Art Museums... How Do Artists Get In?

Does anyone know how people get their artwork into museums/exhibitions? I'm REALLY curious! Does someone have to buy them, or does an artist have to prove worthy somehow by contacting the museum/exibition? I live in New Mexico, and I'm an artist, and I think I have a couple really worthwhile pieces, but don't know how to capture the attention of a public with them. I live in the middle of nowhere, as it is... we don't have alot of art (if hardly any) related things around here, it's mostly farming/ranching/dairy etc. I want to be able to sell my pieces in markets like Chicago, New York, ect... with me not having art shows or exhibitions near me, how can I get my artwork noticed? Southwest art sells around here... Pueblos, Indians, Cowboy paintings, and I'm some, but not much into drawing that. If people can splatter paint on a canvas and call it art, surely my stuff would sell, I do art... that actually looks like art haha! Anyone upto help me? 10 points for the most helpful answer!!

Art Museums... How Do Artists Get In?
Hardly anybody gets into an art museum while they are still alive. Why don't you start out locally by entering art work at one of the festivals in your town; like we do here. We have The Watermelon Festival, The Pork Festival and our Town Days, etc. Later, you will get recognized if you are good. You could place your work in some of the local gift shops, also. Grams
Reply:To tell you the truth getting your art out there can be one of the hardest things in the world to do, but it can happen. Have you tried looking on line for different art competitions??? If you go to Ask.com there are hundreds of web sites where you can pick and choose what competitions to enter. I have worked in a few art galleries in Utah over the years and the best advice any of the gallery owners gave to young artists was enter competitions, get your art in shows, and from there other gallery owners and museum curators see your work and may want to put your work in future exhibits. My other advice is be prolific!!!! The more you work the better your work gets (and the more options buyers have).
Reply:The previous is very good advice. Are there any commercial galleries in your nearest city (I appreciate it may not be that near)? Professional artists always have agents (like actors have them), and it is the agents who negotiate with dealers and galleries. Do you have a website? Are there any public-funded art societies in your State?
Reply:get a well noticed artist to look at your work and get to know you then ask if they would help you get into a gallery set your art in a flea market or a place that rents out space to sell what you have you think are valuable set your price so your Friends can buy them ask your bank to display them get a web site on google or eBay just set up a pay-pal account email your friends and get your friends to email there friends
Reply:Pay the price of admission.