Artist Appreciation Month: 5 Simple Ways to Support Artists This August

Feature image: École des beaux-arts (from the live), Image via Wikimedia commons (Public domain)

It's officially Artist Appreciation Month, and you know what that means – It’s time to support and celebrate artists! And we're in good company here at ArtRKL among art lovers alike. Follow along for 5 ways to support and celebrate artists this month.

In our increasingly busy day-to-day lives, it can be so hard to find the time to visit that one gallery or museum you've been meaning to for several months... Make a promise to yourself this month, and schedule the trip. You won't regret it! Taking an hour or two away from our daily lives and immersing ourselves in an artful environment, whether it's a museum or a local gallery, is often just what we need to feel more connected to art. While you’re there, consider taking a photo of your favorite artwork and showing the artist some appreciation by tagging them in your social media post of the piece.

The debate between “art” vs. “arts and crafts” is ongoing among art lovers– what qualifies as art, and what makes something just a craft? Forget that debate for a moment. If you feel intimidated by creating your own artful creation, start with a step-by-step craft project! It can be a collage, a painting, a photograph, bringing a canvas outside and painting what you see–or a paint-by-numbers canvas. Just create something. Connecting ourselves with artmaking brings us that much closer to the art and artists we love. Follow this Modge Podge Rocks blog for a few at-home crafts to try out.

If you find yourself saying things like, “I should have tried painting,” or “I would have loved to try sculpture,” or “I'm too old to learn it now,” remember: you're never too old, and it's never too late. Art classes are often offered at local arts organizations. Do some research about what’s offered in your area, and give one a try! Pushing ourselves out of our comfort zones is what artists do all the time. It can help us to appreciate artists by pushing ourselves out of our normal routines, trying something new, being creative, and connecting with ourselves through art.

Joining an art group may sound intimidating, but it's not. Artists and creatives rely on each other, and community is at the heart of all things art. Start by joining a Facebook group that shares local arts events and networking opportunities. Get involved–your community will be glad you did.

This one is rather self-explanatory. Artists need our support both creatively and financially, so if there's a piece of art you've been wanting to buy, now is the perfect time to do it. August, or Artist Appreciation Month, is the moment to show your support. If you can, go ahead and make that purchase! If not, share it with your network so others can see it.

Most of you reading this are year-round artists and art appreciators. Still, it’s important to take a moment to recognize art's profound impact on all our lives and dive into it ourselves. Whether through hands-on art-making or simply appreciating the beauty of art on view, we must remember to show our appreciation for artists enriching our world, not just from afar. 

©ArtRKL™️ LLC 2021-2024. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. ArtRKL™️ and its underscore design indicate trademarks of ArtRKL™️ LLC and its subsidiaries.