Art Problems

Paddy Johnson
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The VVrkshop podcast for ambitious artists who want more shows, bigger grants, and better residencies.

  1. 20.3.

    Episode 107: The 2026 Whitney Biennial—What Can Art Do Now

    Artist William Powhida and Netvvrk Operations Director Penny Retica join me to discuss the 2026 Whitney Biennial, curated by Marcela Guerrero and Drew Sawyer. We walk through the show's major themes—human-animal relationships, infrastructure, economic critique, and the handmade.   Our conversation explores the possibilities brought forward by the biennial. Does it represent a search for art’s utility in a moment of uncertainty? Is its focus on feeling over confrontation, a curatorial choice or a broader retreat? What are the consequences of omitting collaborative work and art showcasing decentralized resistance?  Like all good conversations, this one doesn't offer easy answers. We examine what the biennial reveals about the current moment, and in a time that feels directionless, that critical work can feel grounding. Guests: William Powhida, artist Penny Retica, Netvvrk operations director Additional Reading: Ben Davis, The Whitney Biennial Just Wants you to Feel Something, Artnet, 2026  Aruna D’Souza, The Polycrisis Sublime of the Whitney Biennial, Hyperallergic, 2026 Jenny Wu, Whitney Biennial 2026 Review: The Revolution Will Be Cute, Art Review, 2026 Anna Kornbluh, Immediacy, or The Style of Too Late Capitalism Art Problems Podcast, Episode 85: What is Killing the New York Art Fairs, Part 2 We want to hear from you. Email us at support@vvrkshop.art Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

    1 t 7 min

  2. 23.2.

    Bonus Episode: From Treading Water to Landing Commissions in One Year with Yuko Oda

    What does it feel like to work professionally as an artist for 23 years but still feel like you're treading water? In this episode of Art Problems, I speak with Boston-based artist Yuko Oda about joining Netvvrk just over a year ago after graduating from RISD in 2002 and spending two decades feeling confused about her trajectory. She was saying yes to everything, spreading herself too thin, and missing opportunities she should have seized—like a group show in Tokyo where she wasn't happy with the work she submitted. In just over a year, Yuko sold her first major piece directly to a collector, secured a three-piece commission for a downtown Boston high-rise, exhibited work in Rome that she calls her best art experience ever, and learned to set boundaries that protect her momentum. We talk about overcoming hesitation to invest in yourself, how accountability groups helped navigate everything from invoices to artist-consultant contract splits, and what it feels like to finally know where you are on your career path instead of floating like a bubble. Free Info Session: How to Become a Biennial Artist - Wednesday, February 25th at 7pm EST Register here.  Yuko Oda: Website: https://www.yukooda.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yukooda75 Education: Rhode Island School of Design (RISD): https://www.risd.edu Institutions Mentioned: UMass Lowell: https://www.uml.edu Harvard Entomology Club: https://hmnh.harvard.edu New York Institute of Technology: https://www.nyit.edu Grants & Programs: Guggenheim Fellowship: https://www.gf.org Artists Mentioned (Commission Advice): Laura Fayer: https://www.laurafayer.com/ Adria Arch: https://www.adriaarch.com/ John Laustsen: https://www.jonlaustsen.com/ Mary Lynn Burke: https://www.marylynnburke.com/ Kristin Cronic: https://www.kristinraecronic.com/ Kristi Kun https://www.kristykun.com/

    39 min

  3. 22.2.

    Bonus Episode: How to Transform Your Grant Applications with Kimberlee Koym-Murteira

    What does it take to level up your documentation and grant applications when you're deeply insecure about your writing?   In this episode of Art Problems, I speak with Bay Area artist Kimberlee Koym-Murteira about joining Netvvrk three years ago, knowing she needed support to win more grants. She'd seen firsthand that when she had help, she was successful—but she didn't know how to get that consistently. Through constant feedback, mentorship from members, and building relationships in accountability groups, Kimberlee transformed her applications so dramatically that she won many and went from avoiding certain opportunities to applying for the Guggenheim.   This conversation breaks down what it looks like to use a creative community—getting feedback within hours when you need it, why AI tools help but can't replace human editors, and how focusing on your own path instead of competing locally creates sustained hopefulness even when six major galleries in your region close. If you've ever wondered what the practical day-to-day of career growth looks like, the details are all in this podcast.   LINKS AND RESOURCES Free Info Session: How to Become a Biennial Artist - Wednesday, February 25th at 7pm EST. Register here. Kimberlee Koym-Murteira: Website: https://www.kimberleekm.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberleekm/ Tools & Resources Mentioned: Grammarly: https://www.grammarly.com ChatGPT: https://chat.openai.com Bay Area Context: California College of the Arts (CCA): https://www.cca.edu

    20 min

  4. 20.2.

    Bonus Episode: How to Re-Enter the Art World After 25 Years

    What does it feel like to return to your art practice after a 25-year break? In this episode of Art Problems, I speak with visual artist Shae Nadine about navigating an art world that had completely transformed in her absence. When Shae joined Netvvrk two years ago, she was figuring out basics like digital documentation and artist statements. But through accountability groups and community support, she went from feeling lost to landing a NYSCA grant, a SuCasa residency, and curating a four-month public art exhibition in Chicago. This conversation gets into the unglamorous parts of building an art career—like why Shae's accountability group toasts their rejections, how to know when you're actually ready to apply for major grants, and why sometimes the best thing you can do for your relationship is stop asking your partner to read your artist statement. If you've ever felt like an outsider in the art world, I recommend listening to Shae’s story.   Links: Free Info Session: How to Become a Biennial Artist - Wednesday, February 25th at 7pm EST Register here. Shae Nadine || SubtleFlux: Website, Instagram Grants & Programs Mentioned: NYSCA (New York State Council on the Arts): https://arts.ny.gov Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC): https://lmcc.net Sukasa Grant: https://www.skowhegan.org/sukasa Manhattan Graphics Center: https://www.manhattangraphicscenter.org Pollack-Krasner Foundation: https://pkf.org Guggenheim Fellowship: https://www.gf.org Resources: Powerhouse Arts (mentioned in episode): https://powerhousearts.org Westbeth Artists Housing: https://westbeth.org

    50 min

  5. 6.2.

    EP 106: Going from “I Can’t Do This” to “I Can Do This” with Artist Maggie Hinders

    Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information out there to help artists? In this episode of Art Problems Netvvrk member Maggie Hinders shares how the Netvvrk Navigator assessment transformed her artistic experience of this reality from "I can't do this" to "I can do this." Maggie talks about moving from using Netvvrk primarily for community connection to finally tackling the curriculum with clarity. We discuss how the assessment organizes information into a clear path forward, why understanding what different career levels actually look like matters, and how developing an artistic narrative helps you communicate about abstract work. If you've ever felt like your brain works like a web and you need help pulling out that first thread, this conversation is for you.

    20 min

  6. 27.1.

    EP 105: How to Do Fewer Things

    80% of artists struggle with the same problem: getting seen by curators, gallerists, and collectors. And solving this problem is like slaying a multiheaded Hydra—the tasks are endless. In this episode, we talk about how to conquer the Hydra. I break down the reasons artists get stuck, even when they're working hard. You'll learn why the order you tackle things matters more than the tasks themselves, and how one overwhelmed member went from "30 things to do, doing none of them" to making real progress in six months. I'm also announcing the Netvvrk Navigator—a new assessment tool I built with artist William Powhida that shows you exactly where you are in your career and what to work on next. Plus, a special offer for the first 10 annual members that's only available once. If you've been working hard without seeing results, this episode will show you exactly what to do next.

    13 min

  7. 9.1.

    EP 104: Predictions for 2026 with William Powhida

    We're kicking off 2026 with artist William Powhida, whose 2017 work After the Contemporary predicted the future of art with unsettling accuracy. From the NEA closure to resource wars to Miami flooding, his satirical timeline keeps proving prescient. We discuss what he got right, what he missed (AI, influencers), and his predictions for 2026—including the rise of the "haute garde," the gambling-ification of culture, and why flexible pricing models might finally give artists more agency.   Relevant links: William Powhida's After the Contemporary at the Aldrich Museum (2017) Zero Art Fair New Visions Report 2025 The Art Angle Podcast - Ben Davis interviews Nadia Asparouhova on Antimemetics

    1 t 10 min

  8. 19.12.2025

    EP 103: Meet the Business Reporter With Data-Driven Insights into Your Career

    In this episode, Paddy talks with art market analyst Tim Schneider about the New Visions Report 2025, a survey of over 1,000 visual artists about their working conditions. They discuss why even successful artists struggle with money, what separates artists who advance in their careers from those who don't, and the business practices that matter most. Tim shares insights from two decades covering the art market about networking, professional systems, and why the infrastructure around your art practice is just as important as the work itself.

    49 min
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Tietoja

The VVrkshop podcast for ambitious artists who want more shows, bigger grants, and better residencies.

Tiedot

  • Tekijä
    Paddy Johnson
  • Julkaisuvuodet
    2022 - 2026
  • Jaksot
    100
  • Luokitus
    Lapsille sopiva
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2022 All rights reserved.
  • Ohjelman sivusto
    Art Problems

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