Jamie Diamond, Interdisciplinary Artist

This week we sit down with Jamie Diamond, interdisciplinary artist living and working in Brooklyn, NY. Diamond is a recipient of the Artist in Residence program at Mass MoCA & Skidmore College (2016), the NYFA Fellowship Award in Photography (2014), Artist in Residence at The Bronx Museum (2014), Artist in Residence at the Mana Residencies program at Mana Contemporary (2014), LMCC Swing Space residency (2013), LMCC Work Space residency (2008-2009) and the Toby Devan Lewis Fellowship Award (2008). Diamond’s work has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Last Magazine, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Vanity Fair, Hyperallergic, The Huffington Post, Lenscratch, Dummy Magazine, Barron’s Magazine, Phaidon and PBS Online Series among others. Her work has been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions nationally and internationally, some of which include Galerie Frank Pages (Geneva), AJL Art (Berlin), Mass MoCA (North Adams), The Bronx Museum (New York) and Catherine Edelman (Chicago). Diamond received her MFA from the University of Pennsylvania in 2008 and BA from the University of Wisconsin in 2005. Since 2009, Diamond has been lecturing in photography at the University of Pennsylvania and is currently the Undergraduate Photography Coordinator of UPenn’s Fine Art Department. She has a forthcoming show (2019) at the Prada Fondazione in Milan and we are excited to give you here her advice and insight into working in the arts!

What is the best piece of advice you can give about working in the art world?

Be prepared, the art world can be an unforgiving place. Even with an extensive knowledge of Art History you’ll need a whole lot of patience and persistence, and in order to thrive, you will need an unwavering love of art.

What is something you encounter often with employees that tests your patience?

As the coordinator of the photography department at UPENN, I oversee many responsibilities regarding programming and curriculum requirements; I am fortunate to have incredible colleagues. It is imperative that at all times, we remain respectful and open while focusing on what needs to be accomplished.

What does a good employee do?

Collaborate, know your strengths and acknowledge your weaknesses. One of the things we value in our department is the varied artistic practices and teaching pedagogies from our instructors.

What makes a person hirable?

1. They have to be a great artist and thinker.
2. Strong References helps
3. Experience- goes without saying
4. An innovative course that we don’t already offer is always good

What is the most frowned upon trait for an employee?

It is not about the individual but about the larger whole. Being nice is never a bad thing either.

What are things a person can do to make them stand out in the workplace?

Being polite. Following up. Being warm and affable. Persistence of course. Even when you get your ideal position, you must then live up to those expectations and exceed them. It is a highly competitive industry and no one is indispensable.

What are things you can do proactively boost your CV?

Don’t wait around and expect something to fall in your lap, take the initiative and be creative and resourceful, use your community and expand it. As an artist, constantly apply to things and stay curious.

What does professional mean to you?

Responsible, kind, intelligent, experienced, knowledgeable, confident, courteous, consciousness.

Are there any tips you can give people entering the workforce?

Put yourself out there and be as visible as possible. Use social media as a tool to launch your career! Go see shows. Be out there! Build a community within your own art world.