Episode #437 - Redefining the Art World: How To Empower Artists Without Gallery Representation - with Kate Enters from ArtCan

In this episode of ScaleUp Radio, Kevin Brent sits down with Kate Enters, the dynamic founder of ArtCan, a non-profit arts organisation designed to help artists find their voice and showcase their work beyond the traditional gallery system. Kate shares the remarkable story of ArtCan’s origins, its unconventional non-profit model, and the community it has built for artists seeking exhibition opportunities without gallery representation. With over 600 artists involved from 25+ countries, ArtCan has grown into a global community for artists, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment that empowers individuals to take control of their artistic careers. We delve into Kate’s visionary approach to leadership, ArtCan’s unique volunteer structure, and the organisation’s plans for sustainable growth. She discusses the balance between flexibility and structure, aiming to keep ArtCan accessible to artists while also exploring monetization avenues such as corporate sponsorships and membership fees. Kate’s journey offers an inspiring look at how passion, adaptability, and a trust in her instincts have enabled her to build a thriving, artist-first network that challenges the status quo in the art world. Key Topics: ArtCan's Founding Vision and Unique Non-Profit Model Discover how Kate founded ArtCan a decade ago as an inclusive alternative to the traditional gallery system, creating a space where artists without representation can exhibit their work. ArtCan’s model eliminates sales commissions, with artists only paying small participation fees, making it a more accessible platform for emerging talent. The organisation hosts 10-15 exhibitions per year, including a virtual gallery born from the pandemic, reaching audiences worldwide. Volunteer-Driven Structure and Organisational Challenges ArtCan operates entirely with a volunteer team, including a board of trustees, coaches, and an advisory committee, all dedicated to supporting the artists. Kate explains the challenges of expanding the audience, securing funding, and planning to introduce membership fees to enhance ArtCan’s sustainability. Kate's Approach to Leadership and Growth Emphasising flexibility and intuition, Kate promotes a leadership style that empowers artists to own their process while maintaining a consistent framework for ArtCan’s operations. She shares her aspirations to transition ArtCan’s business structure over the next few years, including creating paid roles for core volunteers and building a formal strategy around partnerships and funding. Marketing and Community Engagement ArtCan leverages social media platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn to amplify its reach internationally and relies on word-of-mouth within the artist community. The organisation’s creative fundraising initiatives, such as its annual postcard exhibition and holiday art quiz, also contribute to community building and awareness. Make sure you don’t miss any future episodes by subscribing to ScaleUp Radio wherever you like to listen to your podcasts. For now, continue listening for the full story from Kate.   Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for. If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/kevin You can get in touch with Kevin here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk   Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/   Kate can be found here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-enters-b685505/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/artcanorg/ https://www.instagram.com/artcanorg/ https://www.artcan.org.uk/ info@artcan.org.uk