The art Instagram account is a 21st century phenomenon in the art world. Typically, it is an Instagram profile that is separate from someone’s main profile, where they exclusively post their art. The beauty of the art account is that the artist can make it anything they want it to be; they choose how to display their art, what they want to say about it, and how much of their art they reveal.
There are several reasons to run an art account on Instagram, the most obvious perhaps being that it is a free and easy-to-use way to get your work out there. It’s a way to have an ever-present portfolio, a portable gallery that you can access from anywhere with internet connection. Getting into a routine of posting your art can hold you accountable to keep creating and prevent you from getting artist’s block, something many artists struggle with. You get full creative direction over your account and choose exactly how you want to present your work. Finally, it’s a fantastic way to connect with other artists and gain a vital sense of community.
However, it’s important to keep in mind the possible disadvantages of running such an account. Many studies have shown that spending excessive time on social media is bad for a person’s health. Additionally, some may question whether it’s worth it: surely having a large presence online doesn’t necessarily mean you’re successful? In my experience, if someone pours a lot of hard work into their art online, they are inclined to do the same in person: a successful art account is an indicator that the artist works very hard in real life too. A further fear is that of your work getting stolen, especially from a public account; or of your work being used to train AI, something which most artists rightfully hate. I wish I had an answer to this fear, but unfortunately it’s a topic for another time.
I believe that whether to make an art Instagram account or not is ultimately a matter of ‘to each their own,’ as people have very valid reasons for not wanting to use social media. However, my view is that an art account is an island of hope and beauty on a platform otherwise full of negativity. I have a lot of fun with mine. I encourage any creative person to at least consider starting an art account on Instagram and get your work out there.
