Artist Vocabulary

Whether you’re just starting out or getting back into the art world, there may be vocabulary that is confusing. Here are some common phrases/words you may see when interacting with venues and what they usually (but not always) mean:

ARTIST STATEMENT VS. ARTIST BIO:

An artist statement explains the ideas, themes, and creative process behind an artist's work, providing insight into the artist’s intentions and helping viewers, curators, and collectors understand the artwork’s context. An artist bio offers a brief overview of the artist’s background, highlighting their education, career achievements, and professional history.

EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTATION (or EXCLUSIVITY)

If a gallery has exclusivity over your work, the artist usually can't sell or show their work elsewhere without the gallery’s approval. Often galleries will have specific parameters about this so ask them what they are. Benefits: The gallery promotes and sells the artist's work, often offering solo shows and marketing.

Drawbacks: The artist is limited from working with other galleries or selling independently in certain areas.

ART WALK:

Many Seattle neighborhoods do monthly “art walks” where businesses (both

art-based and not) participate in opening their businesses either after hours or on the weekend to have people check out new artists. This is a great, low-stakes way of putting your art out there. Art walk participants will be noted in the descriptions of the venues, along with a list of art walks on page 14-15.

EMERGING ARTIST VS. NEW ARTIST:

An emerging artist is focused on building a professional career in art. They are in the early stages of gaining visibility, creating a portfolio, and actively pursuing opportunities like gallery exhibitions and critical feedback to establish a reputation and grow within the art world. In contrast, a new artist lean towards the beginning stages of exploring their creative life and may not yet be focused on professional opportunities. (There’s a quiz on page 12 to see where you might fall on this spectrum!)

GROUP SHOW:

A group show is an art exhibition featuring works by multiple artists at the same time, usually centered around a theme, concept, or artistic style. It allows a range of artists to showcase their work together, offering visitors a diverse experience and creates dialogue between different perspectives and styles within the same space. Group Shows are often announced during open calls at venues, or a group of artists can form their own.

FINE ART:

Fine art is a broad categorization of creative works made primarily for beauty, expression, or ideas, rather than practical use (like pottery or furniture). It may traditionally included paintings, sculpture, and drawings, but many people feel it should also cover photography, digital art, and installations. Fine art focuses on aesthetic quality and is often displayed in galleries or museums.

CO-OP VS. COLLECTIVE

An artist co-op is a member-run organization focused on shared resources, like materials or exhibition spaces, with roles, membership fees, and democratic decision-making. A collective is often a more informal, collaborative group driven by a shared creative vision, usually operating without strict structure. (HOWEVER: sometimes these words are used interchangeably so ask questions!)

MID CAREER ARTIST VS. ESTABLISHED ARTIST

A mid-career artist is someone who has been actively creating and exhibiting work for several years, with a solid record of exhibitions, some critical recognition, and developing sales, but is still building their reputation and reach. In contrast, an established artist has reached the height of their career, with widespread recognition, a fully-developed artistic voice, frequent exhibitions in galleries or museums, higher market demand, and a significant presence in collections or cultural discourse. The distinction often lies in the depth of their artistic achievements, influence in the art market, and institutional recognition.

PROPOSAL:

In art, a proposal is a plan submitted by an artist to a gallery, organization, or funding body to outline their project or exhibition idea. It typically includes a description of the concept, materials, intended artwork, supporting images, and a timeline. The art may already be created, in progress, or still in the planning stages.

OPEN CALLS:

Some venues have an “open call” for artists to submit work within a certain time frame. They may have themes or other requirements, but when there’s an open call, they are actively seeking new work from artists. Note that many art-focused venues do this and may not accept unsolicited work outside of open call dates/requirements.

HOBBY ARTIST:

A hobby artist is someone who creates art mostly for personal enjoyment rather than for professional purposes. They may share their work with loved ones but typically don’t pursue sales, exhibitions, or formal recognition. This is a loose definition - as artists exist on a spectrum. People may use the phrase “hobby artist” interchangeably with “new artist” as neither have established themselves in the art industry.