Frequently Asked Questions
Membership
- What is Minds Island?
- How do I contact Minds Island?
- What does an artist get for joining Minds Island?
- What is the cost to join Minds Island?
- How do I become a member with no credit card?
- How will I know when to renew my Minds Island Membership?
Artists’ Studios
- How do I “Log In”?
- What are cookies? Why do I need them?
- How do I photograph my artwork?
- How do I create digital files of my artwork to upload into my Studio?
- Will I know how many “hits” my studio gets?
- Can people come directly to my Minds Island Studio?
- How do I know if someone wants my work?
- Can I get help uploading my images into my studio?
Promotion/Sales
- How do you promote Minds Island?
- How much artwork is sold on Minds Island?
- How do I get featured as an artist on the home page?
Answers:
MEMBERSHIP
What is Minds Island?
Minds Island is a business partner to artists and members of the trade. Our goal is to provide successful business solutions to creative arts professionals and provide you with an affordable Internet presence. Currently, a Minds Island membership provides artists an online gallery presence without the expense of developing a private website, original content articles on different aspects of the art profession and art world, and access to other artists, art market professionals, and collectors. Mind Island is currently the online “home” for artists as small business owners, and an important search tool for members of the trade.
How do I contact Minds Island?
For answers to specific questions, please feel free to contact us:
- Email:
- info@mindsisland.com
- Phone:
- Toll Free 866-871-2481 or 413-739-1494
- Snail Mail:
- Minds Island, LLC
- Indian Orchard Mill, 34-40 Front St.
- P.O. Box 51119
- Indian Orchard, MA 01151
What does an artist get for joining Minds Island?
Each member receives an online studio to display from 6 to 136 images of artwork depending on your membership level. You can a) upload, rearrange and rotate your work using simple online tools as often as you like at no additional cost, b) post your contact information and 3 favorite links in your studio bio section, c) use our online auction tools to post your work for sale in our online eBay art store at no additional cost (Silver & Gold members only), d) send your studio “link” to 50 “friends or business professionals” at a time to market your work. Members are invited to advertise in Art World News at a discount. Members will benefit from the exposure to art market professionals — consultants, gallery owners, and collectors — who will frequent the site as a major focus of art activity. See our membership benefits for more information.
What is the cost to join Minds Island?
Monthly Membership Fees (as of Jan 2006):
- $6.95/month for Basic Membership
- $9.95/month for Silver Membership
- $14.95/month for Gold Membership
You can find out more about becoming a member in the membership signup area.
How do I become a member with no credit card?
You can call the Minds Island Office Toll Free at 866-871-2481 or 413-739-1494 to speak to the staff about alternate payment methods.
How will I know when to renew my Minds Island Membership?
A window will pop up in your studio when it’s time to renew your membership. You may also receive an email and / or a call from the Minds Island staff.
ARTISTS’ STUDIOS
How do I “Log In”?
Click the LOG IN button at the upper-right corner of page. This will take you to the login page. Type your USER ID and your password in to the login form.
What are cookies? Why do I need them?
To log in as a member, Minds Island requires that your web browser allow the use cookies at our site - Please make sure that you have cookies enabled. If you are getting a message that says you need to enable cookies, read this STEP-BY-STEP instruction guide which should work with Internet Explorer or AOL for Windows. For some other information about how to enable cookies, try these links:
- How to enable cookies - at AOL
- How cookies work - at HowStuffWorks.com
A cookie is a small bit of text that is stored on your computer. Cookies help our web site to keep track of stuff while you are logged in, customizing your studio, or applying for trade jobs. Once a cookie is set, it can only be accessed by the site it came from. Minds Island has conformed to the World Wide Web Consortium‘s P3P (Platform for Privacy Preferences) standard.
Cookies used at our site expire once you log out, do nothing for a period of 20 minutes, or when you close the browser. We don‘t use them to track anything other than your member activities at the website. If you are concerned about this -- please read our privacy policy!
How do I photograph my artwork?
We have a helpful article to help get you started.
How do I create digital files of my artwork to upload into my Studio?
- Upload Instructions - How to get images into your studio
- Digital Image Format Guide - technical information and tips for Minds Island members
Will I know how many “hits” my studio gets?
Currently, we don‘t have a gage in each individual studio yet, but it is in the works. However, we are keeping track of most frequently visited artists‘ studios and artwork within the Minds Island site. Check the browse section and see if you are listed in "most popular"!
Can people link directly to my Minds Island Studio?
Yes. Your direct Minds Island Studio Address is:
http://www.mindsisland.com/members/USERID
Use above address, replace USERID with your own User ID in this address; visitors will go directly to your studio.
How do I know if someone wants to buy my work?
An interested buyer will either contact you directly through the information that you post in your bio / studio contact section, or by clicking the “purchase” button next to an image in your studio. Clicking the “purchase” button will generate an email to you with their contact information and a thumbnail of the image they are interested in. The rest is up to you!
Can I get help uploading my images into my studio?
For an additional fee of $50, the Minds Island staff will help you upload your images into your studio and walk you through the process. Call the Minds Island Office Toll Free @ 866-871-2481 or 413-739-1494 for more information and help.
PROMOTION / SALES
How do you promote Minds Island?
We send hundreds of emails to people all over the globe on a weekly basis. We advertise through print in art trade journals such as Art World News and through the Internet. We attend, canvas, and take booths at major art trade shows such as Art Expo New York as well as outdoor art shows throughout the U.S. and Europe. We link with other highly trafficked web sites. We optimize our site so that it is prominently located on major search engines. We have strategic business relationships with our products and service vendors such as Hartford Framing and Legion Paper that help cross-advertise Minds Island.
How much artwork is sold on Minds Island?
Because Minds Island takes no commission on sales, we can only rely on our members volunteering this information. What we can confidently say is that many of the Minds Island artists have reported and confirmed: 1) artwork has been sold as a result of their studio on Minds Island, and 2) they have obtained agent representation, publishing contracts and gallery representation. Another good measure of our success is how long artists have been members (‘member since’ is posted under their name inside their studio), and what members have to say about our service (check out Minds Island Testimonials).
How do I get featured as an artist on the home page?
The Minds Island Staff makes the choice. We are always happy to be prompted, and we tend to look at artists who make good use of the Minds Island site.