UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
LEARN TO BUILD ESSENTIAL SKILLS
The former editor of ARTnews and a longtime coach and mentor, Robin Cembalest helps arts professionals of all levels to craft the content they need to build their careers.
Robin’s group workshops on Eventbrite, held on Zoom, are versions of the popular classes she teaches widely at art schools, residencies, and professional organizations. In each class she offers strategies, best practices, and personalized one-on-one-feedback.
Robin’s workshops are one-of-a-kind, small-group spaces that help you build valuable skills in social media, art writing, and public speaking
Testimonials
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Robin's classes are practical, fun, and transformative. 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. Whether you're feeling stuck and need a serious overhaul or just want to shake things up a bit, I cannot recommend these classes more.
—Alison Kuo, Director of Programs, International Studio & Curatorial Program
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Robin is a very engaging presenter! She boiled the basics of using Instagram for artists down into an easy-to-digest format. I made three straightforward changes to my Instagram profile immediately after the class and had a positive response online fairly quickly.
—Stephanie Todhunter, Programming Manager, Cambridge Art Association
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Robin developed a rich and meaningful course on communication strategies. Her energetic style and attentive coaching eagerly motivated participants to adopt her suggestions for developing an authentic voice. Participants especially enjoyed Robin’s playful interpersonal communication exercises that offered practical tips on building audiences and sustaining professional relationships, on and offline, through clear and impactful communication.
—Mario Torries, former manager, Artist in the Marketplace program, Bronx Museum
Art Writing for Art Professionals
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.
Sign up at Eventbrite. 8 seats, $75. This event occurs on Zoom.
Crafting Your Artist Statement
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.
Sign up at Eventbrite. 8 seats, $75. This event occurs on Zoom.
Crafting Your Elevator Pitch: Public Speaking for Art Professionals
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.
Sign up at Eventbrite. 8 seats, $75. This event occurs on Zoom.
Instagram for Art Professionals
An intensive workshop designed for arts workers of all levels. Using examples from artists, curators, gallerists, publicists, and others in the art-world ecosystem, Robin will show how individuals can use organic content to increase visibility and thought leadership. Participants will learn to craft a dynamic profile, create lively content that conveys their message and goals, write about artworks and exhibitions, sharpen art direction and photo editing skills, and promote themselves and their projects. 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
Sign up at Eventbrite. 8 seats, $75. This event occurs on Zoom.
Instagram for Artists
In this intensive workshop, Robin shares creative and practical strategies 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. Attendees will be empowered to create effective organic content that connects them with people who will show their art, sell their art, buy their art, write about it, or offer other career opportunities.
“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
Monday, March 11, 4-6 PM ET
Sign up at Eventbrite. 8 seats, $75. This event occurs on Zoom.
Art Writing for Art Professionals
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.
“Direct, insightful, and excellent food for thought. Robin gives you a quick take of how a professional arts writer views your materials, and provides some excellent feedback to consider.” —Kathryn Gremley, Penland Gallery & Visitors Center Director
Sign up at Eventbrite. 8 seats, $75. This event occurs on Zoom.
Instagram for Artists
In this intensive workshop, Robin shares creative and practical strategies for promoting yourself and your work. Using examples from a wide range of artists, she’ll offer essential tips for crafting profiles, chronicling your artistic 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. Attendees will be empowered to create effective organic content that connects them with people who will show their art, sell their art, buy their art, write about it, or offer other career opportunities.
“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
Monday, March 11, 4-6 PM ET
Sign up at Eventbrite. 8 seats, $75. This event occurs on Zoom.
Crafting Your Artist Statement
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.
Sign up at Eventbrite. 8 seats, $75. This event occurs on Zoom.
Instagram for Artists
In this intensive workshop, Robin shares creative and practical strategies 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. Attendees will be empowered to create effective organic content that connects them with people who will show their art, sell their art, buy their art, write about it, or offer other career opportunities.
“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
Sign up at Eventbrite. 8 seats, $75. This event occurs on Zoom.
Crafting Your Artist Statement
Every creative professional needs that foundational text that sums up who they are, what they do, and why they do it.
This class will give you the tools to craft and refine your bio and statement to explain your work as powerfully--and artfully--as you can.
A widely published writer and the former editor of ARTnews, Robin teaches this class at residencies, art schools, and art advocacy organizations. She'll share templates for both bio and statement; offer examples for describing artistic identity, process, and the work's larger meaning; and give actionable tips for each participant's text.
“Robin’s delivery is relaxed and comfortable as she demystifies the writing process for artists. After she broke down all the parts of well-written editorial structures, I left feeling confident that I had the ingredients to cook up my own written content for short and long artist bios and statements for all sorts of contexts, as well as some key tweaks to optimize my Instagram and website.”
—Eva Avenue, artist and student recruiter, Art Students League
Sign up at Eventbrite. 8 seats, $75. This event occurs on Zoom.
Instagram for Art Professionals
In this class created especially for professionals in the art sector, Robin shares best practices, creative strategies, and tips for lively content to help you reach career goals.
Learn to…
Craft a dynamic profile
Create posts that convey your message and connect with your target audience
Write clearly about artworks and exhibitions
Sharpen art direction, photo editing, and video skills
Promote yourself and your projects
Build thought leadership
Track trends and opportunities
After a presentation and Q&A, Robin will review the Instagram of each participant.
"Working with Robin is the equivalent of tapping into an entire editorial team with vast knowledge and experience in all things art and media. She is a social media guru with a sharp eye and discerning voice, an essential guide for our world of information and media overload." — Lisa Kim, Gallery Director, Ford Foundation Gallery, New York
"Robin brings a unique skill set to her social media clients — a deep understanding of art history and contemporary art-world culture, the writing skills of a top-level journalist, and a down-to-earth approach." — Andrew Edlin, Owner of Outsider Art Fair and Andrew Edlin Gallery
Sign up at Eventbrite. 8 seats, $75. This event occurs on Zoom.
Public Speaking for Art Professionals
In this lively workshop, Robin brings her decades of experience as journalist and mentor to help you craft and deliver your message with confidence and authenticity.
She’ll explain how to clarify your talking points in accessible language, and offer for tips for talking to the press.
With her distinctive teaching method, Robin uses the method of rehearsed improvisation to help artists develop their voice.
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 empower you to make the most of every opportunity.
“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
“In my tenure as the graduate student program coordinator for CalArts, having a series of Robin Cembalest's workshops as preparation for graduation was the best investment I made to help my cohort transition from the academic to the professional art world.” —Juan Herrera, Former Graduate Student Program Coordinator, CalArts
Sign up at Eventbrite. 8 seats, $75. This event occurs on Zoom.
Art Writing for Art Professionals
Press releases. Web copy. Social media. Artist or gallerist, educator or curator, all art professionals need to write about their work in clear, accessible language.
In this empowering workshop, Robin shares tools and skills that demystify the distinctive process of writing about visual art.
As editor of ARTnews, Robin trained generations of writers, editors, and interns. With checklists, templates, and examples ranging from social media to press releases to profiles and reviews, Robin will explain how to describe artworks, shows, and yourself.
After Robin’s presentation and Q&A, each participant will have the chance to present their text for one-on-one feedback. Please limit texts to 150 words.
“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
“Direct, insightful, and excellent food for thought. Robin gives you a quick take of how a professional arts writer views your materials and provides some excellent feedback to consider.” —Kathryn Gremley, Penland Gallery & Visitors Center Director
“Her deep background in editorial work, and razor-sharp understanding of social media and other distribution platforms, combine into a fully integrated view of communications. She considers the topic from multiple points of view—not just how to promote an idea or a project, but how promotion fits into a broader pattern of community-building.” —Glenn Adamson, Independent Author and Curator
Sign up at Eventbrite. 8 seats, $75. This event occurs on Zoom.
Crafting Your Artist Statement
Learn to describe yourself and your work in the foundational text every artist needs
Instagram for Artists
Popular art-world Instagrammer Robin Cembalest (@rcembalest) shares creative and practical strategies for promoting yourself and your work in this lively professional training workshop.
Robin, the former editor of ARTnews, will explain how she built her following of 53K and uses her Instagram to build visibility and thought leadership. Using examples from a wide range of artists, she’ll offer essential tips for crafting profiles, chronicling your 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 networks and finding new opportunities. Then she’ll review the Instagram of every participant and offer steps to move forward.
Crafting Your Elevator Pitch: Public Speaking Tips for Artists
Can you describe yourself and your art out loud in 30 seconds?
Whether you’re in a Zoom room, panel discussion, or in-person meeting, all creative professionals need that classic Elevator Pitch. In this lively workshop, Robin Cembalest helps participants use exercises and templates to build skills in public speaking.
The workshop begins with a how-to presentation with the tools to craft the pitch. In the second hour, after Q&A, each participant will take their turn workshopping their pitch. The class also covers ways to apply your pitch tactics to longer interviews with the press, as well as podcasts and other public conversations.
This workshop has been created specifically for visual artists, but creative professionals of all disciplines will find the material and lessons useful.
“Robin delivers her expertise with humor and humanity. She tailors her advice to the particular needs of each audience—whether that be an institution, a group of artists, curators, or writers. Invaluable insights! —Glenn Adamson, Independent Author and Curator
8 spots. $75. Sign up on Eventbrite. This event occurs on Zoom.
Crafting Your Artist Statement
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, former ARTnews editor Robin Cembalest 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. What was even better is they were taking notes from your critiques of all the artist statements, not just their own. —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
“Robin’s advice on my artist statement was both insightful and transformative. Her thorough feedback allowed me to engage further into my work, taking on the role of the viewer to effectively communicate the intent and depth of my practice, while also highlighting my art process.—Lindsay Adams, artist
“For the first time since I began making art, I am excited about writing my statement and my bio. I learned so much!”—Beatrice Scaccia, artist
8 spots. $75. Sign up on Eventbrite. This event occurs on Zoom.
Crafting Your Artist Statement
Call it your bio, “about blurb,” or statement: every creative professional that one 150-word paragraph that sums up who they are and what they do.
Learn the foundational tips for crafting an artist bio while making sure it stays true to your practice.
In her presentation, Robin will show sample artist bios to demonstrate a variety of approaches and share templates that artists can use moving forward. Attendees will also receive one-on-one feedback for their bio or another short writing sample.
This event occurs on Zoom.
8 spots. $75. Sign up on Eventbrite.
Art Writing for Art Professionals
Press releases. Web copy. Social media. Artist or gallerist, educator or curator, all art professionals need to write about their work in clear, accessible language.
In this empowering workshop, Robin will share tools and skills that demystify the distinctive process of writing about visual art.
Like all of Robin's classes, this workshop is in two parts:
Hour 1: Robin will share a presentation with templates and tips for crafting any kind of art text.
Hour 2: Each participant will have the opportunity to share their own text, and Robin will offer advice and actionable next steps. Texts may include artist statements, web copy, press releases, and other expository writing. Please limit samples to about 150 words.
A longtime coach and mentor, Robin constructs a safe and gentle space to get valuable feedback, inspiring and enabling you to improve your communications across all platforms.
This event occurs on Zoom.
8 spots. $75. Sign up on Eventbrite.
Instagram for Artists
Robin’s popular 2-hour workshop created specifically for visual artists.
You’ll learn how to:
Craft a dynamic profile
Chronicle your art process
Explain the larger meaning of your work
Leverage Reels, Stories, and hashtags, along with tools for expanding visibility and networks
After this workshop, you’ll be empowered to create effective organic content that connects you with people who will show your art, sell your art, buy your art, write about it, or offer other career opportunities.
This event occurs on Zoom.
8 spots. $75. Sign up on Eventbrite.
Crafting Your Elevator Pitch: Public Speaking Tips for Artists
Whether you’re in a Zoom room, panel discussion, or in-person meeting, all creative professionals need that classic Elevator Pitch. In this lively workshop, Robin helps artists conquer their fear of speaking in public. With exercises, tips, and one-on-one feedback, she shows participants how to build this essential skill.
In the first hour of the workshop, she offers a how-to presentation with the tools to craft the pitch. In the second hour, after Q&A, each participant will take their turn workshopping their pitch.
Robin will also explain how to apply your pitch tactics to longer interviews with the press, as well as podcasts and other public conversations.
This workshop has been created specifically for visual artists, but creative professionals of all disciplines will find the material and lessons useful.
This event occurs on Zoom.
8 spots. $75. Sign up on Eventbrite.
Crafting Your Artist Statement
Call it your bio, “about blurb,” or statement: every creative professional that one 150-word paragraph that sums up who they are and what they do.
Learn the foundational tips for crafting an artist bio while making sure it stays true to your practice.
In her presentation, Robin will show sample artist bios to demonstrate a variety of approaches and share templates that artists can use moving forward. Attendees will also receive one-on-one feedback for their bio or another short writing sample.
This event occurs on Zoom.
8 spots. $75. Sign up on Eventbrite.
Crafting Your Artist Statement (4PM)
SOLD OUT! NEW CLASS SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 14 7 PM ET
Call it your bio, “about blurb,” or statement: every creative professional that one 150-word paragraph that sums up who they are and what they do.
Learn the foundational tips for crafting an artist bio while making sure it stays true to your practice.
In her presentation, Robin will show sample artist bios to demonstrate a variety of approaches and share templates that artists can use moving forward. Attendees will also receive one-on-one feedback for their bio or another short writing sample.
This event occurs on Zoom.
8 spots. $75. Sign up on Eventbrite.
Instagram for Art Professionals
Are you making the most of your Instagram?
In this class created especially for professionals in the art sector, former ARTnews editor and popular art-world Instagrammer Robin Cembalest (@rcembalest) shares advice to build visibility, networks, and careers.
Learn to:
Craft a dynamic profile
Create lively content that conveys your message and helps you reach your goals
Write about artworks and exhibitions
Sharpen art direction and photo editing skills
Promote yourself and your projects.
Whether you're an educator, curator, artist, gallerist, advisor, or auction-house specialist, this two-hour class will offer long-term rewards.
This workshop includes a presentation, Q&A, and "flash session" where Robin reviews each participant's Instagram and offers actionable tips.
This event occurs on Zoom.
8 spots. $75. Sign up on Eventbrite.
Art Writing for Art Professionals
Press releases. Web copy. Social media. Artist or gallerist, educator or curator, all art professionals need to write about their work in clear, accessible language.
In this empowering workshop, former ARTnews editor Robin Cembalest will share tools and skills that demystify the distinctive process of writing about visual art.
Like all of Robin's classes, this workshop is in two parts:
Hour 1: Robin will share a presentation with templates and tips for crafting any kind of art text.
Hour 2: Each participant will have the opportunity to share their own text, and Robin will offer advice and actionable next steps. Texts may include artist statements, web copy, press releases, and other expository writing. Please limit samples to about 150 words.
A longtime coach and mentor, Robin constructs a safe and gentle space to get valuable feedback, inspiring and enabling you to improve your communications across all platforms.
This event occurs on Zoom.
8 spots. $75. Sign up on Eventbrite.
Instagram for Artists
Join Instagram influencer Robin Cembalest (@rcembalest) for a 2-hour workshop created specifically for visual artists.
You’ll learn how to:
Craft a dynamic profile
Chronicle your art process
Explain the larger meaning of your work
Leverage Reels, Stories, and hashtags, along with tools for expanding visibility and networks
After this workshop, you’ll be empowered to create effective organic content that connects you with people who will show your art, sell your art, buy your art, write about it, or offer other career opportunities.
Workshop Schedule:
Hour 1: Using examples from a wide range of artists, Robin will share essential tips for crafting profiles, chronicling your art process, and explaining the larger meaning of your work.
Hour 2: Robin will provide 1:1 coaching, reviewing each participant's Instagram and suggesting steps to move forward.
This event occurs on Zoom.
8 spots. $75. Sign up on Eventbrite.
Instagram for Art Professionals
Using examples from a variety of art-world figures, I’ll show you how to create lively content that conveys your message and helps you reach your goals. The workshop covers crafting profiles, writing about artworks and exhibitions, art direction and photo editing, posting photos and videos, creating and using hashtags, and promoting yourself and your projects.
Whether you're an educator, curator, artist, gallerist, advisor, or auction-house specialist, this two-hour class will offer long-term rewards.
Workshop includes presentation, Q&A, and "flash session" where I review each participant's Instagram and offer actionable tips.
$75. 8 spots. Tickets and more info at Eventbrite.
Crafting Your Artist Statement
Call it your bio, “about blurb,” or statement: Every creative professional needs a paragraph (or two) that sums up their practice.
I’ll break down what goes into the artist bio and explain how to put it together in this empowering workshop.
In my presentation, I’ll show sample artist bios to demonstrate a variety of approaches, and share templates that artists can adapt to shape their own statements.
After a Q&A, I’ll offer one-on-one feedback on a brief bio (or writing sample) of each participant.
$75. 8 spots. Tickets and more info at Eventbrite.
Instagram for Artists
An intensive training workshop created especially for visual artists. Using examples from a wide range of artists, I’ll share essential tips for crafting profiles, chronicling your art process, and explaining the larger meaning of your work. I’ll cover the latest strategies for Reels, Stories, and hashtags, along with tools for expanding visibility and networks.
My editorial approach empowers artists to create effective organic content--connecting them with people who will show their art, sell their art, buy their art, write about it, or offer other career opportunities.
After a presentation, I’ll review the Instagram of each participant and offer actionable tips to move forward.
$75. 8 spots. Tickets and more info at Eventbrite.
Workshop Your Art Writing
I designed this class for students of my foundational writing workshops, Crafting Your Artist Statement and Art Writing for Art Professionals, who have acted on my suggestions and want advice for pushing their text forward. However, it’s also open to anyone with an art text of 300 words or less: press release, artist statement, review.
I’ve taught dozens of workshops at residencies, nonprofits, and art schools, helping arts workers of all levels to find their voice and express themselves effectively. Whether you’re a curator, educator, advisor, or artist, this class will help you ensure that you are maximizing the power of each word.
$100. 6 spots. Tickets and more info at Eventbrite.
Group Classes
Classes in writing, social media, public speaking, self-promotion, and other essential skills for MFA programs, residencies, and professional organizations, in person and online. Click below for full list.
Give the gift of professional training
I offer gift cards for group classes and personal coaching, ideal for arts workers of all levels.