Steve Taylor’s business basics session was super important and eye opening for me. He introduced us to business terminology that is often heard but not understood and it felt like the most real world knowledge imparted onto us within three years. He told us how to set ourselves up as a small business as an artist is seen as a sole trader; what tax refunds are and what can be deducted such as travel, equipment, money spent researching even bills on the place you work; as well as financial planning and projections to grow and develop as an artist. I found it very difficult and unnatural to think of myself as a business.
We looked at several different artists and examples of their different revenue streams and the necessity to be multi-disciplinary to be able to survive and sustain an artistic practice. We identified a web of cross promotion, transferable skills and multiple markets. I feel like I need to work on this as I tend to get stuck in my lane and like only identifying with one thing at a time. However I would love to have the opportunities to perform as well as exhibit installations as well as compose as well as working on films as well as running events or labels to name a few. I doubt I can be organised enough for this though.
He even suggested that when starting out working part time may be necessary which is not new to me with experience in hospitality. I particularly like working in pubs so may aim to find pubs that also run gigs and events which would be killing two birds with one stone.