A Portfolio Review is an important step for artists in their professional development.
It is a way for an artist to have their artwork impartially measured against other artists. The VAA offers a dedicated Portfolio Review Service to its Members which gives artists the opportunity to engage in valuable dialogue to receive constructive feedback from art experts, with significant experience as curators, gallerists and art consultants.
A Portfolio Review offers a professional evaluation, with guidance and ideas on how artists can effectively market their art. The session is designed to be highly supportive so artists can speak in an unguarded way about their ideas, a recent body of work or key concerns, and frustrations, including creative blocks.
The session will typically cover any of the following areas:
- Offer objective critical feedback on your work and creative journey to date
- Advise on challenges you are facing in your work
- Support with finding or clarifying your ideal customer and niche
- Insights into marketing your art – website, social media, artist brand
- Portfolio selection for Art Fairs, Exhibitions or open-call competitions
- Getting ‘Artwork Ready’ to gain gallery representation or get your art published
- Provide concise and clear recommendations for you to take away and implement
Portfolio Reviews are led by Karen van Hoey Smith, Artist Mentor Manager. Karen’s experience in the art industry is extensive, including roles such as Art Agent & Manager, Gallerist, Auctioneer, and Consultant Expert. Karen holds a degree in Fine Art Evaluation and leads the VAA Mentorship Programme.
See bottom of page for pricing information and the form to book your session.
Please note this service is only available for Members of the Visual Artists Association.
Portfolio Review
Your In Depth Portfolio Review session.- Initial portfolio review sessions are a minimum of one hour, to ensure the best understanding of your work, assess the challenges and make the appropriate recommendations.
Portfolio Booster Sessions
Further Sessions to help you to Achieve Your Goal.Further 30-minute sessions are available to help cover more of your questions.
Once you have booked and payment has been processed a member of our team will be in touch to confirm a date for your Portfolio Review to take place.
Book your place by selecting the product below:
FUNDING APPLICATION REVIEW SESSIONS
With Emma Barnard MA (RCA)
Emma Barnard MA (RCA) engages in social commentary through her photography, shedding light on pressing social issues and amplifying marginalised voices. Her work advocates for social justice, focusing on the impoverished, the elderly, and those deemed ‘other’ in society.
Emma has collaborated extensively with ENT (Head and Neck) surgeons and their patients, visually exploring the doctor-patient dynamic. Her work has been exhibited internationally, including in the solo show Primum Non Nocere at the BBA Gallery in Berlin, and presented at prestigious medical conferences.
With a background working as an artist in medicine, Emma integrates creativity into medical education, collaborating with institutions such as King’s College and Surrey University. She also served as the visual arts lead for the AHRC-funded Culture Box Study. A mentor and coach for Arts Emergency, Emma was honoured with the Highly Commended Professional Artist Award 2022 by the Visual Artists Association.
Are you looking to improve your funding applications and enhance your chances of securing financial support for your artistic practice? The Funding Application Review Sessions with Emma Barnard provide tailored guidance to help you refine your proposals, strengthen your application, and address key challenges in the funding process.
Emma has successfully secured funding from a range of organisations, including:
• Arts Council England (multiple successful applications)
• Make it Happen – London Borough of Waltham Forest
• London Borough of Newham
• Cultural Kings, Kings College London
• Surrey University
• NHS England
• Standard Life Investments
• London Development Agency
• Arts & Business New Partners
• Building 1000
• Development Securities
• Private Funding
Session Details
• The review session will take place via Zoom.
• Artists will receive insightful feedback on their funding applications.
• The session will cover strategies for meeting funder criteria and overcoming common challenges in the application process.
Pre-Session Requirements
To ensure a productive review, artists must provide the following at least 3–5 days before the meeting:
• A copy of their funding application
• The funding criteria and guidelines
• A summary of any specific challenges they are facing in the application process
*Please note that while these sessions offer insightful feedback to help improve your application, success cannot be guaranteed.