How Artists Fund Public Art Projects (Without a Gallery or Big Budget)

In this episode of The Professional Artist Podcast, Professional Artist Association member and contemporary sculptor Lisa Roet is featured by the Professional Artist Association (https://professionalartist.com/join), the world's fastest-growing global community for committed fine artists.

Lisa is an Australian artist whose work examines the shared DNA and emotional terrain between humans and primates. Working across monumental public sculpture, film, installation, and research-based practice, her art asks urgent questions about biodiversity, evolution, and what it means to be human—making complex ideas visible at a public scale.

For more than three decades, Lisa has built an international career outside the traditional gallery system. Her projects are frequently realized through grants, institutional partnerships, and cross-sector collaborations, requiring long-term vision, rigorous research, and sophisticated logistical planning.

In this deep dive, Lisa offers a rare and transparent look at what it takes to sustain large-scale, public-facing art. She breaks down how artists can navigate funding bodies, structure partnerships that protect creative control, and balance artistic risk with the practical realities of production.

This episode offers essential insight for artists interested in public work, ambitious projects, and alternative career models—showing how research-driven practice, strategic collaboration, and persistence can support a long-term, impactful art career beyond the gallery system.

“ You have to be careful with understanding how markets are working… who your client base is, being genuine with yourself and being careful with your practice while at the same time taking risks.”

— Lisa Roet

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

01:32 Importance of Research in Artistic Practice

04:10 The Influence of Jane Goodall on Lisa's Work

08:10 Creation and Concept of "Golden Monkey"

12:38 Challenges of Large-Scale Public Art

16:44 Overview of Business and Income Streams

20:52 Navigating Funding Applications

23:35 Lessons Learned from the Art Market

25:42 Balancing Risks and Integrity in Art Practice

26:22 Conclusion

Access the members-only full unabridged conversation here:

https://hub.professionalartist.com/c/deep-dives-vault/lisa-roet

Links to artworks discussed:

• Her artworks can be seen in the YouTube version of this podcast here.

Resources:

Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology: https://www.rmit.edu.au/

McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery: https://mcclelland.org.au/

Serpentine Galleries: https://www.serpentinegalleries.org/

Connect with Lisa

• Website: https://www.lisaroet.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisaroet/

Learn more about The Professional Artist Association:

• Join 50,000+ artists getting Free advice & inspiration:
• https://professionalartist.com/podcast/#join-free-artist-letter
• Join ≈1,000 committed artists around the world for less than $1, £ or € a day: https://professionalartist.com/join
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/professionalartistaccelerator

Free training and resources:

• Free training on how to find art buyers without a big following: https://professionalartist.com/find-your-next-3-fine-art-collectors/?utm_source=PODCAST&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=2025-06
• Free insider report on how Painters, Sculptors, and Fine Art Photographers make their art income stable and consistent: https://professionalartist.com/report/?utm_source=PODCAST&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=free_report

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