Tired of seeing the same old celebrity dance shows, reality dramas and corny sit-coms on television? Do you think the world deserves more than depressing news stories and silly cooking shows?
Yes. The world does deserve more. The world deserves to see you and your art when they turn on their televisions. Here is how to change your view of yourself, your work and develop your message to accomplish this exciting goal.

Ready? Here are the five steps to getting your art seen on television:


Step one: Why should you and your work be on television?
… Anyone can post a video on Youtube. Television is different. Television is still considered the formal media in world cultures. Television can present you and your images as news, communicating your message to thousands of people at once. Television still holds much respect on a resume. A television segment about your art can change your standing in the community, and lead to amazing opportunities. ( Hey,come on…the world really needs more artists on television. And frankly, the world needs YOU.)

Step Two: Are you ready for television?
Here is how you know: You are ready when you can envision a reporter or an interviewer being able to introduce you, and you being able to have something to offer that is interesting, newsworthy, exciting, inspirational, controversial or life-affirming… Read this sentence again and again until you understand it.

Yes, there are a few ways to get on television as an artist. All ways will cause you to grow as a communicator. If you are at the stage where you are still just enjoying quietly drawing in your bedroom, and would rather not talk to television producers, then you should print this story out and save it for the future. But if you are ready to share your unique vision and have an understanding of how your art “fits” into the big picture of your community, then you are now ready for this adventure.


Step Three: How does your art fit in? Not only will you need to begin seeing your own art as being newsworthy, you will need to begin writing what is known in the industry as a “ress Release.” ( More on how to properly write a press release later.)
Here are examples beginning with the most simple and leading up to the most complex:


Example: Say you have a really gorgeous photo of a local landscape. Send this photo via Email to the local television producer. Suggest that your picture be used in a specific context. One place that is possible is during evening weather reports.
“It’s a beautiful sunny Saturday, and here’s a gorgeous photo of people enjoying the day at the park, sent into us by Jane Smith.” Or:
“It’s snowing outside and here is a photo of a Hawaiian tropical beach to keep us all warm, sent in by David Smith.”

Example: You have created a portrait of a historical person or a well-known pop-culture icon. Their birth day is coming up Send in your image with a note to the producer, introducing yourself and explaining the art. Suggest how it may be used.
“Today is the birthday of Rock legend David Bowie, and here is a portrait painted by local artist Jenny Schmidt, who sent it in to help us celebrate…”

These examples may sound silly to you. Or…they may get you thinking about the possibilities. What these examples illustrate is how you can begin a relationship with a television producer and launch your journey as a media-savvy artist. Now that I have shown a few simple examples, here are some more complex and meaty opportunities for television coverage.

Sometimes television news programs feature artists, but it must be in relationship to a newsworthy topic. Other times, artists are featured due to “crazy” stunts and shocking exhibitions. Think about this for a minute, the “Dada” and “Surrealist” art-movements were launched by media-savvy artists Tristan Tsar and Andre Bretton. They sent press-releases to newspapers about their own shocking shows. This self-generated publicity helped a handful of playful artists to become art-world celebrities, and led to these two movements becoming permanent fixtures in art-history.

Example: You are involved in an art exhibition with a newsworthy topic. For instance, your art relates to a social issue like global warming, poverty, homelessness, or clinical depression. You will send a press-release to local television stations. You will call the producer.

Example: Your work is especially dynamic, inventive or displayed in a “new” way. Maybe you do huge murals using chocolate, maybe you do photo-emulsion onto people’s cars. The visuals of your show are jaw-dropping. You will send a press release and phone the television producer.

Another possibility is to pitch your self as guest on a local talk show. You can’t begin your career as a media-savvy artist on Oprah. Instead, start in a simple venue to get used to speaking and presenting yourself. Call a local TV cable station and ask how to submit a proposal for a guest appearance. You will be guided through the process, and be told what you need. This is a way to go if you are working on a truly news-worthy project, have an especially interesting technique or a riveting story to tell. Maybe you are a senior re-launching your art life anew. Maybe you traveled the world and have produced a body of work that reflects your journey. Did you overcome an illness, were you inspired by a life-changing event? Do you represent a hip sub-culture? Does your work shock people? Heal people? Anger people? Touch people’s hearts in an inspiring way?

Example: My own paintings shed light on the subject of missing children. I can display some of my paintings, and talk about issues of child safety, as well as explain my artistic process.

Step Four: Research Your target

Whether you are approaching a television producer about sending a single image that could be flashed briefly on-air, promoting a news event or asking to be interviewed, you will need to become a communicator. Go online. Find the phone number or Email of the Producer or Show-Coordinator. Some websites now included handy tips on what producers are looking for, and even how to submit press releases or inquiry materials. The “mysterious veil” of the media is almost totally broken down, thankfully, due to technology, do-it-yourself attitudes and the reality that anyone can be a “star” these days.

A word to the young and old: there is also no age barrier anymore. Seniors and young teens command respect in the media. You are not “too young” to do this! Nor are you “too old” to do this!

Find out in advance who you need to address Emails to, who to send press releases to, and what they need. If you call the station to find out these answers, always be nice, friendly and business-like when you talk to people. Speak clearly, Don’t mumble or say “Ummmm, well like…” Think of yourself as a professional communicator. Get this target information: Who do you need to send things to and what do they need.


Step Five Practice Your “itch”.

Your “itch” is your presentation. You will need to write it and you will need to say it. What you are writing is your press release, and what you are saying is your story, your idea. Practice calling the local television producer and saying your pitch. Speak clearly, but energetically. Be upbeat, and very matter-of-fact.


Example: “Hi, this is Josev Kadid. I am having an exhibition of paintings at the Ace Gallery. The paintings are about endangered species. I am having my opening reception in two weeks and I think the paintings would look stunning in a feature. The reception will have local wildlife activists in attendance, and will be a big event. Can I send you a press kit?”

Example: “Hi, this is Rocky Mc Vee, I am exhibiting a new line of art on skateboards this weekend at the RedLight café. I will do a demonstration of how I paint. There will be some local skaters doing live stunts with my boards in the street outside. I think it would be a great event to cover.”

Example: “ Hello, this is Marcy Sinclaire. I am a digital artist. I take photos of famous historical figures and digitally add them into images of daily life. The images address issues of poverty and politics. I would love to send you my best examples, and apply to be a guest on your show for an interview. What should I send you?”

I all of these examples, You quickly introduce yourself, give a brief description of your event or idea, make it sound attractive, and then wait for an answer…

Sometimes the producer will be filled with suggestions. Sometimes they will be rude. (Remember, people have been pitching them all day with ideas for news coverage or interviews.) Usually they will want more information. They will want a press release. They will ask you for more details. Be prepared to answer!! Don’t waste their time and don’t be boring. It’s like a game. Practice this pitch… And then be prepared to have the producer say “yes.”


Next Time…In the next installment of this article, we will learn about the press release. We will learn about how to write one, what it must contain… (and what it should NOT contain). We will see real examples of artists like you who have successfully had television appearances which helped them reach greater audiences and launch their careers. Until then, entertain these ideas. Go over these five steps in your mind and begin preparing for your television adventure. Real artists do this! It’s your turn.