If you want to be commercially successful before retirement age then you will have to learn how to schmooze.
Based on the old adage that it isn’t what you know, it’s who you know, schmoozing is about building networks of contacts that can help you get ahead.
It presupposes you want to compete for access to the limited opportunities or resources available to artists, and that you recognise in order to improve your chances of getting that exhibition space, publishing deal, or grant, you need to be ‘in the loop’ and, wherever possible, on friendly terms with the decision makers.
