Visual Artists' Career Development In Washington Metropolitan Area

Through surveys with 130 visual artists and in-depth interviews with nineteen mid-career and established artists, this paper aims to provide readers a genuine picture of current employment and career developments of American visual artists in cities with mid-size art markets, such as Washington DC Metropolitan Area. This research emphasizes the importance of artists' connections with arts colleges, galleries, local arts organizations, museums and collectors, and examines roles of foundations, corporations, art fairs and online-publications in artists' career development. It discusses and answers the questions: How do working and established artists get themselves connected in art community? What are the sustainable ways to keep art practice and advance a career as a visual artist.