This programme of curated presentations by Fine Artists and industry professionals examines and demystifies key areas outside of practice that artists need to consider to forge their careers. As well as providing these talks, Artquest provides everything a visual artist needs to know by encouraging critical engagement and providing practical support.

First steps after graduation

10am–11.15am

After the intense activity and buzz of your degree shows the period after can feel like a strange limbo or an abrupt stop. This period is actually vital in getting your practice going, so rather than packing your bags for a holiday, come find out what you can do to keep the momentum going and take the first steps to building your career.

Artists' promotional tool kit
11.30am–12.45pm

This session looks at what role promoting your work has on your wider career. Good promotion makes getting funding, commissions and exhibitions easier. This talk will identify these essential tools that artists need to succeed from artists’ statements and CVs to the importance of an online presence and more.

Understanding networks
1.45pm–12.45pm

The term networks and networking can be off-putting to many, but in the arts your relationships with your peers have more bearing on your career than in many other sectors. This talk dispels many of the myths around networking and will give a clear insight into the practical role that working relationships play in an artist’s career.

Showing your work
3pm–4pm

Exhibitions are highly prized opportunities for artists. But what role do exhibitions play in an artist’s career? How do you get an exhibition at a gallery and what can you do yourself to make an exhibition happen? This session considers these and more important questions.

Your rights as an artist
4.15pm–5.15pm

In pretty much any professional situation it’s vital for artists to understand their legal rights and what they need to do to protect themselves. This presentation will guide you through the key issues that you need to consider from contracts to copyright and your obligations when operating in the world as a professional arts practitioner.