Suggestions:

 

• allow sufficient time to conduct research into the artist's work, visit its studio before the interview

• organise the questions into categories, ensuring that the topics you wanted to discuss have been covered

• or, have a checklist of subjects around which the conversation will be conducted

• when requesting an interview, sometimes the person in close professional contact with the artist is more likely to elicit a positive response

• when requesting an interview inform the artist about the purpose of the interview by letter, telephone call or email

• in terms of interpretation of data, the two-person approach is beneficial by being more objective

• try to arrange for the interview to take place in the presence of the artwork/s, either at the artist's studio or the museum - if this is not possible then include photographic documentation

• ask for the artist's permission to record the conversation before the interview

• always familiarise yourself first with the recording equipment

• if the time of the interview does not permit the answering of all your questions, suggest a follow-up interview or telephone call

• check information provided by the artist that you are unsure of, e.g. names of materials, by inviting the artist to comment on the transcript/videotape of the interview once completed

• artists will often appreciate receiving a copy of the interview

• transcripts of the interview must be annotated with the names of the persons involved, the location and date of interview