In this episode, Paddy gives you the skinny on the Guggenheim Fellowship, one of the most prestigious awards for mid-career artists. The talk contains tips and strategies you won't find on their website, including knowing when to apply and how often. You won't find this information anywhere else, so have a listen. Even if you're not planning to apply, this episode will give you strategies for ALL grant applications. Relevant links: https://www.gf.org/...
Jun 27, 2025•12 min•Ep. 96
Artist Natalia Nakazawa believes this moment of extreme uncertainty is actually "artist time"—when we need to step up as visionaries and fill the voids that traditional systems are leaving behind. This is the second interview in my series on how to find hope through artistic practice. Natalia has built multiple collectives and focuses on long-term sustainability over quick wins. We discuss making culture essential infrastructure and why artists need to connect beyond their silos. This is about t...
Jun 20, 2025•39 min•Ep. 95
After feeling demoralized by Trump’s election, artist Julie Peppito researched how to resist authoritarianism and merged her studio practice with street activism—what she calls "artivism." Peppito, who is leading Saturday's No King's protest in NYC, believes artists are uniquely positioned to break through disinformation as messengers and visual communicators. We discuss her four-part formula for building hope: community, social proof, joy, and collaboration, plus practical advice on organizing ...
Jun 13, 2025•44 min•Ep. 94
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 as...
Jun 06, 2025•8 min•Ep. 93
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 vo...
May 30, 2025•40 min•Ep. 92
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 ...
May 21, 2025•40 min•Ep. 91
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 w...
May 16, 2025•33 min•Ep. 90
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
Apr 28, 2025•14 min•Ep. 89
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 ...
Jan 30, 2025•32 min•Ep. 88
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.
Jan 10, 2025•40 min•Ep. 87
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 Magaz...
Dec 06, 2024•50 min•Ep. 86
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 ...
Nov 29, 2024•13 min•Ep. 85
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 i...
Nov 26, 2024•13 min•Ep. 84
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...
Nov 15, 2024•38 min•Ep. 83
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....
Nov 08, 2024•12 min•Ep. 82
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 i...
Nov 01, 2024•32 min•Ep. 81
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,...
Oct 28, 2024•50 min•Ep. 80
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 ...
Oct 18, 2024•19 min•Ep. 79
The problem most artists don't know they have with A.I.? They aren't using it enough. If you don't use it, you won't know all it can do to help you. But you also won't be aware of its limitations. In this podcast, I walk you through exactly how AI can help you save time in the studio, and when you need to switch out the AI for an expert. Here's the spoiler alert on what AI can and can't do: It's great for agendas and basic writing and editing. I use it almost every day and it helps me enormously...
Oct 10, 2024•14 min•Ep. 78
You wouldn't think a town in the mountains would be devastated by a hurricane. That's what happens to cities on the coastlines. But we live in a world undeniably affected by climate change, so all bets are off. Today on the Art Problems podcast I speak with Hannah Cole an Artist and Accountant based in Asheville, an artist-friendly city heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene. She shares how the hurricane has affected her and her family over the last several days, which includes losing her life's w...
Oct 04, 2024•39 min•Ep. 77
There was a time when I couldn't imagine even asking this question. Of course, you need a gallery. How else will you sell your work to collectors? But now, in the age of Instagram, substack, and websites, maybe it's not as urgent a need. You can connect with buyers on your own. Even galleries don't always think they need galleries. Many have closed and become advisory firms. Many have become advisory firms and then returned to the brick-and-mortar space! In this episode of Art Problems, I talk a...
Sep 27, 2024•12 min•Ep. 76
Is it possible to leave your family for a couple of months to make art on a residency and not feel guilty for doing it? For many of us, probably not, which is why on this podcast, I speak with artist Danielle Mysliwiec about why her experience at Surf Point, The Tides Institute, and Long Meadow Art Residency is worth any guilt incurred in the process. Put yourself and your career first whenever possible. In this podcast, we talk about residencies, networking, feminism, and even the new Miranda J...
Sep 20, 2024•49 min•Ep. 75
What's with the dead bodies? Yes, that's an actual question from the New York fairs. This week on the podcast, I invited the artist William Powhida on to the show ostensibly to discuss what we saw last week. The discussion, though, ended up going far deeper. On the podcast, we talk about: What we want from art in an increasingly tumultuous world What landscapes, florals, and a dead body trend at the fair say about the world. The shifting landscape of art, which includes many new faces and names ...
Sep 11, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 74
Raise your hand if you feel guilty taking time off. 🙋♀️ You are not alone, I promise you. This is a challenge I struggle with as well, so if you've said you struggle to maintain a life-work balance this podcast is for you. Today, I'm here to walk you through what causes guilt around taking vacations and some of the mindshifts involved in giving yourself the space to take a break—what that meant for me, and what it might mean for you.
Aug 05, 2024•14 min•Ep. 73
Is there a scenario in which giving your work away for free is preferable to storing it? For more than 80 artists, the answer to this question is called the Zero Art Fair. (In other words, if the storage fees become too high, then yes, free is better than the trash.) The fair, which took place last weekend at Upstate Art Weekend, helped artists place more than 200 works and close to half a million dollars in art. Today on the Art Problems Podcast I talk to the artists behind the fair, Jennifer D...
Jul 25, 2024•39 min•Ep. 72
I'd like to introduce you to artist John Sproul. Over the last three years, his career has completely transformed. John is a Netvvrk member, and like so many of us, he's putting the work in. But is he doing anything different than you? In this episode of Art Problems, John talks about his path; exactly what he did, how he did it, and how Netvvrk helped. Every artist path to success will be different, but I love this conversation with John because he shows just how much is possible when you dive ...
Jul 19, 2024•21 min•Ep. 71
The Guggenheim Fellowship application goes live mid-August, Have you been wondering whether you should apply for a Guggenheim fellowship? Let me help you answer that question. In this episode of the Art Problems Podcast, I discuss the biases of the grant, what you need to make a competitive application, and give you tips on how to avoid getting bogged down by anxiety. If you've so much as had a passing thought about the award, this podcast is the one to listen to. And if you like it, be sure to ...
Jul 12, 2024•13 min•Ep. 70
How selfish can you be without turning into a jerk no one wants to be around? And is being a jerk an acceptable price if the result is getting what you want? I like to think the answer to that question is no, but I dive into this topic on today's episode of Art Problems because we all know artists who aren't all that generous but have a good deal of success. And it's at least worth exploring why we have to deal with so many means yet successful people in our lives! Relevant links: Does it take a...
Jul 05, 2024•15 min•Ep. 69
What will happen to your art when you die? Have you made plans? Do you feel too nervous about the thought to even make plans? The problem with this is that if you want your art cared for after your death, you have put plans in place within your lifetime. That's why I decided to speak with estate planning legacy experts Ursula Davila-Villa and Anna Stothart of Davila-Villa & Stothart. During this conversation, we talk about who we preserve culture for and why, some of the nuts and bolts aroun...
Jun 26, 2024•55 min•Ep. 68
Have you ever talked to someone and instantly recognized that person as your friend and colleague? Meet Ceri Hand, a registered coach for artists, and instant friend and colleague! She's based in London. Worked at the highest levels of the art world. And knows from experience exactly what artists need to do to move their careers forward. In this interview we talk about: How to gain visibility if you live in a remote area How to prepare for studio visits. Why editing your work is one of the most ...
Jun 20, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 67
