Demystifying the Art World

Demystifying the Art World: Practical Knowledge & Skills for Early-Career Artists is an ongoing series, embedded in the course VPSC85H3: Essential Skills for Emerging Artists, that draws on the DMG's network to bring arts professionals in conversation with U of T Scarborough Studio Art students.

Session 1 focused on artist residencies – what they are and what opportunities and benefits they offer. Using the Robert McLaughlin Gallery’s Emerging Artist Residency program as a case study, RMG Associate Curator Hannah Keating provided an overview of artist residencies and walked students through the application process.

Session 2 invited CARFAC’s Flora Shum to provide an overview of CARFAC’s role within the art ecosystem, and how emerging artists might understand and navigate CARFAC rates. This session addressed how to self-advocate, and assign value to your time and labour as an emerging/early-career artist.

Hannah Keating is an Associate Curator at The Robert McLaughlin Gallery. Hannah curates exhibitions and public programs, and works with community partners. She holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Art History from Carleton University and has previously worked at Artspace, the Winnipeg Art Gallery, the University of Manitoba School of Art Gallery, and the Art Gallery of Peterborough. Hannah is curious about relationships of all kinds and passionate about supporting artists. She is a writer and deep thinker who believes in the power of art to forge connections, provoke conversation, and convey truths about the human condition.

Flora Shum is a Hong Kong born-Tkaronto/Toronto based artist, educator, and cultural worker. She co-directs Paperhouse Studio (c.2013), where she carries forward the vision for paper as a medium, and leads arts-based programming for underserved communities. She is one half of duo collective—AURA and is a member of Toronto Arts Council’s Creative Communities Committee. Her artistic practice is experimental and collaborative by nature, with roots in papermaking, printmaking, and book arts, extending to found objects, sculpture, and installation. She has exhibited locally and internationally, including Toronto (ON), Whistler (BC), New York (NY), and Hong Kong. She also has project management and facilitation experience of over 10 years, and has worked with many notable organizations such as Harbourfront Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto Public Library, Toronto Biennial of Art, Textile Museum, Central Technical School (Toronto, ON.), Peter Pitseolak School (Kinngait, NU.), Attagoyuk Ilisavik (Pangnirtung, NU.), and Mozilla Foundation with YWCA Toronto and Youth Empowering Parents.

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These session are offered as part of the ongoing series Demystifying the Art World: Practical Knowledge & Skills for Early-Career Artists.

Whether you’ve attended art school, pursued other forms of art education or are self-taught, there are foundational professional skills and practices that are rarely taught in formal environments. Artists often glean such knowledge through trial and error, having mentorship, or through information shared in their social and professional circles. This series, first launched in 2023 with a set of programs planned by curator and educator Su-Ying Lee, aims to make key information accessible and demystify how artists approach essential tasks. Participants will be familiarized with the practical knowledge needed to enhance and support their careers, through advice offered by a wide-range of experienced artists, curators, writers, and arts workers.