How To Start An Art Collective

One of the best things about working in the art world is the community. When artists of all kinds come together, they can create something bigger than each person could alone. Here are 5 tips to start an art collective from scratch:

How To Start Building An Arts Collective

Define your vision and goals

Before you start creating your collective, think about what you want to achieve. Consider these questions:

• What is the collective’s mission?
• Will it focus on specific themes or social issues?
• How will your collective contribute uniquely to the art world?

This will help you establish a solid foundation and attract like-minded creatives with the same goals. Potential members and sponsors will want to understand the collective’s purpose and direction.

Find people you want to work with

This can be one of the most challenging parts of putting together a collective. Artists can have big personalities and some don’t want to compromise on their own vision. You have to find people whose work you like and who you can work well with.

At the same time, you should find people with diverse skills, styles, and perspectives. You can find new members through social media, art exhibitions, workshops, and local art schools and studios.

Remember there is no hierarchy

This is another challenging part of being in a collective. What you don’t want is for a couple of your members dictating every project you all do together.

Make it clear from the beginning that decisions are collaborative, and every member has their say. Create a democratic approach that fosters a sense of ownership and commitment.

Find a space to work

Having a dedicated studio space where you can all actually come together is so important. Your space could be a rented studio, a community center room, or even an area in someone’s house. This all depends on your budget and needs of the group.

The space should both inspire creativity and be functional. As the collective grows, you might consider pop-up locations or temporary installations to showcase your work in a cost-effective way.

Develop a funding strategy

Every collective needs financial support to thrive. A solid funding strategy means you can support the collective’s projects and art events. Consider these possible funding avenues:

• grants
• crowdfunding
• donations
• sponsorships
• membership fees
• fundraising events
• selling merchandise

Follow the Michael Ferro Chicago blog for more creative tips for artists and art events in the Chicago area.