Artfagging for chicks – a single guys guide to the NYC arts scene

Wow, It’s been a long layoff and the story for my absence is a little longer than what I’m prepared to write about right now. But let’s leave it at this – for now I’m single(ish), rusty(ish), so I had to revisit some of my old NYC girl hunting stomping grounds, and the NYC arts scene is one of the best thing the city has to offer.

First – lets set some ground rules. I am a New Yorker first and foremost, and I love this city and the variety it can bring to your every day life. Throughout history New York has been the center of art, finance, technology, politics, culture in some way shape or form. However, there has been a new wave in New York – a wave set on giving the city an nonthreatening, one size fits all appearance. Be it the Sex and the City clones that demand countless boutiques and bistros, or the hipsters that out-irony themselves into absurdity, part of New York is becoming an absolute parody.

So, the first rule of artfagging is this:

You are a guest in the art scene, and you will respect its goals and aesthetic. You will not roll in there with 5 of your button down shirt bros ready to bro out (fear not, there are plenty of places in NYC to do that), and you will not try to take over the scene. I am extremely conflicted about releasing this info, so please BE KIND TO THE ARTS SCENE, AND IT WILL IN TURN BE KIND TO YOU.

The New York City art scene is centered around galleries scattered throughout the city, exhibiting certain works for a certain period of time. However, for just about every single show – there is an opening, and that’s where we find you – the eager NYC arts macker. In my experience, there are two main types of gallery macking options, both of you will require you to be familiar with my #1 arts wingman – http://www.artcat.com/ (a directory of gallery openings):

1. The Individual Gallery show – these can be scattered anywhere throughout the city, you can see the art, talk to people, and grab some free drinks (dont forget to tip, asshole, seriously).
2. The gallery hop – This is the same as above – except it is centered around the Chelsea neighborhood on Thursday evenings, from 6 to 8. There are usually several gallery opening receptions going on simultaneously, so lots of people just go from one gallery opening to the next, drink (tip, you asshole), and enjoy art.

The cool part about meeting women here is that there is really minimum “game” that must be played. Just check out a piece of art, or refill your wine, and comment on something you see. There are not that many people that appreciate art but 99% of the people there like to think that they do, so a conversation is imminent. Within minutes you are talking about your beliefs, crack a few jokes, and you are exactly at the point of the conversation where you think you should take it a little bit further.

Now – when the clock strikes 8 and the galleries start to clear out – people will be adequately drunk but it’s still 8 o clock – very very early. So start making your move towards a nearby bar.

… This post feels a little to “cut and dry” and has a really “just go with it” feel in terms of the advice. While i know that a lot of guys who have trouble meeting girls need step by step instructions to feel confidant in what to do – I say forget that – do what you want to do (while still obeying the law of course)  and really move things along at a pace that you want to move things along (while sometimes pushing your own limits in the process).

I don’t really know who my readers are, heck, I don’t even know if after this year layoff I still have readers, but whoever you are, you should know that social interaction is an improv play. You just need to shout a topic first.

TL;DR version – go to http://www.artcat.com/ and don’t be a dick