The new generation of artists in the Netherlands is not inferior to the business world, according to the recently published report of the Council for Culture The Culture Exploration which states that the young artist is seeking his own path, guided primarily by "friends and communities, whether through social media or not." According to the council, social media give artists "the opportunity to penetrate the deepest fibers of society." Reaching a large and broad audience seems more within reach than ever through social media - if used properly.
For art audiences, social media make it possible to experience art in a different way: via YouTube or live streams on the Internet, through virtual walks through museums, or through online galleries. The arts are taking on a new dimension thanks to digitization - a dimension that the young generation of artists in particular is adept at capitalizing on.
Also in the recently released research report Contemporary visual art galleries from the Netherlands Gallery Association (NGA) addresses digitization. The survey shows that buying and selling art online is on the rise. A third of art buyers have bought art online on occasion. A round on Facebook and Twitter quickly reveals that many galleries are using social media. Not unwise, because, according to the NRC article, "Dutch companies use social media primarily to propagate the brand." They do that for a reason.
Visual artists propagate their work through social media. On an ongoing basis, artists successfully publicize work, exhibitions and other activities through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram, just to name a few opportunities. Thus, social media also digitizes the exhibition space.
Digitizing is wise for many artists anyway, at least for the artist who wants to claim funds, because many of them, including the Mondriaan Fund, are switching completely to digital applications: create account online and everything can be done digitally.
Digital accounts, social media, digital platforms, profiles on social networks: it all seems inescapable. To keep participating, we "must" present ourselves through social media. And also for BK Information In addition to the ever topical question of "What do we present?" applies increasingly to the question of "Where do we present?"
Like those 27% of Dutch companies, we have been active on Twitter since the activation of the new BK website (still at www.bk-info.nl): twitter.com/BKinformation, or @BKinformation. What's next?