GYST 2.8 Has Hundreds of Features to Help You Get Your Sh*t Together!

GYST User Guide
User Information Survey
Planning
Checklists and Guides
Exhibition Forms
Presentation Ideas
Master To Do List
Artwork Inventory
Getting The Word Out
Proposal Tracking
Grants & Proposals
Legal Issues and Contracts
Artist's Statements
Resume
Mailing List
Documentation
Research Notes
Business Issues
Links and Resources
Estate Planning
Shipping and Crating
 

GYST User Guide PDF: Over two hundred pages chock full of User Information that you didn't even know you needed!

User Information: To personalize this file, fill in your user information. It will automatically pop up on all other parts of the database.

Survey: Take the GYST survey to get an idea of what you know and don't. It is a good idea to take the survey at the beginning. Gauge your learning curve by taking the survey as often as possible. The survey will automatically add up your score to see how you are doing.

Planning: Why plan? The section will cover short-term and long-term planning, and just why we should think about planning in the first place. It provides easy forms for thinking about the future, and how to accomplish it.

• Information on why you should plan
• Three-month plan
• One-year plan
• Three-year plan
• Ten-year plan
• Life plan
• A list of steps for each goal

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Checklists & Guides: Checklists and guides of all kinds take you through lists of what you should consider when doing various projects, exhibitions or events. Use these handy checklists for every project or exhibition.

• Checklist for an exhibition
• Checklist for a performance
• Checklist for a screening
• Checklist for an event
• Checklist for an artist's lecture
• Checklist for a press release and packet

Exhibition Forms: Forms to help you keep track of your exhibitions, budgets, and to do lists for each project. Create an Artwork List for each of your exhibitions and print it out in a number of ways.

• A form for each of your exhibitions
• A list of your exhibitions
• An Artwork Checklist for each show or project
• Exhibition or project budget
• An Exhibition To Do List

Presentation Ideas: A list of what to expect from different venues, pros and cons and ideas for showing outside a traditional context.

• Museums
• Commercial Galleries
• Nonprofit and Artist-run Spaces
• Alternative Venues
• College and University Galleries
• Private Art Dealers and Agents
• Rental Galleries
• Corporate Art Collections
• Slide Registries
• Open Studios
• On-line Galleries and Sales Sites
• Vanity Galleries
• Juried Exhibitions
• Co-op Galleries
• Public Art Programs
• Art Fairs and Festivals
• Auctions and Benefits
• Other Sites to Consider

Master To Do List: A handy "to do" list to keep track of all the details. It can be sorted by project, dates, and/or priority. You also have a separate Exhibition To Do List in the Exhibition Forms section so you don't have to lump everything together. Includes three different views to keep track of your life.

Artwork Inventory: Enter each artwork you finish in this database and never lose an artwork again. Keep track of your inventory by titles, sizes etc. You can import a photo, describe the work, and track by number. You can also keep track of where the work is, when it should have been returned, and if it has sold. Don't wait until you have made a name for yourself to begin this process. Even Robert Rauschenberg doesn't know where all his early work is.

• Artwork Form to keep track of all the details of your work, including prices, if it is available, editions, condition of the work, expenses and other information.
• Artwork List will list each work you enter into a list where you can see all of it at one time.
• Print multiple image reports including one, two, four or 9 images at once, or as a list with or without prices and an image Artwork Expenses: keep track of the expenses for each artwork so you will know that your pricing is correct.
• Artwork Tracking: keep track of just where your artwork is. Enter a time when it should be returned and never forget about where that work is again. You can then contact the person who did not return it and find out what is up.
• A Sales section: includes an invoice/receipt form and list of your sales.

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Getting the Word Out: A guide to writing and sending out press releases, press packets, invitations, and other public relations ideas. Once you make the work, make sure others know about it.

• Information about publicizing your project
• Instructions on doing a press release
• A form for your press release
• A list of your press releases

Proposal Tracking: Ever forgotten where you have sent proposals and slides? Keep track of all your grants, proposals, deadlines, and when you should hear from funders or organizations.

Grants & Proposals: This is a good place to keep track of all the research information you gather about funders, grants and proposals. Have the contact information, and deadlines at your fingertips.

• Contact information about everyone you send a proposal or grant out to
• Dates you should hear a reply and the status of the proposal
• A list of your proposals and grants
• Track invoices and payments you receive

Legal Issues and Contracts: This has information about copyright, and various artists' rights laws. It also includes a list of contract content you can use as a checklist.

• Legal Issues:
• Copyright
• Visual Artist Rights Act
• Resale Royalties Act
• Other Rights

• Contracts:
• Introduction to Contracts
• List of Contracts (checklists):
• Contract for the Sale of an Artwork
• Invoice for the Sale of an Artwork
• Contract to Commission an Artwork
• Contract for the Receipt and Holding of an Artwork
• Artist Gallery Contract
• Contract for an Exhibition Loan
• Contract for an Artist's Lecture
• Contract to Create a Media Piece for Distribution
• Licensing Contract for Images
• Release Form
• Property Release Form

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Artist's Statements: A good guide to writing an artist's statement. Helpful hints are included, as well as suggestions for writer's block.

• How to write an artist's statement
• A form for writing your artist's statement
• A list of your artist's statement
• An article on writer's block

Resume: A guide for creating useful resumes for jobs, teaching, and artist projects. Useful hints for keeping your resume up-to-date.

• Hints for writing a resume
• A form for writing your resume
• A list of your different resumes
• A sample resume

Mailing List: A good mailing list is a must for getting the word out about your projects and exhibitions. This searchable database has all the categories for a basic mailing list. Sort by category, zip code, address, or name.

• A form for entering information on all your contacts
• A form for a second address
• Import mailing lists from other sources
• Categories or similars to keep track of who they are (artist, press, gallery, etc)
• A list of your contacts
• A Table form to view information
• Letter Form
• Mailing Labels
• Envelopes
• A report list with name, company and phone only

Documentation: Although slide labels will be history soon, many applications still require them. This section will introduce the current changes in documenting your work.

• Information on portfolios
• Information on documentation changes
• Information on documenting your work
• Slide label information
• Slide label entry form
• Slide label print form
• Information on digital portfolios
• A portfolio checklist
• Applying to art school

Research Notes: A place to keep track of your research notes. Great for writers or for collecting gobs of information and sorting it later. You can sort by keywords, project name, the notes text itself, if it is a quote or not and the source.

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Business Issues: Lots of categories of issues ranging from business, to health to ethics and fame.

• Aging
• Bartering and Trading
• Billing and Collection
• Business License
• Charitable Contributions
• Commissions
• Community Service
• Curating
• Disabilities
• Ethics
• Experimental Materials
• Fame
• Finances
• Finding a Job
• Fiscal Sponsorship
• Galleries and Selling
• Understanding Representation: Dealers, Agents and Consultants
• Approaching a Gallery
• Marketing Your Work
• Selling Work Yourself
• Health and Safety Issues
• Housing
• Insurance
• Inventory
• Keeping Records
• Loans
• Networking
• Nonprofit
• Presenting Yourself
• Pricing Your Work
• Printing
• Renting or leasing a studio
• Self-employment
• Studio visits and open studios
• Taxes
• Teaching
• Unemployment
• The Web
• Works for Hire
• Writing

Links and Resources: Links and resources for most of your business-related needs and more. Includes publications and organizations, Web sites, and more.

• A reading list of suggested articles, books, or web sites with information.
• A links and resources data entry page where you can delete and enter your own resources, as well as use the ones included.
• A list of links and resources to scan easily, and sort by category.

Estate Planning: Artists should consider how their work would be treated after they are gone. Here is basic information and resources for how to consider your options. Includes information on estate planning and resources.

Shipping and Crating: Getting your work from place to place is an important aspect of an artist's career. Knowing how to pack and ship your work will save you time and money, and heartache. Includes information on shipping and crating and resources.

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