The Working Artist Collective
Ongoing Support. Deep Connection. Creative Momentum.
An exclusive members-only community for graduates of The Working Artist who are ready to keep growing, sharing, and thriving as working artists.
Join the waitlist to be first in line when doors open next.
JOIN THE WAITLISTYou’ve done the work. You’re not starting—you’re building.
You’ve clarified your voice. You’ve found your rhythm. You’ve taken real steps to grow your creative business.
Now what?
The truth is: growth doesn’t end when The Working Artist course wraps up. It evolves.
That’s where The Working Artist Collective comes in.
What is The Working Artist Collective?
It’s your next step.
An exclusive community designed to give you:
Consistent support as you continue building your art practice
Fresh trainings and resources that meet you where you are
Creative accountability to keep showing up
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A network of committed artists on the same path as you
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This isn’t another course—it’s a space to implement, reflect, and grow.
Sonja Smalheer - Art Coach & Mentor
As an art coach, I've helped hundreds of artists all over the world turn their artistic passions into meaningful art practices. In THE WORKING ARTIST COLLECTIVE, I'll love to show how you can create with more freedom, find buyers that connect with your work, & help you figure out the business side of your art without it draining all your energy. Â
THE COLLECTIVEÂ is not an art course but a membership for visual artists committed to turning their art into a meaningful, sustainable art practice
Take a Peek Inside Thrive
Thriving & Supportive Community
Share your work and get feedback & support from our friendly artist community. Our members are eager to share ideas, their latest hacks, and upcoming events, and of course, give you constructive feedback on how you can elevate your work & build your art practice.
Art Business Foundations
Want to build a thriving art business? This course identifies five key areas you as a visual artist must focus on to set up a thriving art practice, create recurring revenue, and accelerate your art career. These quick-start modules are easy to follow and are accessible in your library with downloadable worksheets, templates & checklists.
In-Depth Audio & Video Lessons
As an artist, mentor & teacher Sonja Smalheer has created a stellar library for members (that's always growing), including 3 Effective Marketing Strategies, Creating an Artist Website that Works, Putting more You in your Art, and many more to come.
Live Sessions
We'll meet each other in our closed student-only member's area for our monthly 'Thrive Live' with Sonja Smalheer. This live session will give us a chance to personally connect and you can ask all your questions. Don’t worry if you ever miss a session you’ll find all the previous sessions are archived and ready for you to access.
Art Expert Sessions
Each month an art industry expert, like gallerists, curators, art jurors, artists, and other specialists will be joining us in the program to share their first-hand experiences on how you can enlarge your reach & find more exposure as a professional artist building an art practice. You'll have a chance to interact with them in our live sessions & ask them questions.
Cases Study Interviews
Dynamic & inspiring interviews with members artists where Sonja coaches them 1-on-1 through their art & business challenges.
Challenge & Critique Sessions
You’ll find art challenges, critique sessions, access to art masterclasses, exclusive resources and so much more. All there for you to take your next steps, find the support you need, from me, the art experts, and a motivated community of artists so that you can consistently and successfully make, market, & sell your art.
Members Area
You'll find all the video & audio lessons, worksheets, templates, checklists, recordings, resources & bonus materials in our beautifully designed members area. All the content is easy to follow and there for you to access when you join the mentoring program.
Join Our Waitlist
You'll be hearing from me when the doors open again in the future.
"I found focus & fresh motivation."
Sonja gave me the confidence to talk and write about my work. She explained the importance of focusing on one technique/style that shows what you and your art are about. Sonja inspired and motivated me to become a more successful artist and this is just the beginning. Sonja’s mentoring program allows me to grow even further.
ROB DE VRIES - DUTCH REALISTIC PAINTER
"I love the connection with the other artists."
Thrive gives me insights into where I am in my artist success path. I love the connection with other artists, giving each other advice and sharing knowledge and stories.
DIDO DE BEER - DUTCH ARTIST
This could be you...
When you start to create focus & clarity for your art business you too will see a transformation take place. It's not too late. There has never been a better or easier way to learn the skills you need to turn your creativity into a happy, healthy art business.