We all know that art is subjective given the viewer and everyone is a critic. So it breaks down to marketing. Most artists are poor so self-marketing is limited.
Most artists are poor marketers.
All fluff aside, at some crass point viable means making money for the dealer, collector, artist. Accept that it is a hustle and hustle it. The artists I've noticed are looking for direction with their art financing - not directions out of Kansas City. Step to the plate promoters - the artist always has. Kansas City artists, let's not wander apart.