In this article artist Dallas Seitz talks about his experiences practicing as a curator and the relationship between this role and his career as an artist.

Many artists also operate as curators, developing their careers and expanding their networks by organising their own exhibitions with peers or in some cases even setting up a longer term artist led space.

There are more and more independant, alternative and artist-run spaces throughout France, although their life-span is often fairly short, as public funding is becoming hard to find and public-private partnerships not yet the norm as regards the arts in France.

There is a well-established history of artists taking over empty shops for temporary exhibitions or community projects, and in the current economic downturn such activity is being actively supported both by local councils and artist networks.

Although you venue and marketing will have an impact on the number of visitors and potential funding, your curatorial policy and aims will ensure success.

A charity is an organisation set up for exclusively charitable purposes, which carries out activities to achieve these purposes.

Last month's column focused on the selling power of those few artists whose works have established a strong market value, and their ability to pick and choose - or blacklist - their purchasers or dealers.

Artist-run spaces can be useful for professional artists to expand their careers, make new networks, or simply to organise exhibitions for themselves and their friends.

The type of venues you use will depend on the programme you intend to offer and the types of project you are interested in.