Deepa Panchamia, a textile artist and designer spoke about her experiences since graduating 5 years ago - what she had to be aware of straight away and how she researched everything - how to take advantage of free opportunities, getting associated with other organisations for support and funding, working part time, and marketing yourself and networking at all times.

2. LIVING AND WORKING AS A DESIGNER-MAKER | ARTIST
Product development | Artist Development
Publicity – press releases
Marketing Material – portfolio, postcards, business cards
Finance – funding opportunities, grants, sponsorship
Creative memberships – provides business support, networking opportunities
Extra training and qualifications – look out for affordable short courses
Exhibitions and places to showcase your work – galleries, trade shows, shops
Ways to sell your work – shops, galleries, commissions, working with interior design companies
Networking – Private Views and exhibitions openings, visiting galleries and shops
Research suppliers – sourcing new materials
Research designers you aspire to be like – how they started out, where they exhibit, how they sell work
Work Placements – gain experience, see how other designer-makers work
Part-time work – in a related field to gain a secure income and experience

3. 2005: ALTERNATIVE FASHION WEEK
Researching creative opportunities
Artist Newsletter www.a-n.co.uk
Crafts Council www.craftscouncil.org.uk/opportunities
Artquest www.artquest.org.uk
Creative Memberships Organisations
Hidden Art www.hiddenart.com
Design Nation www.designnation.co.uk
New designers online www.newdesignersonline.co.uk
Contemporary Applied Arts www.caa.org.uk
Business Support and Funding Opportunities
Arts Council England www.artscouncil.org.uk
Princes Trust www.princes-trust.org.uk
British Council www.britishcouncil.org.uk
Crafts Council www.craftscouncil.org.uk
Crafts Central www.craftscentral.org.uk
Design Trust www.thedesigntrust.co.uk
Learning and Skills Council www.lsc.gov.uk
Business Link www.businesslink.gov.uk
Portobello Business Centre www.pbc.co.uk
Own-it www.own-it.org
Your Local Authority / Council
Resources
London Metropolitan Works www.metropolitanworks.org
London Printworks Trust www.londonprintworks.com

4. 2005: WINDOW PANEL COMMISSION
Things to consider when pricing your artwork
Material Costs
All expenses involved in making the artwork
Also include the costs of hiring equipment
Artist Fee
Calculate the time it takes you to design and make
the piece – give yourself an hourly or daily fee
Prices set by your peers
Compare your pricing to the pricing of your fellow
artists - what are the price ranges for their artwork
Current Market
Finally research the current market and decide
where your artwork / product fits in

5. 2006: LONDON DESIGN FESTIVAL
Funded by the Arts Council England
Writing funding applications
Engaging the Public
How will your activity will benefit the public
How will the public interact with your activity
Will it have short-term or long-term effect on the public
Finance:
You are required to fund at least 10% of your activity
Income from your activity
Funding from other organisations or local authority
Grants from Trusts or Foundations
Contribution from yourself
Support in Kind Contributions:
Contribution of help to your activity other than cash
Mentoring and business support
Free use of exhibition space and facilities
Use of goods and services for free
Free Marketing and promotion of your event

6. 2007: 100% DESIGN, LONDON
Exhibiting on the Hidden Art Stand
Exhibition Research:
Visit the gallery / trade show before you apply to
exhibit. This will give you an idea of whether the show
is appropriate for your work, the level of artists
participating and the standard of work they expect.
Exhibition Applications:
Invest time into professional photography. When
applying for exhibitions it is paramount that your
portfolio is to the highest standard. Work with fellow
photography students / graduates to gain initial
professional photos of your work.
At the exhibition
This is a great way to gain exposure - be friendly and
network. Don’t have preconceptions about the people
you meet, as anyone could be a potential buyer,
gallery owner, or someone who intends to give you a
commission. Remember to exchange contact details
and follow-up with a phone call or email afterwards.
Group Exhibitions
Exhibitions can be expensive, especially Trade
Shows, so it’s worth working with other artists for a
group show. It’s a great way to share resources, save
on costs and take advantage of each others contacts
and networks!

7. 2007: EXHIBITION & RESIDENCY, FINLAND
Funded by the Arts Council, England
Working internationally
There are many opportunities for an artist to work
abroad – exhibitions, residencies, commissions.
This is a great way to experience a new culture,
environment and be inspired to create new work.
The British Council are keen to support UK culture
abroad and can sometimes provide funding for your
international project. www.britishcouncil.org
Visit the Artquest or Artist Newsletter websites for
a list of international opportunities