GROUP WORKSHOPS
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN CAREER-BUILDING SKILLS
Robin Cembalest teaches classes in writing, social media, public speaking, self-promotion, and other essential skills at MFA programs, residencies, and professional organizations, in person and online.
Crafted for art professionals of all levels, her workshops include templates, tips, and one-on-one feedback.
A longtime instructor at the Bronx Museum’s Artist in the Marketplace program, a member of the Career Development program at the Art Students League, and a coach at Creative Capital, Robin has helped thousands of artists, curators, educators, advisors, gallerists, and other arts workers to improve their content across all platforms.
What people are saying
SOCIAL MEDIA
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In this intensive workshop, Robin shares creative strategies and best practices for promoting yourself and your work. Using examples from a wide range of artists, she’ll offer essential tips for crafting profiles, chronicling your art process, and explaining the larger meaning of your art. She’ll teach you how to leverage Reels, Stories, and hashtags, along with skills for expanding visibility and networks. After her presentation, she’ll review the Instagram of all participants and offer action steps.
“She gives artists and curators plenty of immediate, individualized feedback, and guidance that gets them to keep thinking about how to best communicate about what they do long after the workshop has ended.” —Alison Kuo, Director of Programs, International Studio & Curatorial Program
Class available in Spanish
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Using examples from artists, curators, gallerists, publicists, and others in the art-world ecosystem, Robin will show how individuals can use organic Instagram content to increase visibility and thought leadership. Participants will learn to craft a dynamic profile, create content that conveys their message and goals, write about artworks and exhibitions, sharpen art direction and photo editing skills, promote projects, and connect with their target audience. After her presentation, and Q&A, she will review the Instagram of all participants and offer action steps. Whether you're an educator, curator, artist, gallerist, advisor, or auction-house specialist, this class offers long-term rewards.
“Her core knowledge of communication strategies, coupled with her inspiring comfort within an ever evolving landscape, make her an invaluable resource for catching up on, and exploring, social media and online marketing realities.” —Derek Webster, Associate Director for the Arts, Yale Office of Career Strategy
Class available in Spanish
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How do you chronicle the transformative power of art to change hearts, minds, lives, and policy — through posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram? In this focused session, Robin looks at how artists working in the field of social justice can use organic content to build narratives, connect with allies and partners, and get their message out.
Class available in Spanish
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In this new workshop, created for the College Art Association’s 2024 annual conterence, Robin shares shares best practices for the art-historically inclined. With examples from across the field, she’ll show how scholars and museum professionals are using Instagram to build audience and thought leadership, promote projects, change minds and policies, and connect with allies, media, and donors.
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I had spent my entire career in art journalism when ARTnews, the magazine where I was the top editor, was sold. It was 2014. I was in my ‘50s, with a skill set forged in the era of print.
Ten years later, I retain my press and VIP access, though I haven’t written an article in years. People routinely come up to me at galleries and elsewhere to say they follow my Instagram and that they find my content useful and empowering. All in all, I’m better known than ever.
In this personal talk/workshop, I’ll explain how I used social media to rebrand and reposition myself, adapting my editorial skills for a digital era and turning my focus to professional training. Along the way, I’ll offer tips for other career-changers on crafting your message and getting your story out.
WRITING ABOUT ART
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In this empowering workshop, Robin demystifies the distinctive and often challenging process of writing about visual art. In her presentation, she’ll share examples and templates for different types of professional art writing, from press releases to Instagram posts. Then, after Q&A, participants will have the opportunity to share their own text–artist statements, web copy, and other expository writing, up to 200 words. Robin will offer valuable feedback and next steps.
As the longtime editor of ARTnews, Robin taught generations to write professionally. Artist or gallerist, educator or curator, this class will give you the tools, skills, and best practices to write clearly and accessibly, with less stress and more success.
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With texts for websites, social media, grant applications, and e-mail lists, artists are often challenged to write about their own work. In this workshop Robin shares tips for describing your art, from materials and process to intention and meaning. Participants will also have the opportunity to share their own text and receive feedback.
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Every creative professional needs that foundational text that sums up who they are, what they do, and why they do it. Learn how to describe yourself and your artwork, position your practice, and explain the deeper meaning of your art in this intensive writing workshop. In her presentation, Robin will share templates for artist bios and statements, as well as examples from a wide range of artists. Then she’ll answer questions and offer one-on-one feedback on the bio of each participant.
“We all learned so much! I've never seen our students writing down notes so furiously for such a sustained amount of time.” —Josephine Halvorson, Professor of Art and Chair of Graduate Studies in Painting, The 2022 University Lecturer, School of Visual Arts, College of Fine Arts, Boston University
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So you want to write an art review. How do you get started? Robin shares templates and best practices in this two-hour introductory class, designed for creative professionals of all levels. In the first hour, she breaks down the essential elements of exhibition reviews, including structure, description, and value judgment. In the second hour, she’ll answer questions about getting published, and offer one-on-one feedback on brief writing samples from the participants.
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If you’re working on your artist statement, promoting a show, or would like help with an essay, this class is for you. Channeling her experience as the former editor of ARTnews and a longtime coach and mentor, Robin will review participants’ writing samples and offer constructive advice in a collegial setting. Participants will come away empowered to improve their own texts, and to convey their artistic concepts into clear, accessible language.
PUBLIC SPEAKING
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Can you describe your art and projects out loud in 30 seconds? In this lively workshop, Robin shares exercises, tips, and one-on-one feedback to teach participants how to craft the classic elevator pitch. After Q&A, each participant will take their turn workshopping their pitch. They’ll come away equipped to make that powerful first impression, whether on Zoom, Instagram Live, or in-person encounters.
Robin will also explain how to apply your pitch tactics to longer interviews with the press, as well as podcasts and other public conversations.
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Robin brings her decades of experience as a journalist and mentor to help you craft and deliver your message with confidence and authenticity.
She’ll help you clarify your talking points in accessible language, and offer for tips for talking to the press.
With her distinctive teaching method, Robin explains how to use the method of rehearsed improvisation to talk about yourself and your work in public.
In the first hour of the workshop, she offers a how-to presentation on crafting the classic Elevator Pitch, describing who you are and what you do. Then, she'll explain how to modify your pitch for longer talks and interviews , as well as podcasts and panel discussions.
In the second hour, after Q&A, each participant will take their turn workshopping their pitch, and Robin will offer feedback.
In the art industry, professionals are often called on to explain concepts that are intellectual, academic, or abstract. Whether you're an artist, educator, activist, curator, gallerist, or art adviser, this class will give you the power to make sure your message gets heard.
CAREER BUILDING
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This class offers artists at all career stages strategies and tactics to get their work out there. Topics include best practices for LinkedIn, Instagram, and other social media networks; crafting the spoken Elevator Pitch; building networks and community, and how to find opportunities in flat files, open calls, art fairs, and more.
“Her current real-life examples and very expansive approach gave each artist of varying levels new ways to approach getting their work out there. Such a relevant and helpful workshop!” —Lois Bielefeld, Program Director, Milwaukee Artist Resource Network
Class available in Spanish
ART COMMUNICATIONS ESSENTIALS
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This five-class package lays the foundation that every artist, nonprofit worker, gallery team, art advisor, and museum worker needs to feel confident speaking about art and building their career.
Websites, mailing lists, and social media: artists today have to produce more promotional content than ever before. This introductory class shows artists how to craft their message and disseminate it across various platforms.
Robin’s insights into social media and how to best get your name and work out there invigorated our AiR to refocus and try new things. Robin teaches the things you don't learn in school. How to talk, share, and promote your work.” —Michael Ano, Director of Public Programs and Engagement, 18th Street Arts -
Covering Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram, this class explains how to start and maintain a social media strategy, craft profiles, build networks, and more.
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Can you describe your art and projects in 30 seconds? This spoken-word workshop provides exercises and tips for developing the classic Elevator Pitch.
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Call it your bio, “about blurb,” or statement: Every creative professional needs a paragraph (or two) that sums up their practice. Using examples from various artists, the class offers templates for describing your art practice in about 150 words.
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From flat files to open calls, this class looks at ways to get your work out there.
Price List
Give the gift of professional training
I offer gift cards for group classes and personal coaching, ideal for arts workers of all levels.