Praxis Center Membership

Go from invisible
to recognized
in the art world.

Online courses, live conversations with curators and dealers, and personal support for artists at every experience level.

Enroll in Praxis See what’s included

$120/month or $1,200/year · All prices in USD

10 online courses300+ Roundtable guests in the archive

As seen on

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A better path for artists

The art world can make it feel as though you have only two choices: struggle to get by, or make work that doesn’t feel like your own.

It’s easy to feel invisible, overwhelmed, or pressured to change your work just to pay the bills. You put in a lot of effort, but see very few results.

Praxis offers another path: practical ways to share your work, reach collectors, find funding, and build a career without selling out.

Get known

Put your work in front of galleries, curators, and collectors.

Build a following

Grow a collector list and an audience interested in what you make.

Fund your practice

Raise money through grants, patrons, and sales, and work toward going full-time.

Make art your way

Spend more time in the studio, making work that reflects your style and purpose.

Access ten full online courses

All ten courses are included with enrollment. Work through the recorded lessons at your own pace.

1Getting Your Art Exhibited$195 listed value

Exhibiting your art is an important part of building a thriving practice. Learn how to find the right galleries and museums, approach them, and manage the relationship.

What you’ll learn

  • Get your art exhibited, wherever you live
  • Find galleries and museums that fit your work
  • Use cold-calling scripts to arrange meetings
  • Approach galleries and negotiate shows
  • Manage an exhibition professionally
  • Leave a gallery when it is time to move on
2Grant Writing$195 listed value

Learn how to research funding and turn a project idea into a clear, professional grant application.

What you’ll learn

  • Research grants
  • Create a plan of action
  • Write your first draft
  • Edit your application
  • Polish your proposal before submitting it
3Artist Statements, Bios, and Press Releases$195 listed value

Write about your work with more confidence, with samples to work from and help from a professional editor.

What you’ll learn

  • Write and edit your artist biography
  • Write press releases
  • Develop your artist statement
  • Write professional letters
  • Use sample statements as a starting point
4Social Media Strategy & Web Design for Artists$195 listed value

Build an online presence that helps people discover your work, and find resources for creating a website that attracts collectors.

What you’ll learn

  • Develop a social media strategy and posting schedule
  • Use Instagram as a virtual gallery
  • Use Facebook to grow your art business
  • Set up your own artist newsletter
  • Plan your artist website
5Selling Art Online$195 listed value

Connect your website and social presence to a practical approach to selling your art online.

What you’ll learn

  • Build your art brand and find your niche
  • Set up your website
  • Use third-party platforms
  • Price your art and communicate its value
  • Build a collector list with a social media campaign
6Kickstarter School for Artists$195 listed value

Learn the campaign strategy Brainard used to raise $16,197 on Kickstarter through a project with James Franco.

What you’ll learn

  • Build interest before launching
  • Outline your campaign
  • Design rewards
  • Launch your campaign successfully
7Time Management for Artists$195 listed value

Learn to manage your time, organize non-art tasks, and create more studio time.

What you’ll learn

  • Identify distractions and avoid multitasking
  • Make time for non-art tasks
  • Allow time for flow
  • Organize for efficiency
  • Create a schedule and set reminders
  • Build in wrap-up time
8Taxes & Financial Planning for Artists$195 listed value

Understand the financial side of your practice, from finding an accountant to planning for the future.

What you’ll learn

  • Decide whether to file taxes yourself or hire an accountant
  • Choose an accountant
  • Explore financial and estate planning
  • Understand wills and the importance of good credit
  • Learn about life insurance and investing
9Weekly Curators Roundtable$1,195 listed value

Meet curators and art dealers in live Zoom conversations, ask questions, and explore an archive of more than 300 guests.

What you’ll learn

  • Hear how curators discover and select artists
  • Learn what to send and how to approach a guest
  • Receive contact information and guidance for following up
  • Explore interviews and lectures from museums, galleries, and art consultancies

Past Roundtable guests include

  • Emily Edwards / Dallas Contemporary
  • Paola Antonelli / MoMA
  • Cara Lewis / Bridge Projects
  • Ladan Akbarnia / San Diego Museum of Art
  • Kelly Kivland / DIA Art Foundation
  • Noor Alé and Claudia Mattos / AXIS Curatorial
  • Ron Platt / Grand Rapids Museum
  • Wendy Posner / Posner Fine Art / Consultant
  • Pavel Pys / Walker Art Center
  • Molly Casey / Nine Dot Arts / Consultant
10Patrons and Sponsors$795 listed value

The course that launched Praxis: find and communicate with patrons and sponsors who can help fund a project or support your studio practice.

What you’ll learn

  • Find personal patrons and corporate sponsors
  • Write a direct letter using provided templates
  • Have your letter edited by Brainard as many times as you need
  • Build relationships with collectors
  • Follow up and develop support over time

Listed course value: $3,550

Enroll for access to all ten →

Eight membership bonuses

Enrollment also includes these resources and support services.

Bonus 1

The Art Insider Lounge

23 expert lectures with international curators, residency specialists, private dealers, critics, grant writers, and a New York gallerist.

$575 listed value

Bonus 2

Mentor Network

Ask a gallerist, dealer, curator, or writer questions in the private Facebook group.

$400 listed value

Bonus 3

Praxis Guest Lecturers

A new expert talk each month, with practical advice from people working in the art market.

$300 listed value per year

Bonus 4

Professional Editing

A professional editor personally edits your artist statement and biography.

$500 listed value

Bonus 5

Your “Dear Abby” of Commercial Galleries

Ask a professional NYC gallerist how to interpret a gallery’s response and decide what to do next.

$500 listed value

Bonus 6

Grant & Residency Lists

New lists of grants and residencies accepting applications, published every month for members only.

$100 listed value

Bonus 7

Private Facebook Group

A community of artists, teachers, and art professionals for practical advice, feedback, and support.

$200 listed value

Bonus 8

Making It in the Art World

A digital copy of Brainard’s book, covering approaches to galleries and raising funds from your home and studio.

$19.95 listed value

Courses $3,550

Bonuses $2,594.95

Combined listed value $6,144.95

Enroll from $120/month
Brainard Carey, artist and founder of Praxis
  • Whitney Biennial and MoMA PS1 exhibitions
  • 1,600+ Yale radio interviews
  • 5 books for artists
  • 10+ years helping artists

Made by an artist for artists

My name is Brainard Carey.

I have been helping artists get discovered and build their careers for over a decade. I enjoy being an educator as well as a working artist. I studied at SUNY Purchase for my BFA and developed a passion for teaching other artists how to navigate the art world.

After college, I opened a gallery and began publishing a print magazine. I ran both businesses for a decade. After ten years of learning the business of selling art, I moved back to Manhattan and opened my storefront studio on 10th Street.

When I got into my first major shows, the Whitney Biennial and Greater New York at MoMA PS1, I began consulting with other artists. I’ve since interviewed more than 1,600 artists, writers, and curators for the Yale University radio program The Lives of the Artists, and written five books for artists, including Making It in the Art World and The Art World Demystified.

Those interviews inform what I teach. My goal is to help artists navigate the art world.

More about Brainard and Praxis →

Meet the curators

Watch curator highlights from the Praxis Prize community and explore the artists they selected. View all curators →

What members are saying

Gabrielle Senza

$7,175 since starting the course

…A collector who has collected my work in the past, responded to my letter… by purchasing $2100 worth of works from the studio rather than simply donating money towards my project… That means I've raised a total of $7,175 since starting the course last month. Thank you for the motivation and pragmatic advice, Brainard!
Gabrielle Senza, Artist
Carole Silverstein

A solo show, two weeks later

Your techniques and advice/support was very helpful. After… contacting 15 SF galleries and 4 curators for appointments I connected to the right one, and 2 weeks later she offered me a solo show for next month…
Carole Silverstein
Barry L. Wingard

$17,600 from a single patron

I have lots I want to share with all of you but I will tell you my project was completely funded by one patron today. All $17,600! I still can't believe it! Thank you Brainard!
Barry L. Wingard, Artist
Read 20 more member stories
Tatyana Ostapenko
Excited to join the class and want to thank Brainard for being generous with resources. I applied to the Odessa Biennial that Brainard mentioned and got in! This will be my first international show and a homecoming to my native Ukraine. Much gratitude
Tatyana Ostapenko, Artist
Kim Faler
This is magic! I raised 80% of my goal in just one week. It's amazing how generous people are if you just ask! Thanks Brainard!
Kim Faler, Artist
Rob Hessler
I'm happy to report that I've raised $1805 towards my $15k goal! Not bad for my first mailing, if I do say so myself.
Rob Hessler, Artist
Alexander Vlachos
I received $1000 today
Alexander Vlachos, Musician, Artist
Alison Wells
I was out of town for a few weeks but when I came back yesterday I was pleasantly surprised to see 2 checks waiting for me. I am thrilled 😁
Alison Wells, Artist
Stina Aleah
Received my first donation of $150 today!
Stina Aleah, Artist
Patricia Vinyard
This is the confirmation of my first sponsor donation. Woo!
Patricia Vinyard, Artist
Ianthe Jackson
I got 400 in donations and sold a drawing for 225! Now off to write more letters!
Ianthe Jackson, Artist
Dawn Boyer
I just received a Paypal donation of $250 from a patron! Thanks, Brainard.
Dawn Boyer, Artist
Holly Tempo
OMG! I just got back my first SASE with a check for $2,000--which covers 2/3 of my funding goal for the project!!!!!!!!!!!!😄😃😄😃😄😃😍
Holly Tempo, Artist
Sarah Duclos
So, I'm completing the course at a GLACIAL pace, because it's a busy producing season for me - but, EXCITING NEWS... My dance company has the opportunity to put roots down in a little studio space in a prime location. It was a time sensitive offer and we do not have money in the bank. I've been cultivating donors with a collaborator to make this happen, but still hadn't made that solo ask. Well, yesterday I was chatting with someone and it organically happened! She made a $1337 dollar donation to pay for a month's operating expenses! SO PUMPED and feeling less afraid.!
Sarah Duclos, Dancer, Artistic Director at Neoteric Dance Collaborative
Karen Hampton
After taking Brainard's course on sponsors and patrons, I mustered up the courage and asked a patron and received a check for $5,000 to aid my studio practice.
Karen Hampton, Artist
Tim DeChristopher
I just got my first PayPal donation!!
Tim DeChristopher, Artist
Vasia Markides
Hi Brainard! Sent out my first letter (email) the other day and was promised $1500 by October.
Vasia Markides, Artist
Amber-Jean
...My neighbor made it down the mountain this afternoon on a quest for a new heat tape - but none existed. He picked up my mail…brought it to my studio where I was working and offered me a ride down to my truck now that the road was plowed enough to get it back home. I poured through the mail, my tummy flip-flopped when I found an envelope marked "Cla-------k." After your advise to Google (name withheld) I decided that being the sole patron of the Bison Bench was unlikely since he doesn't make as much $ as I thought. I had quietly settled on a wished-for number in my mind for the check to be….knowing that it could be anything and afraid to be disappointed but right in my hand was a check written for the wished-for number……………….$10,000.00…!!!!!! BINGO! My blue mood blew away with the same force of the snow flurries outside!!! I am taking a treat to my neighbor right now before settling into my cozy cabin with running water and a grin. I can hardly wait to continue my fundraising efforts tomorrow. I plan to make the goal of $20,000 before the end of the year (and shop for NEW tires ASAP) Cheers!
Amber-Jean, Artist
Amy Williams
OMG! Just received my first donation - $1000!" -- "Came home to two more donations in the mail! Another $500, putting me well over the $4000 mark. Yay!
Amy Williams, Artist
Ann Friedlander
I just had my first studio visit and she took 6 paintings - Also A show in February
Ann Friedlander
Noah Saunders
I just set up a coffee date with a professor from Italy to talk over the Light show you posted. Thanks for the info and inspiration to use info as a tool to make deeper connections within my community :D
Noah Saunders
Ct Cummins
I have news to share and I hope this is an encouragement to all. I did the course work and first worked on fine tuning the website and bio. thanks to all that helped but this is really a shout out to Brainard's suggestions. THEY WORK. I am happy to share I just achieved my third gallery and each gallery is a step up in my career. Do what he says and it will work for you. THANK YOU Brainard for sharing your knowledge.
Ct Cummins
Justin Cloud
I took some of the things I learned in your class and applied them! I had a studio visit with the owner of a small gallery on the lower east side. She said that she was interested in working with me... Also, I had the visit today, she said she is booked until June (month long shows). We talked a little about designing a solo show, and that she would want to see what I had planned.
Justin Cloud

Enroll in Praxis Center Membership

Monthly

$120 / month

  • All ten courses and eight bonuses
  • Weekly live curator conversations and recordings
  • A personal strategy video from Brainard
  • Professional editing and community support
Enroll monthly

Billed monthly in USD. Continues to secure checkout.

Annual

Best value · Save $240 a year

$1,200 / year

About $100 a month

  • All ten courses and eight bonuses
  • Weekly live curator conversations and recordings
  • A personal strategy video from Brainard
  • Professional editing and community support
  • Portfolio sharing service
Enroll annually

Billed annually in USD. Continues to secure checkout.

30-day money-back guarantee

If Praxis isn’t right for you within your first 30 days, request a full refund of your initial membership payment. No questions asked. Refund and cancellation policy →

Your confirmation email will explain how to access your membership.

Commonly asked questions

Contact Praxis →

Is this for beginners or experienced artists?

Both. Praxis welcomes artists who are just starting out as well as artists who have been working for decades. You can focus on the courses and conversations that fit your current practice.

Will this work for my medium?

The community includes painters, photographers, sculptors, illustrators, digital artists, designers, and performing artists. The teaching focuses on the career side of a fine art practice and can be applied across media.

When does the program start?

You can begin after enrolling. The recorded courses are self-paced, so you choose when to watch and how quickly to work through them. Live curator conversations and the community continue alongside the recordings.

How long do I have access?

You have access while your membership is active. You can choose monthly or annual billing. Many artists work through the material over a year and stay for the community and new conversations.

What kind of support is included?

The private Facebook group includes artists, curators, editors, and other professionals. Brainard also answers questions in the group and by email, and provides a personal strategy video for new members.

How much time should I set aside?

Start with at least 30 minutes a week for the course material. Leave additional time to put the ideas into practice, develop applications, write letters, and attend live conversations.

What are the requirements to enroll?

There are no formal prerequisites. The program is open to artists at any experience level.

Where do I complete enrollment?

Choose a monthly or annual enrollment option on this page to continue to Praxis’s secure checkout. After payment, follow the confirmation and access instructions sent to your email.

Do you offer refunds?

Yes. Monthly and annual enrollment include a 30-day money-back guarantee. If the program isn’t right for you, request a full refund of your initial membership payment within your first 30 days. No questions asked. Email info@praxiscenterforaestheticstudies.com or contact Praxis. See our refund and cancellation policy for details.

Enroll in Praxis