Art Problems

When external pressures feel overwhelming and traditional solutions fall short, how do artists move forward? From The Whitney pausing its Independent Study Program to AI threatening brand partnerships, the challenges facing artists today often don't have clear fixes.  Art Coach Paddy Johnson explores why believing every threat is already reality can paralyze us, how social media platforms prioritize reach over genuine connection, and why the art world's scrappy resilience might be our greatest asset. Plus, an announcement about an upcoming series designed to bring hope and courage to the creative community.   RELEVANT LINKS: Whitney Museum Suspends Independent Study Program - Hyperallergic  Do Artists Need Galleries - artnet Art Market Minute podcast Trump Said He Fired the National Portrait Gallery Director. She’s Still There. - Bloomberg Netvvrk membership

At the end of 2024, artist Amy Kligman left her executive director role to create her own opportunities by identifying gaps in the Kansas City arts ecosystem. She launched Special Effects gallery to make local artists more nationally visible and the Salon for Possible Futures, an artwork that doubles as a community gathering space. We discuss how Amy navigates risk and uncertainty, measures success in experimental projects, and uses art to build empathy and human connection during politically volatile times.   RELEVANT LINKS:  Amy Kligman: https://www.amykligman.com/ Amy Kligman Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amykligman/ Special Effects Gallery: https://www.instagram.com/specialfxgallery The Salon for Possible Futures: https://www.nermanmuseum.org/exhibitions/2025-03-28-amy-kligman.html

In this second part of our two-part series on New York Art Fair Week, William Powhida and Paddy Johnson discuss the standout artworks from Independent, NADA, and Spring Break. Despite the thin crowds and economic challenges explored in Part 1, there were notable works worth celebrating. The conversation highlights vintage game boards at Independent, playful Nancy Drew-inspired paintings at Spring Break, and meticulously detailed highway landscapes at NADA. Most significantly, we explore how the most politically relevant work happened outside the fairs, with an extended conversation of Mitchell Chan's "Insert Coins" – a deceptively simple video game installation that reveals itself as a devastating commentary on capitalism, cryptocurrency, and rigged systems. This piece, along with Open Collective's Ukrainian war karaoke installation, connected to the anxieties of the real world, in a way that seemed largely absent from the commercial fair venues. Relevant Links: Artists & Galleries Mentioned: Lisa Sanditz at Alexandre Gallery Ricco Maresca Gallery (vintage game boards) Eleanor Aldrich at Field Projects Eve Sussman and Simon Lee William Pope.L at Mitchell-Innes & Nash Namwon Choi at Pentimenti Gallery Megan Dominescu at Anca Poterasu Gallery Mitchell Chan's "Insert Coins" at Nguyen Wahed Guy Richard Smith at A Hug From The Art World Duke Riley & Jean Shin at In Praise of Shadows Lucia Hierro at Swivel David Molesky (banana paintings) Sophia  Lapres at Towards Gallery Ernesto Solana at NADA guadalajara90210 Julia Garcia at Hair + Nails Lars Korff-Lofthus at Entree Gallery Bill Abdale Magda Sawon, Postmasters Venues: Independent Art Fair NADA Fair (at Star-Lehigh Building) Spring Break Art Show 601 Artist Space (Open Collective exhibition) American Folk Art Museum

Is New York Art Fair Week losing its momentum? This week, artist and critic William Powhida and I spent time at Independent, NADA, and Spring Break—and the energy felt deflated across all three. In this first part of our two-part series, we dig into what went wrong. Thin crowds. Dealers complaining about slow sales. International collectors staying away due to political uncertainty and travel concerns. The overall market recession. But is it just market fatigue, or something deeper? We explore whether New York has simply become too expensive for emerging galleries to self-subsidize, whether political anxiety is creating a chilling effect on both artists and collectors, and why even the best new venues (NADA's stunning Star-Lehigh building) couldn't energize the crowds. From The Shed's "art prison" atmosphere to Spring Break's maturation away from experimental energy, we examine whether these fairs are losing their essential character—or if broader economic and political forces are reshaping the entire ecosystem. Next week in Part 2: We'll walk through the specific artwork that caught our attention at each fair and discuss why we had to leave the fairs entirely to find art that truly captured this political moment.   Relevant Links: William Powhida: Jilian Steinhauer for the New York Times on Spring Break https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/08/arts/design/spring-break-art-fair-review.html# NADA Fair: https://newartdealers.org/ Independent Art Fair: https://independent-art.org/ Spring Break Art Show: https://springbreakartshow.com/

The Art Problems Podcast is back after a two-month hiatus — and I’m back announcing the biggest update in Netvvrk membership history. The economy’s rough. The art world’s uncertain. And I’m not pretending otherwise. But that does mean that focusing on your career now can give you a leg up.  This episode is about giving yourself that advantage by finding your place in the art world — and actually moving forward. Joint Netvvrk Here

One of the best ways to solve the problem of not enough shows is to self-organize. No one can launch a show without networking, so it forces network expansion, along with solving the lack of shows thing. For Transcultural Exchange Director and artist Mary Sherman this activity is as routine as breathing. She is the mastermind behind Avenues for Daring, the 2025 International Conference on Opportunities in the Arts iteration. And she's the guest on this week's podcast. Today, we walk through the origins of Transcultural Exchange and learn about the upcoming conference for artists, taking place March 7-9 at the Foundry Cambridge MA.   Relevant links: https://transculturalexchange.org/conference-2025/registration/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransCulturalExchange Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transculturalexchange/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/transcultural-exchange/  

In which I reveal plans for a game-changing curriculum built from hundreds of artist surveys and 20+ years of industry experience. Plus, get a must-listen podcast recommendation that perfectly captures the creative journey. When Art Problems returns, expect deeper dives into career-advancing strategies.

Doesn't it seem like everyone is talking about crappy things are lately? This starts with the state of politics and extends all the way through to culture. Is culture in stasis? And if not, why does it feel like it is to so many people? On this episode of Art Problems, the artist William Powhida and I discuss the following articles: “Why has culture come to a standstill,” Jason Farago, The New York times "The Painted Protest, How Politics Destroyed Contemporary Art", Dean Kissick, Harper's Magazine. “The One Word That Describes Art Now” Ben Davis and scholar Anna Kornbluh, Artnet's Art Angle Podcast You'll get more understanding of where culture is moving forward and where it isn't from this episode than any other podcast I've done. Consider this a must-listen.   Relevant links: “Why has culture come to a standstill,” Jason Farago, The New York times https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/10/magazine/stale-culture.html   "The Painted Protest, How Politics Destroyed Contemporary Art", Dean Kissick, Harper's Magazine https://harpers.org/archive/2024/12/the-painted-protest-dean-kissick-contemporary-art/   “The One Word That Describes Art Now” Ben Davis and scholar Anna Kornbluh, Artnet's Art Angle Podcast https://news.artnet.com/multimedia/the-one-word-that-explains-art-now-2524844   "Episode 70: Is there a Dead Body Trend in Art?" Paddy Johnson and William Powhida, Art Problems Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-70-is-there-a-dead-body-trend-in-art/id1646991472?i=1000669157335

In honor of Thanksgiving, I'm reflecting on the professionals I'm most thankful for—those supporting artists. The field is vast; honestly, this list of ten could easily be five times the size. But there's only so much space in one show! This episode is for you if you want to know who is doing good work and supporting your practice. A few quick and dirty links below PLUS don't forget to take advantage of our VantaBlack Friday deal before it slips away. You get $100 off the annual membership when you join before Monday December 2nd.   Relevant links: Hannah Cole, Sunlight Tax, Episode 5, Art Money and Fear, Episode 73, Post Hurricane Helene with Artist and Accountant Hannah Cole John Massier, Curator of Visual Arts, Hallwalls Contemporary Art Center Luke Blackadar, Lawyer at the Arts and Business Council , Episode 20, How Does the Supreme Court Warhol Foundation Ruling Affect Artists? Catherine Haggarty, NYC Crit Club's The Canopy Program, Episode 22, Demolishing the Day Job Stigma for Artists Casey Curry, Casey Can Help Ceri Hand, Coach for Visual Artists, Episode 63, Meet Ceri Hand Dexter Wimberly and Heather Bhandari Darcy, CreativeStudy, Episode 56, An Interview with Heather Bhandari Ron Passaro, Ron Passaro | Digital Agency - Web Design, Video, Audio, Podcasts Detour | Thomas Evans I am Detour – IamDetour

Every artist needs a visibility plan. But if you're anything like me, you may find following a plan INSANELY difficult. There are too many variables at play to stick to a plan. Well, when you establish your starting point, you can set goals, and creating a plan with the flexibility needed to achieve said goals becomes a lot easier. On today's podcast, I talk about the baseline metrics you need to determine so you can set realistic goals and timelines. I give you the outline of what we're doing inside Netvvrk so you can follow along even if you're not a member, but I also give you the code to join at the annual level during our Vantablack Friday sale and save $100, through Monday, December 2nd. You want access to our workbooks and yearly planning that can transform your career. Join Netvvrk and save $100 using the code VANTA24. 

What would launching an exhibition look like if you only had to focus on your art? That's the dream Tiger Strikes Asteroid makes possible. As founder Alex Paik explains in this episode of Art Problems, TSA handles everything from taxes to website maintenance across its five locations, allowing artists to concentrate solely on creating and exhibiting their work. In this episode, Paik explains how TSA's network of artist-run spaces creates alternatives to market-driven galleries, fosters authentic community across five cities, and helps artists build rich, fulfilling lives through meaningful connections and creative autonomy. Paik's plain-spoken wisdom about community and organizing provides a salve to an otherwise market-focused art industry. Plus, an important plug: TSA is currently fundraising to support its mission. You can help by purchasing their newly released artist-designed T-shirts and sweatshirts or becoming a monthly member through Patreon, starting at just $5.  https://www.tigerstrikesasteroid.com/

Well, this week sure sucked. If you're like me, you're probably having a tough time figuring out how to feel okay. Because you know, like me, that everything will not be okay. I want you to know this: you are not alone. On this episode of Art Problems I talk about how leaning into community can help you find the optimism you need to get through the next couple of years. Community can be your friends, your neighbors, a local knitting group, a group of artists you share advice with.

Ever wonder how to get your art into museum collections? Museum Exchange co-founder Michael Darling joins me to discuss how his company connects artwork with museums that want it. Museum Exchange functions like a matchmaking service - museums write proposals for artwork they want, and donors choose the best fit. It's working: small regional museums are building collections, challenging works are finding homes, and donors and institutions are getting what they need. Listen as Darling, and I get into the thick of it and learn more about a process that might work for you or someone you know!

Is any question more vexing to artists than, "What do you do?" No, because it's impossible to answer! This week on the podcast, I turned the tables and asked curator, consultant, and media personality Carrie Scott the same questions she asks artists in her interviews. What do you do? Who do you make work for? What made you decide to pursue a career in the arts? In asking these questions, our conversation touches on Seen, her newest membership for collectors and artists, whether you can feel art, and who gets to monopolize parenthood conversations in the art world.

Does advanced age feel more like a liability than a strength? Welcome to the art world, which can suuuuck for mid-career artists. Ageism in the art world is more than just a problem—it's a barrier that can feel insurmountable, especially for women artists over 60. (And yes, while it affects everyone, the impact on women is particularly harsh.) I'm not going to pretend ageism doesn't exist. I'm not going to pretend ageism doesn't exist. It does, and it will impact you. However, how you view your age will determine the extent of its effects on your career. YOU are not beholden to another person's preconceptions. Your age does not have to be a limitation. It is a strength waiting to be unleashed. I'm tackling the issue head-on this week on the Art Problems podcast by sharing seven game-changing tips that will help you: Reframe your mindset and embrace your ambition Master essential skills for today's art world Transform your studio practice to work with you, not against you Consider these tips a toolkit for visibility, success, and artistic fulfillment in your 60s and beyond. The best part? Many of these strategies are just as powerful for younger artists. It's never too early (or too late) to take control of your art career!