The Fastest Growing Community of Artists Online; providing you with the resources and support to thrive.

Protect your Business

Members of the VAA receive FREE Public + Products Liability Insurance (£5 Million). This means our members feel protected with quality artist insurance.

Professional Support

Answering the age-old question, ‘how to sell art’. Our artists have the opportunity to connect with industry professionals, galleries, and publishers.

A Library of Knowledge

Our artists reach new levels with our frequently updating range of resources, training programs, and webinars. Join today for the chance to transform your career.

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Pavlina Vagioni

July 3, 2024.

I started my mentoring with Karen Van Hoey Smith with a six month programme and kept renewing my sessions for over a year now. Karen's outside-the-box thinking has given me some fantastic ideas for my art career. She’s helped me develop a solid strategy and laid out a clear step-by-step process to reach my goals. Her support has been both inspiring and incredibly helpful.

Carlo Savo

July 3, 2024.

If you are considering the Mentorship Program and wondering if it is worth the investment, I can emphatically say that it is. The VAA Mentorship Program has given me the tools I needed to move my art career forward. With the help of this program, I have had as many shows in the first quarter of this year as I had in the entire previous year. With a better understanding of how to plan and execute my goals, I have, for the first time, booked my entire year with shows and other opportunities. This program is well worth the time and investment, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to take the next step in their career.

Jane Wilson

July 3, 2024.

Karen's super quick brain and creativity thought of avenues and solutions that I hadn't considered. The whole programme, portfolio review/momentum and now mentoring has turned the business side of things up a notch. I feel empowered and more confident knowing that I have the resources of the VAA behind me and I'm excited for the next 12 months. Watch this space!

Yang Xu

July 3, 2024.

Karen's mentorship has been instrumental in sharpening my skills and deepening my understanding of the art world. Her tailored advice, rooted in extensive experience, has not only enhanced my technical abilities but also my confidence as an artist. I am particularly appreciative of the personal attention she dedicated to addressing my unique challenges and goals. Investing in this programme has been a transformative experience, the reward I received was beyond expectations and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone serious about advancing their art career.

Mel Wyatt

July 3, 2024.

Did the programme meet your expectations?

More than met! Great amount of information and expertise shared by Karen in a fun way. I have a lot to work on! The supporting documents and guides plus the group who joined made this an amazing course.

What would you like to have more of?

Momentum 1 year on course?? I cant think of anything the course could cover more on in the time, it was thorough and overwhelming with information, in a good way!

How likely are you to recommend the VAA to others?

Already have! Really enjoying being a member of VAA, the team of expertise, the support, the courses, the guides and looking forward to the mentoring programme.

Juli Fejer

July 3, 2024.

I really enjoyed the portfolio review. It gave me a useful external perspective on my work. It was a lively broad-ranging discussion. I took a lot of notes but I haven't had time to work through them yet. I enjoy being part of the VAA, the online meetings are useful and interesting, the insurance is very good, and the helpdesk is outstanding.

Karen Holt

July 3, 2024.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the course and would recommend any artist to sell their work. It's been the best short course I have been on. Many of the skills I have learnt are transferable to other areas of my business. Thank you to all the team for me.

Anetta Price

July 3, 2024.

The course got me thinking about how I can help a potential buyer/customer to see the painting in their own home/office etc. and is making me feel more comfortable about the idea of 'selling', which in the past, has left me feeling like I would rather hide under the nearest table than try to sell something. These were such helpful areas to learn about. Clarifying your own discount terms is very useful, but learning how to re-frame objections and turn them into positives, how awesome. I'm looking forward to trying it out. And of course, learning how to counteroffer and close (and shut up) was just as helpful. Karen is so enthusiastic, just listening to her makes me want to go out and sell something!

Carol Burns

July 3, 2024.

Would I recommend this course to others? Absolutely. I think joining the VAA is one of the best things I have done for my business and I recommend it and the courses you run all the time!

Sumali Piyatissa

July 3, 2024.

I took your advice and increased a few of my pieces above $3000 and I sold one within two days to a collector in Germany. Thank you so much!! I’m so overjoyed.

Ursula Starr

July 3, 2024.

I took your advice and already it's paid off ! I couldn't wait to tell you, I sent a gallery a direct message ... they soon after liked three of my images on Instagram. Thank you.

Samantha Clarke

July 3, 2024.

The most helpful aspect of being part of the VAA has been the practical advice, the resources on the website, and the connection with others that it offers. It feels very supportive, like someone’s got your back!

Susie Hall

July 3, 2024.

Knowing that the VAA team is there to offer valuable advice and support to artists, who can often feel as though they’re treading a lonely path, is fantastic! To have the VAA walking that path alongside me is so reassuring. They genuinely care and actively help, wanting artists to be successful and they work hard to make that happen. They’re very friendly, professional and easy to talk to. It’s a brilliant organisation!

Iain Perry

July 3, 2024.

I have found the networking aspects and the advice given from such a wide range of artists to be invaluable. Considering I do acrylic paintings, or watercolours on occasion, the advice I find from sculpturists or mixed media users, like people I never would have thought to ask for help, is so good and does help me feel passionate about what I do and enjoy it more and more.

Alan Yaffe

July 3, 2024.

I joined the VAA as I exhibited last year at CAF, and needed insurance ... since then the support I’ve had, the mentoring, the art cafes, the webinars and the networking have been invaluable for the fee charged. My main contact is Shirley-Ann O’Neil. Not only is she unbelievably supportive to me as an individual Artist, but is also offering huge support for a week long exhibition in London next June that I’m organising with two other abstract artists who are also VAA members.

Freya Rider

July 3, 2024.

Just want to say a big thank you for the 1:1! It’s exactly what I needed. I feel like I have some real direction now and clear, practical things to work on. Really appreciate it.

Simon Dredge

July 3, 2024.

It was a friend of mine who recommended you. He’s an abstract artist like myself. He said he finds your help and working with him on a one to one basis invaluable for selling and guidance and support.

Michele Noble

July 3, 2024.

Just a huge thank you for organising the zoom talk with Rosalind Davis. It was very helpful and I could listen to her for hours. She is inspiring and talks with us not down to us! It seems to me that this is one of the best things to come out of the pandemic. It has opened the door to a treasury of information and a means of introduction to wonderful artists, curators and mentors are never so directly available before. Artists working in isolation - not anymore. A lifelong means of learning absolutely. I also want to say thank you for showing my work in the VAA International Online Exhibition 2021. It is such a privilege to be part of it and I appreciate all the hard work that goes on behind the scene.

Momentum: Artist Growth Programme

Applications close MIDNIGHT July 15th.

VAA Momentum is an accelerator course for artists to gain the skills necessary to develop a profitable artist business and sell more art.

Apply Now

GROW YOUR BUSINESS

Discover a variety of benefits with your membership to the Visual Artists Association.

Artist Insurance

A membership with the VAA provides you with up to £5m Products and Public Liability Insurance.

Artist Directory

Access to our constantly updating directory. Providing you with professional connections.

Opportunities

The VAA keeps it’s members up to date with monthly opportunities to network and grow your business.

Awards & Prizes

We run frequent Calls-For-Art, Artist Scholarships, and Artist Awards

Resources

The VAA Vault is made up of Articles, Guides, and Templates, keeping you knowledgable.

Events

Establish your place in the art world.

Step into Summer

Events to help any artist to make more sales this Spring.

Find Out More

VAA Courses

Momentum: Artist Growth Programme

VAA Momentum is an accelerator course for artists to gain the skills necessary to develop a profitable artist business and sell more art.

This short course will help you get clear on what your future as an artist looks like, so you can discover your style and work that excites you. Create multiple streams of income in your art business, whilst launching art or collections with confidence to result in sales.

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Art Sales Academy

Are you an artist looking to elevate your understanding of face-to-face direct art sales at exhibitions?

Join us for an immersive and practical short course designed to equip you with the essential skills and strategies for selling art effectively.

The Visual Arts Association proudly presents the Art Sales Academy, a four-week programme that will empower you with the knowledge and tactics used by leading galleries and experts in the art sales industry.

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Art Curation & Exhibition Management

Learning the art of ‘curating’ and exhibition management is a central skill for artists, gallerists, museum/fair directors, and educators.

Explore the intricacies of curatorial practices and gain insights into effective exhibition management strategies. Dive into the world of art curation and unleash your creative potential.

Art Curation & Exhibition Management will shed light and demystify ‘curation techniques’ with a systematic approach to creating and managing art exhibitions and installations.

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The next book from the authors of Good Art Does Not Sell Itself.

Embark on a transformative journey through the intricate world of art representation with the invaluable wisdom offered by Shirley-Ann O’Neill and Laura O’Hare in this comprehensive guide. Navigating the art world is often an enigmatic and uncertain endeavour for any artist, but take heart, for this book is a beacon of knowledge and empowerment, meticulously crafted to aid you in securing the representation you truly deserve.

“This book is an absolute game-changer! As an artist, I’ve always struggled with finding the right representation, but this guide has completely transformed my approach. A must-read for anyone serious about their art career.” Amy Waters, Artist

“Finally, a resource that demystifies the world of galleries and agents. This book is both informative and empowering, offering practical advice that every artist can benefit from. Highly recommended!” Mark Jones, Artist

“Useful strategies for artists of all levels. A comprehensive book for artists looking to secure representation. Lots of tips to get started and succeed.” Anna Phillips, Gallery Director

Order Paperback