Personal Learning Network

In any field, a personal learning network, or PLN is necessary for success. It enables one to be in contact and make connections with new people. This is important to staying aware of what is happening in one’s disciplines. When I was in intro to IDS, twitter was the standard platform for networking. The way Twitter is organized is hard for me to get involved with, and if I had to use it now my interactions wouldn’t be that genuine. That being said, the more accommodating space for connecting with individuals in my field is Instagram. In recent years there has been an influx of artists joining the platform because it is such a visual and interactive space. I was already connecting with local and nationally established artists on my personal Instagram account. I realized I needed to show my work in a more organized, professional way, therefore I made my own art account. I have also added my website URL to my Instagram bio as well as an Instagram widget to my website. Aside from being able to follow artists and be engaged that way, it allows my work to be public, and using hashtags and locations I can build a following. Essentially, it’s an interactive virtual gallery space for artists to explore.

In the past few years, as Instagram has become a more popular social network for artists to use, developers have made changes to make everything even more accessible. There are now tags that track what you view and follow most, to recommend you new profiles to follow. There are also live streams of large shows such as Art Basel. Live streaming is a feature individual artists use as well, they typically work on a piece, letting the viewer see what they are doing, while also answering questions. Most importantly is to note that galleries, auction houses, and collectors are joining the platform as well to keep up with what’s contemporary.

The plan for my PLN is to access it daily and like 10 posts, because that’s already what I was doing when connecting with artists on my personal platform, so I know that’s attainable. I plan to follow 5 artists a week, and to push myself to comment and ask questions when I have them, in order to put myself out there. Posting stories is important as well to show progress and technique, and it works as a way to ask for feedback and critique. This way you have the unique experience or receiving those responses almost immediately, at any time. I know I will be committed to this kind of PLN because I genuinely enjoy it and I think it will have real benefits and results for me.