Dear Agony Aunt,

I am an early career visual artist having finished at art school in 2019. We were always told it was important to network but the COVID lockdowns closed most opportunities. Also as a shy person, I find it really difficult, especially at openings when I don’t know anyone. Is there a magic bullet for someone like me?

Signed Reticent, Petersham

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Dear Reticent Petersham,

You have my sympathy on both counts. The last three years have been really difficult for almost everyone working in the arts, so the timing was particularly tough for someone like you trying to get started in establishing a career.

You are by no means alone in finding it challenging to feel at ease amongst people you don’t know. My advice when approaching strangers is to imagine that they are just as scared as you. Almost everyone suffers from ‘imposter syndrome’, so take a deep breath, introduce yourself as an emerging artist and ask what they think about the work of the artist who is having the exhibition. Or pop a question on a matter of related interest to get things rolling.

Now that things have opened up again you will need to launch into networking to build your support community: your potential audiences and clients, as well as sympathetic fellow artists and potential collaborators. As I’m sure you know, this can be done both face to face and virtually. Interestingly, your question prefigures the topic of the next professional development workshop being run for free for members of the Inner West Creative Network. To get some hot tips, come along to “I Hate Networking” in May. You’ll learn tips for success like navigating social dynamics and help with overcoming shyness. I can guarantee you will feel a lot more confident afterwards.