Welcome to Bench Talk — the podcast where I dive into real, honest conversations with inspiring artists, to reveal what it really takes to build a thriving creative career.
I’m your host, Tom Gerrard — an international artist from Australia and Co-Founder of The Art Career Academy, an online school dedicated to helping visual artists rise up and go pro. I kicked off this podcast back in 2016, when I was dreaming of going full-time with my art. And through these chats, I found the path and walked it.
#225 | ART CAREER ACADEMY | How Collectors Buy Art Today
👉🏼 We’re raising funds through AusArt Day [22nd Oct] to support artists with scholarships into our Going Pro program. We'd love your help in two ways: donate to directly support emerging artists, or share our campaign with your audience. Either way, you’re removing barriers and making professional art education accessible. Thank you! https://artists.australianculturalfund.org.au/s/project/a2EMn00000kNIRa/going-pro-art-career-scholarship-fund 🔥What does the actual data say about the art market in 2026?Instead of guessing or listening to rumours, Claire and I dive into the real numbers from the Art Basel and UBS Survey of Global Collecting 2026, based on data from over 3,100 collectors worldwide.The insights are game-changing for artists. Gen Z is now the biggest spenders in the art market, outspending every other generation by more than double. Direct-from-artist sales have more than doubled in one year. Instagram is now a genuine sales channel, not just a discovery tool. And collectors are using AI tools to research purchases at unprecedented rates.But what does it all mean for your art career?You’ll hear Claire and I discuss: ⚡️The shocking shift: Gen Z outspending all other generations by more than double⚡️Why younger collectors are investing in living artists, not deceased masters⚡️The wealth transfer that's about to reshape the entire market⚡️How direct-from-artist sales have more than doubled in one year⚡️Why galleries are still the most important sales channel (83% of high net worth collectors use them)⚡️The rise of art fairs: 58% of collectors made purchases linked to art fairs, up from 39% in 2023⚡️How Instagram evolved from discovery tool to genuine sales channel⚡️The role of AI in collector research: 22% now use AI tools, up from 4% in 2024⚡️Why professional presentation matters more than ever⚡️The importance of diversifying your income streams⚡️How galleries and artists are building partnerships rather than hierarchical relationships⚡️The evolving gallery model: pop-ups, art fairs, and behind-the-scenes relationships⚡️Why human-made art is becoming more valuable, not less⚡️Real collector behaviour vs market myths🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube------🔗 WANT TO GO DEEPER?👉 Want to learn how Tom and our art students make a great income from their art? Get a copy of our free cheatsheet here; https://www.artcareeracademy.com/creative-cashflow-guide👉 This episode references the Art Basel and UBS Survey of Global Collecting 2026, based on data from over 3,100 collectors worldwide. Read the full survey here - https://www.ubs.com/global/en/our-firm/art/art-market-research/survey-global-collecting-2026.html------HOST: Tom Gerrard✦ IG | @artcareeracademy and @tom-gerrard✦ Watch on Youtube | @artcareeracademy ✦ Website | artcareeracademy.com and tom-gerrard.comGUEST: Claire Bradshaw (Art Career Academy)✦ Instagram | @artcareeracademy @_clairebradshaw_✦ Website: https://www.artcareeracademy.com/If you loved this episode, then we'd be super grateful for a 5 star review and do subscribe so that you never miss an episode. Thanks for being here!
15 Jul 2026
#224 | AI Won't Kill Art
👉🏼 Enrolments for our signature program Going Pro Self Led are opening soon. Join the waitlist to get first access here-https://www.artcareeracademy.com/waitlist-goingpro-sl 🔥Is AI coming for your art career? OR is it actually the best time to be an artist? In this episode of Bench Talk, Claire and I tackle one of the biggest questions artists are asking right now:What does artificial intelligence mean for the future of art and artists? Instead of feeding into the fear and uncertainty, we look at history to show you why THIS moment is actually an opportunity and some specific mindset shifts and actions you need to make right now.You’ll hear Claire and I discuss: ⚡️ Why uncertainty triggers a freeze response and how to overcome it ⚡️ The predictable pattern with every major change throughout history ⚡️ How photography was supposed to kill painting but gave birth toimpressionism ⚡️ Why human-made art is about to become more valuable, not less ⚡️ The difference between AI art and human art: story, perspective, emotion ⚡️ Why artists are uniquely positioned to thrive in a tech-driven world ⚡️ The coming surge in art collectors, curators, gallery owners and creative roles ⚡️ Practical action steps to take right now ⚡️ Why showing your process and sharing your story matters 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube------🔗 WANT TO GO DEEPER?👉 AI isn't going anywhere. But neither are you! Download 'AI Proof Your Art Career' ~ our free guide for artists who want to stay fully human👉 Want to learn how Tom and our art students make a great income from their art? Get a copy of our free cheatsheet here; https://www.artcareeracademy.com/creative-cashflow-guide------HOST: Tom Gerrard✦ IG | @artcareeracademy and @tom-gerrard✦ Watch on Youtube | @artcareeracademy ✦ Website | artcareeracademy.com and tom-gerrard.comGUEST: Claire Bradshaw (Art Career Academy)✦ Instagram | @artcareeracademy @_clairebradshaw_✦ Website: https://www.artcareeracademy.com/If you loved this episode, then we'd be super grateful for a 5 star review and do subscribe so that you never miss an episode. Thanks for being here!
8 Jul 2026
#223 | How a Tattoo Apprenticeship Changed the Way This Artist Creates (Kitt Bennett)
👉🏼 Enrolments for our signature program Going Pro Self Led are opening soon. Join the waitlist to get first access here-https://www.artcareeracademy.com/waitlist-goingpro-sl 🔥Kitt Bennett has painted a skeleton on the ground the size of a city block, a mud crab that looks like it’s about to eat him, and ground murals he’s happy to leave fading in the weather for a decade. On purpose.If you’ve ever obsessed over a post’s view count, or felt paralysed trying to get a drawing “right,” this episode is for you.Kitt joins Tom to talk about street art, tattooing, and the messy, unglamorous process most artists never show anyone.You’ll hear Tom & Kitt discuss: ⚡️ How a giant ground mural became a video artwork about process, not just a finished photo ⚡️ Why crustaceans are easier to draw than rabbits, and what that says about how Kitt solves creative problems -⚡️ The real reason Kitt uses himself as reference for almost every figure he paints ⚡️ How his tattoo apprenticeship completely rewired the way he draws - ⚡️ The Microsoft Paint folio he secretly built while working a call centrejob, just to get into art school ⚡️ What blind drawing games teach you about letting go of perfection - ⚡️ Why Kitt downgraded to a “dumb phone” at the end of each day ⚡️ The honest, sometimes brutal feedback loop he has with collaborators like Mayo and DrezKitt’s take on all of it: the work matters more than the metrics! If that’s a mindset shift you need right now, this conversation will help alot.🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube------🔗 WANT TO GO DEEPER?👉 Get our free Visibility Guide to learn how artists are getting seen by gallerists and collectors right now! https://www.artcareeracademy.com/visibility-guide👉 Want to learn how Tom and our art students make a great income from their art? Get a copy of our free cheatsheet here; https://www.artcareeracademy.com/creative-cashflow-guide------HOST: Tom Gerrard✦ IG | @artcareeracademy and @tom-gerrard✦ Watch on Youtube | @artcareeracademy ✦ Website | artcareeracademy.com and tom-gerrard.comGUESTS: ✦ Instagram | @kitt_bennett/✦ Website: https://kittbennett.bigcartel.com/If you loved this episode, then we'd be super grateful for a 5 star review and do subscribe so that you never miss an episode. Thanks for being here!
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YouTube views
2,246
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.5 / 5
20 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 60 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
57
Social presence
0
YouTube
68
Engagement
92
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