Art Pro Net Podcast

I see a lot of negativity and struggle for our community these days. What ingredient are we missing to help move things in a more positive and hopeful direction? One thing I have noticed is a significant lack of curiosity. People head toward careers in our field without an understanding of the realities. They struggle to advance once they have gotten a foot in the door. I think a lot of it has to do with a lack of curiosity in the overall organizational processes and a lack of investigation into all areas of what we do. Without searching, digging, and asking questions it is impossible to find your niche and contribute to the evolution of the industry. It takes finding your opinion, putting it on the line, and listening to those that disagree with you to make a meaningful difference. Get curious and find an intentional direction. What are you curious about? How can APN help you find out more about it?

With job searches picking up again, I am noticing some major issues coming up for art pros involved in all parts of this equation. Having been a seeker on both sides and a translator in the middle, I feel uniquely qualified to share some perspectives on where I think the negative feelings of mistrust and wrongdoing might come from. I also want to share my thoughts on what we need to do as a community, both aspiring and established, to build a better situation. If all of us own our choices, give each other the benefit of the doubt, and stay open to unusual possibilities we can rewrite how the playbook works. Understanding that the worst-case scenarios are not actually the norm, is the first step.

The holiday sale season is upon us, and this episode is all about the basics you need for an everyday tool kit. From tape measures to hardware kits, it is important to have tools and tricks for all kinds of scenarios. Also, being prepared not only makes your life easier but helps you make that solid, confidence-building first impression at a new gig. Whether it is a small pouch to keep in your bag or a rolling kit to have at the ready, I get into the basics, a few upgrades, and some things to avoid when prepping for that next job.

People are leaving their positions in a big way these days, and this episode is about how to make moving on a positive event. My tips on leaving your current gig with gratefulness and sincerity will help you maintain a positive reputation in our community. These sorts of decisions should be made with the long game in mind. If you plan your transition with intentionality and restraint, you will not only be successful in your interviews and job offers, you will also hold onto relationships and experiences that will help you build a career. I hope these tips help you land that next position that will continue to grow your role in our community and bring you bigger and better challenges.

One of the things I love about my work is being with the objects.  As collections managers, we build familiarity with our spaces that many people crave.  That being said, controlling access to storage is paramount to great collections management.  In this episode, I explored how access should be considered when running a storage space.  Unlike galleries, collections storage should be a highly controlled space where people are managed in very predictable processes.  Even though many professionals and researchers outside collections care desire to access objects and back-of-house spaces, it is not what they are trained to do.  Building expectations and processes for vetting requests can help you control everything from schedule management to staff burnout, to the safety of your objects.  It's important to remember that not everyone needs to visit secure spaces...even if they want to.  I hope this episode helps you write protocols that set realistic boundaries for your institution and priorities.

Framing is often considered an accessory or as an afterthought, and my institutions look at it as a temporary presentation method for objects.  The truth is, framing can be an important part of long-range collection and exhibition planning.  Using the right materials, and building an overall stock framing protocol can extend the value of the process.  It can save resources like time and money involved in everything from planning to installation.  It also can help with the future care of the work.  In this episode, I cover everything from glazing to climate cases and how your decisions now can build a strong reputation for your institution in the future.

Conservation is not a one size fits all practice and can be overwhelming for many smaller institutions to keep in mind when planning their exhibitions.  In this episode, I focus on some of the overarching and predictable elements of conservation that everyone can count on.  From understanding the materials you need to use to predicting all things that "touch" the art, a lot can be worked out in planning without bringing in a conservator.  While it is always a good idea to consult an expert on what you are planning, there are some things that you can rely on while budgeting and scheduling an installation.  I hope that this podcast can help you find the right frame of reference to keep your expectations in line with your capabilities.

Just look at the news today and you will see that people are leaving their jobs at unprecedented rates.  There are many reasons, but most stem from unfulfillment and burnout.  How can we work to retain our talent in the art pro world?  We can start by changing our mindset when it comes to staff appreciation and recognition.  Our staff members need to feel valued, supported, and trusted and this can only come with a consistent process of acknowledgment.  In this episode, I look at the three main levels of staff appreciation and how to utilize them in a way that builds loyalty and dedication.  In the new post-pandemic world, we need to focus more on building up people and helping them grow, and less on funding unsustainable models that grind them down and burn them out.  I hope my thoughts on this help you find a way to move forward with a fresh perspective and priorities.

There are so many parts to exhibition planning that sometimes it is easy to discount steps like graphics installation that seem routine.  In this episode, I go into everything from vinyl murals to silkscreening and give you tips and tricks to consider.  All processes have good sides and challenging sides to them, and picking the wrong one could cause unpredictable issues that will hurt your schedule and budget.  I help you think through everything from editing to installation.  The goal is to achieve a professional look and feel, and that is not something you have to spend a ton of money to find. Also, make sure and visit my home page at to sign up for my newsletter today.  It is totally free and full of resources to help you figure out all sorts of ways to manage your arts logistics needs.

One thing that has not stopped since quarantine...storage planning.  In this episode, I take a look at a process that can be challenging, exhausting, and rewarding.  These 5 tips and truths come up no matter what size storage space I am working on.  From home closets to massive offsite storage facilities, you can always depend on the fact that there will be many voices, many perspectives, and many different expectations.  I hope this episode helps you start your journey or possibly get perspective on one that is in process.  Just remember, it is a marathon and not a sprint.