Every artist will experience a a project similar to one of the ones I mentioned above at some point in their career. While they may not be completely avoidable, know what your boundaries are ahead of time, pre-write basic contracts and project terms, and practice saying no. I read somewhere that you should practice saying no at least once per day. It can be simple as saying no to a small request, deciding to not check your email for a day to take some personal time, or passing along a commission to someone else who would better align to the project. Saying no is not always negative. Saying to no to one option means you are saying yes to another opportunity. Focus on what you are gaining by saying no to certain projects, focuses and decisions.

 

 

What Art School Didn’t Teach You: It’s Okay to Take a Break

February 7, 2012 in Kate Renee, Time Management, Tips, What Art School Didn't Teach You | No comments

Creativity is a cycle. It is okay to feel burnt out, to suddenly feel like you don’t want to make art or that your creative juices have run out. Its a natural part about being an artist. Transitioning from college into a part or full time arts career is oftentimes a more difficult transition than many think. In addition to being under educated by the collegiate system for working and practicing as a professional, school is just plain draining. While a large number of student artists will continue on their art practice, some may fall off the radar due to creativity burnout. Without the coping mechanisms to deal with a creative setback, getting back on the horse looks more like trying to wrangle a wild stallion.

When some people feel burnt out, they take a few days, a few weeks, a few months or even a year or two off from working. Decide for yourself how long of a break you need but also consider why you need a break. Did you just
finish a large commission, project, or body of work? Did you just finish an exhibition or graduate from school? Give yourself a time frame. If you need a month off, take that month. After that month, check in with yourself. Do you need more time, why or why not?

Talk to other artists! We’ve all been in this position! I recently came back from a 6 week residency. I’ve posted many blogs about the experience itself, tips for artists interested in residencies and all of the projects I completed while I was there. I updated all things art business, created the Bad Fortune Cookie installation, and began my new line of shoe design. I also managed to create somewhere around 50 paintings. Upon returning, I was a bit burnt out.

Instead of not doing anything, I focused on sending out gallery proposals and grants. When I’m feeling less creative, I tend to focus on the business aspects of art. Simple breaks could be leaving the studio to go for a walk, taking a weekend off and heading up north, or simply switching the creative medias you work in. Try taking a class in a new art form you are interested in taking. Sometimes change is all we need for recharging the batteries rather than actual time off. If your considering a residency, going on a residency will provide time and space to think about your art path, get into the groove of a new project or finish up a work you have toyed with for a while. Becoming more active in the arts community will provide you with a plethora of artists, opportunities, non-profits and galleries to get to know. When you feel less creative, meet people, attend openings and events, and see whats happening nearby. You just might get inspired or meet someone to collaborate with.

Feeling like you need an artistic life overhaul? Read The Artist Way by Julia Cameron. I also recommend borrowing, Reflections On The Artist’s Way on audio tape from your local library. Download it into your itunes or music system so you have a copy to listen to during future creative lulls. Cameron’s methods for finding your spiritual path to creativity is reflective and requires writing daily. I suggest working with the daily journals.

Looking for a bit more? How about a career coach? Spirit Out! Inc. http://spiritout.com. Amy Egenberger is a local artist coach located in St. Paul. She offers career guidance, resources, coaching and advice, and classes. One of her classes even teaches Julia Cameron’s The Artist Way.

What Art School Didn’t Teach You: Don’t Quit Your Day Job

January 16, 2012 in Accomplishing goals, Jewelry, Kate Renee, Time Management, Tips, What Art School Didn't Teach You | No comments

For most creatives, a day job can sometimes be comparable to ripping a band aid off slowly. Especially when it’s something that utilizes your left brain, which leaves your right brain screaming bloody murder to do something remotely creative. I have experienced this with multiple jobs. Sitting there doing some time consuming, mentally un-stimulating task for hours as you day dream about the art project that’s sitting at home waiting for you to work on it.

What art school failed to teach me was how to lead a creative life in a world of left brainers. Navigating that world is a skill which you can learn, much like time management and organizing is a skill. Failing to find a balance between that 9-5 job and your creative life will leave you frustrated and fed up. Although getting up and walking out of the office of said job may be what you want to do, learning to work with your job rather than against your job is was what art school needs to start teaching their students.

As a working professional artist, this is a skill I have been working on teaching myself and other artists through my Solo Exhibitions Program at Altered Esthetics. Its true, in this day in age, you cannot make it on your own in the art world without a stable financial backbone. For many of the generation X and Y kids, financial stability will be hard to come by with out a day job. While there are artist who live solely on their art income, young emerging artists and those fresh out of school need to know that a day job is a must. Relying on your art for your income purposes takes preparation, knowledge of running your own business, and a solid financial background to support you while your launch your artistic practice.

The structured studio classes we took in college gave us the perspective that we needed to make art in these large chunks of time. Oftentimes, the thought of creating or beginning a project gets pushed aside because we think we need more time to work on it. I love going into my studio for a good solid 8 hour day, but I only get 2 days off during the work week and I still need to find away to run all my errands and get my laundry done too! If I can squeeze in an hour or two in before or after work I am definitely in there and working. Using small chunks for time, lunch breaks or taking admin or sketchbook work with you can help scratch your creative itch while you toggle through the left brain domain.

So here’s some quick tips on how I manage to work the 9-5 grind while maintaining my sanity, I’ve learned how to focus on my art career as my primary occupation. When people ask what I do, I say I am an artist, rather than a customer service representative, retail manager, data entry personal, etc. I also talk about my art career at the day job, to let them know that I have other focuses outside work. I share my passion and the current projects I am working on.

Yes, I have gone through stacks of Post It notes doodling, and glued together broke jewelry to make repurposed accessories. I also bring art related work to do during my lunch break, whether that means working on contracts, reading how-to books, or scheduling in studio time into my day planner. I have also decorated my cubicle crazy to feel expressive and have worn some unique pairs of shoes. If you interested in trying to find this balance as well, I first began with reading a book called Artist in the Office by Summer Price.

It teaches creative individuals how to change their perspective on their role as a 9-5 worker bee and how to add a bit more creativity into your work life. Makes things seem a bit more bearable I would also recommend My So Called Freelance Life and The Anti 9-to-5 Guide by Michelle Goodman. While Goodman’s books are more geared towards creative people transitioning into a full time freelance position, I found them extremely helpful to creatives who are looking to take their creative hobby a bit more serious.

So yes, day jobs can be extremely lame. But here are a few good things about them:

1. They get you out of the studio so you don’t become a studio vampire…or zombie.

2. You get some social interaction

3. They turn off your right brain for a bit. Sometimes you need a break so you don’t burn out, or some room when a piece isn’t going the way your want it too. Taking some time to walk away from projects can help solve creative problems.

4. They pay for your art supplies, materials, equipment, exhibition fees, workshops, and studio rent. Drawing pencils and paint aren’t cheap!

5. They help you keep financially stable when commissions or other freelance work is on the low. If you’re interested in becoming more financially dependent on your art income, begin by clearing your debts, and investing more of your paychecks into savings. When you take the leap into freelancing, have about 6 months of livable income saved up as an emergency fund.

Tips for finding a job that’s conducive to a creative life? Avoid offices and data entry positions. I didn’t last long so I wouldn’t recommend it either. Search non-profit websites or art job listings.

Here are a few locations where I like to search for arts related positions:

MN Council of Non-Profits:

http://www.minnesotanonprofits.org/jobs

MNartists:

http://www.mnartists.org/resourceList.do?action=list&rid=224&pid=219

Walker Art Center:

http://www.walkerart.org/jobs

Springboard for the Arts:

http://www.springboardforthearts.org/resources-and-referrals/jobs-and-internships/

Mpls Institute of Art:

http://www.artsmia.org/index.php?section_id=48

NYFA:

http://www.nyfa.org/opportunities.asp?type=Job&id=94&fid=1&sid=54

Or if leaving your job is not an option, find new ways to be creative at your old job. Take a look at the awesome necklace I created while on the clock, I repaired jewelry at my current day job and used the remaining pieces destined for the trash into new pieces of jewelry.

After this creative spurt on the job, I have since then bought jewelry, broke it and now I am assembling my own line of collaged jewelry.

Here are some other ways to be creative on the job:

1. Read books or materials on art or your favorite artist.

2. Draw during lunch and breaks.

3. Decorate your work area in a creative manner so you will feel inspired and creative as you work in your space.

4. Dress in your favorite outfit or wear your art. Do you make jewelry? Promote yourself by wearing it. And for the 2D artists, why not make graphic t-shirts?

5. Carry your business cards with you. You never know when someone might take interest into your art.

6. Go on a walk and take some photos.

7. Blog.

8. Bring a fun mug or a fancy tea cup to drink your coffee with. Head over to Paint Your Plate to paint your own ceramics.

9. Do your art research or write press releases.

10. Bring a fun lunch. Spend some time making themed or festive desserts or lunches. Share them with your coworkers….ok maybe just the coworkers you like!

11. Listen to book tapes. Nothing like getting through a book in a couple of hours. If you are allowed to listen to music or have headphones on, listen to audio tapes with materials that will help you in the studio. Tapes on organizing, time management, or biographies on artists are good places to start.

12. Grant write. This was one of my lunch time projects. During my data entry job, I brought my Artist Initiative Grant to work with me.

What Art School Didn’t Teach You: How to Cope with Bad Press

December 26, 2011 in Kate Renee, Press and Promotions, Recipes, Tips, What Art School Didn't Teach You | No comments

Like most artists, obscurity is more of a battle than anything, but what happens when the article that finally features you as an artist trashes your work and damages your creative passion?

This advice is coming from an artist who has experienced bad press….want to read my bad press? Check it out here

Mary Abbe stated that the show, Minnesota State Fair Fine Arts Competition 2011, was overrun with cute art, lacked talent, was an embarrassment, and indirectly stated that my art was bad. “Perhaps that sweetie merited its “honorable mention” as a satire on fair art, but cute jokes about silly art still occupy space that could have been taken by good art. Ditto for Kate Renee Johnson’s big pink hippo sticking out its turquoise tongue.”

First I would like to say, Mary Abbe its not a turquoise tongue, it’s blue. Second of all, I could list off numerous reasons why I am a great and professional artist, post my resume and refer to awards and accomplishments. But that’s not necessary. Making art for me is what makes me happy. I don’t have to convince any one that, including Marry Abbe. Third, I have come to believe that the majority of art critics and journalists are themselves blocked creatives, who are

so critical of creative art work that they fear of creating bad art themselves. Thus, never understanding the joy us artists feel when we express our creativity. While my perspective my not be true in all cases, it’s still my opinion.

What do you do when you get bad press?

Celebrate!

You were published. And clearly if your art was mentioned, it was memorable and worth talking about. Most people resist change, including new ideas and new art styles, so don’t worry about a article resisting your insightful contemporary or new age work, its probably the next best thing! Don’t worry about trying to be the next famous artist, or creating work that other people approve of. Trying to be hip gets your lost in the crowd. It’s true, any press is good press. When I read my bad press, I celebrated with a margarita. Now I don’t usually encourage mixing my creative work with alcohol, but bad press is my exception! Here is a wonderful recipe thanks to my mom I like to call the Bad Press Margarita.

 

The Bad Press Margarita

1 can frozen Limeade

Pour into blender and use the empty Limeade can as your measuring cup to add:

2/3 can Tequila

1/2 can Triple Sec

Fill the blender with ice and blend

Add one bottle of beer and stir with spoon, do not blend

Serve and enjoy!