Online initiative is helping visual artists prepare for and navigate the emerging new art ecosystem

In a time of uncertainty and isolation for visual artists, a new online project is offering them the opportunity to prepare for life post COVID-19 and navigate the emerging new art world.
We, The Muse is a new initiative that is being embraced by visual artists and supported by mentors such as Dr Helen Pynor, Matthew Burrows MBE and Sharon Louden. It is a membership platform that is providing visual artists with much needed skills and support.
Its founder, also an artist and curator, Sascha Gianella said, “This initiative started at the beginning of COVID and continued throughout the subsequent lockdowns, the resulting closure of artist galleries, their exhibitions, the cancellation of their residencies, the closure of their workplaces, their studios, the changes to their jobs and their revenues.. not to mention the effect on their mental health whilst juggling life at home”.

“We warmly welcome visual artists into our platform. And when any of our artists reach out, we support them.”
Sharon Louden explained why she is a supporter of this platform and is a mentor, “One of the reasons why I want to work with this, to collaborate, is you it is one of the few who is moving artists forward… I love that we’re all working toward a more equitable, contemporary, generous, inclusive and important community that is influential and integrated in the greater society! ”
We, the Muse focuses on providing help with organisational skills, advocacy and communication skills, marketing, production, and contractual skills. “Skills that we believe are essential to the success of a 21st century artist,” she adds, “Skills not taught in the most expensive college courses the world over leaving graduates ill equipped to pay back their student loans or build their careers.”

The membership delivers a curriculum over six months and concentrates on professional skills that artists need. There are monthly masterclasses with highly established and well-respected professionals in the art world. Previous mentors have included Helen Pynor, Jean Shin, and Sharon Louden. All classes are recorded. Also, there are templates, guides, contracts, letter scripts and much more available inside the membership.

Sascha explains this further, “By professional practice I mean all that is “art business” from contracts to pricing artwork, writing artist statements, documentation, artist business and career planning, negotiations with clients, collectors, curators, institutions, opportunities within our industry, marketing, sales, building networks and audience development. And especially the artist mindset. Together with the other artists on the platform, we cover the lot.”

Members are from all over the world and so are the mentors. Places like the US, UK, Ireland, Australia to name a few.

Matthew Burrows explained why he is involved, “It is a privilege to contribute to We The Muse which is proving to be an important forum and resource for artists Internationally. Networks of support are essential to our wellbeing as individuals and as a creative community. We are all better off when we share.”

We, The Muse is founded on #fairpay and #fairplay for artists. Sascha added, “The traditional art world model is not inclusive. 1% of artists make a serious – very serious income, and many galleries do not make a revenue at all. Many artists depend on funding and welfare just to be able have a practice.”
The membership costs 35 euro/$42/£31/35CHF per month and doors open only twice a year. Places can be reserved now. Enrolment will start on March 27, 2021 and the membership programme will start on April 15, 2021.
This is the link to join: https://www.wethemuse.art/membership