Kate Enters - Great Companies Women Entrepreneur Award Winner 2023

Name: Kate Enters

Business Name: ArtCan

Location: Baldock, Hertfordshire

Establishment (Year): 2016

Category/Industry: Event & Entertainment

Profession/ Specialty: Art Exhibitions

Website: www.artcan.org.uk

Social Media: LinkedIn

Company Detail:

ArtCan is an artist-led, non-profit arts organization with members across Britain and internationally. ArtCan’s work is supported by the efforts of artist-member volunteers and contributions from donations and Friends of ArtCan. ArtCan works with galleries, but also seeks new spaces where art becomes a part of everyday life and with the aim of involving audiences in an organic and personal way. ArtCan’s artist-centred ethos means that the model does not involve charging membership fees or commissions on sales, to help artists focus on developing a sustainable practice.

ArtCan now represents 537 members from 26 countries, and organizes an annual programme of strong and vibrant collaborative art exhibitions. Throughout 2023, ArtCan is celebrating its 10 year anniversary

Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage:

Artists often work in isolation but crave connection and camaraderie of other artists. ArtCan provides a network and structure to connect with peers, filling a gap in the art world.

ArtCan’s unique exhibition process unlocks possibilities for an artist to sustain their individual practice by removing barriers such as the up-front cost of exhibiting, steep commission structures, and lack of marketing resources. By bringing artists together ArtCan increases the chance for exposure and potential sales.

Challenges Faced During the Journey:

ArtCan started as a small, inadvertent rebellion against the traditional structure of the art world. An artist herself, Kate Enters had organised many of her own solo exhibitions and found herself stymied by the up-front cost of promotion, high commissions taken by the galleries, and the same faces at private views. She needed a way to expand her audience and keep costs lower in order to sustain her own practice.

Being an artist can be an isolated existence, but the need for connectivity is innate and the pandemic drew that need sharply into focus, ArtCan had to adapt to the changes and support its artists members in staying connected.

Advice for Women Entrepreneurs:

Follow you passion and build a strong network that aligns with it and your energy, it will grow organically and develop on that strength. The future is incredibly bright and exciting!