Art Problems: Am I Too Old to Fit In?

"Take whatever positive platitude you want about aging, and it applies here. All that said, building a career in the arts gets harder as you get older, doesn't it? Learning new technology doesn't come easy, and when you're older, small tech mishaps on social media can make it seem like you're out of touch. When you're young, those same mistakes often read as deliberate choices. Thank you, cultural bias!"

"The good news: Openings aren't the only way to make connections. If you live in a major city center, seeing art in the afternoon makes networking really easy. Dealers and curators often have more time to talk when they aren't hosting major events. If you view art during the afternoon, then you can go to fewer openings. It doesn't mean you should omit them, but you can choose to go far less frequently."

"Some artists make it part of their charm. I once tried to contact Fran Lebowitz for an engagement, and her agent told me she didn't use email or own a cell phone. All that did for me was reinforce her personality as someone who lives life as she sees fit. But Lebowitz already had a loyal following built long before Instant Messaging existed. You're building yours now, at an age when you have less energy for the opening circuit than you did in your 20s."

Age does not inherently prevent a successful art career, but building a network and opportunities becomes harder later in life. Learning new technology can be more difficult, and minor social-media mistakes by older artists may register as being out of touch due to cultural bias. Some older artists maintain distinctive personas by avoiding technology, but many lack preexisting audiences. Networking strategies beyond openings include visiting galleries in the afternoon when dealers and curators have time, attending smaller events like artist talks and panels, and bringing a friend to make connecting easier. Energy limitations make selective attendance a practical approach.

Read at Hyperallergic