Artist Development Sessions
Book Your Session Today
Success is not an activity, but a process
As a premium member of the Visual Artists Association, you benefit from access to our monthly Artist Development Sessions – a core member benefit designed to support you with the strategic, professional and practical development of your artistic career.
These are facilitated group meetings that take place via Zoom with one of our expert mentors. Members consistently describe these sessions as “priceless” for the clarity, accountability and professional insight they provide. Alongside expert guidance, you will also have the opportunity to connect with peers.
About Our Artist Development Sessions
Sessions run once a month, either as a morning session starting at 9.30am or as an evening session starting at 6pm (UK Time). All dates for 2026 are now available to book, so we recommend securing your place in advance as these get booked up quickly.
When booking, please include in the comments:
- The two main challenges you are currently facing as an artist
- Any relevant contact information
If none of the available dates are suitable for you, if you have any question or would like to find out more about VAA Membership, please email hello@visual-artists.org and we will be happy to assist.
Book Your Session
Please note that sessions held at 9.30am will be with Amy Jobes, and all sessions held at 6pm will be with Richard Kalman
Meet the Mentors
Amy Jobes
Amy is a contemporary landscape painter based in North Devon, whose work is inspired by the dramatic coastline, expansive skies, and natural environments of the region. Her practice explores connection, presence, and the emotional and psychological responses we experience through nature, and her paintings are created intuitively with strong emotional depth.
Alongside her own practice, Amy is one of the artist mentors at the Visual Artists Association and has co-led the VAA Momentum course, supporting artists in building sustainable and confident careers. Her areas of expertise include Getting Gallery Ready, Limited Edition Prints, Branding, E-marketing, Websites, Partnerships and Charities, Artist Collectives, and Artist Residencies.
Richard Kalman
Richard is the owner and founder of the Crane Kalman Brighton gallery. With a family background in the art world and in modern British painting in particular, he opened his gallery in Brighton in 2005 specialising in contemporary photography.
The gallery has established a strong reputation for showcasing emerging British and international artists, and has held exhibitions with artists such as Polly Borland, Simon Roberts, Jane Hilton, Tim Flach, the late Michael Ormerod, as well as Terry Richardson, Joseph Szabo, Karine Laval and Hans van der Meer.
Richard also works closely with emerging photographers through the annual Cream Graduate Showcase, lectures in Professional Practice at universities, and provides portfolio reviews and career development mentoring for students and professional photographers.
Artist Development Sessions are a VAA Member Benefit and link directly to our Global Visual Artist Framework. The Global Visual Artist Framework is your roadmap to artistic success, professional growth, and financial sustainability.
The framework is built around six pillars, each providing practical guidance and actionable strategies.
Terms & Conditions to Strategy Sessions.
Artist Development Sessions (previously Strategy Sessions) are available to Premium VAA Members only. You will receive a link via your welcome email when you signed up as a member. When booking, you must detail no more than two main challenges you are currently facing. To receive your strategy session you must book within 2 months of joining as a member. If you need to cancel and/or reschedule this must be done with at least 48 hours notice of the session you were due to attend, otherwise you’ll forfeit their right to attend a session. If you cancel 2 sessions, you forfeit your right to a session.