Digitally Managing Your Art: Beyond the Spreadsheet

My career as an archivist has introduced me to more database systems than I can count. I've enjoyed learning different platforms over the years and have even had the opportunity to beta test a few.
As an archivist, the number one piece of advice I can give any artist is this:

A spreadsheet is not an inventory management system.

A spreadsheet is an excellent tool for organizing information. An inventory management system is designed to manage a business. As technology has evolved, artists have more choices than ever before. Generic website builders, art-specific inventory systems, CRM platforms, online storefronts... the options can feel overwhelming, especially if technology isn't your comfort zone.

Rather than asking, "Which system is the best?" I encourage artists to ask, "Which system will best support the way I work today, and the way I hope to work five years from now?"

The best system isn't necessarily the one with the most features. It's the one that supports the way you work.
​
For some artists, a beautifully designed website and a simple inventory are all that's needed. Others need to manage hundreds of works, multiple galleries, collector relationships, exhibitions, commissions, invoicing, provenance, condition reports, and estates. Those artists often benefit from a dedicated art management platform.

Over the years, I've worked with a variety of systems. Each has strengths, limitations, and an ideal user. Rather than recommending the same solution to everyone, I help my clients evaluate their goals, budget, technical comfort, and long-term needs before choosing the platform that's right for them.
Because the software isn't the investment.
Your business is.

The right system should make your work easier to manage today while helping preserve your artistic legacy for years to come.
If you're unsure where to begin, I'd be happy to help you evaluate the options and find the solution that best fits your practice.