Wednesday, May 09, 2018

How to make money from your art

Most artists when they start out are fixated with getting representation by an art gallery.

The questions they ask vary between
  • How to get your work in an art gallery?
  • How to get into an art gallery?
  • How do I go about getting an art gallery?
  • How to submit art to a gallery?
  • How to get art gallery representation?
  • How to approach an art gallery with your paintings?
  • How do galleries find artists?
However art galleries are NOT the only way to generate an income from your art.

Plus some galleries have very naughty habits when it comes to the income they make from artist's work.  Then there's the whole question of just how well they sell art and stay in business....

Consequently - rather than putting all their eggs in one basket - any self-respecting artist who wants to make a career out of their art needs to take a long hard look at some of the alternative options for making money from their art.

I'll be giving a talk called How to Make Money from your Art at Heatherley School of Art in Lots Road, Chelsea on Monday 21st May 2018 (4.30pm - 5.30pm)

Admission is FREE and all are welcome - although there is a limit on seating....

If you're interested in finding out more 
- especially about the notion of risk management 
in relation to generating income from your art - 
why not come along!

Heatherley School of Art, 75 Lots Road, London SW10 0RN

How to make money from your art

This talk looks at the world ​of selling art ​ and why it's essential to look beyond the art gallery and expand your opportunities to make money from your art

Why relying ​on ​ an art gallery ​for sales and income ​ is risky

  • how to reduce your exposure to risk
  • why an income portfolio is essential

​How to create an income portfolio

  • art galleries and art dealers
  • open exhibitions and art competitions
  • selling from home and open studios
  • selling online and eCommerce
  • commissions (contracts and business regulations)
  • commercial art (eg book, product development, interiors)
  • licensing and illustration (eg newspapers and magazines)
  • commissions
  • teaching

6 comments:

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  2. Thing is Katya - nothing is for free and all development of income opportunities requires some level of investment and everything is relative.

    For example if you were to show you art by taking a stand at an art fair it might cost you c.£1,000.

    Plus it is simply not possible to put on exhibitions without budgeting and making arrangements to cover costs - so entry fees are absolutely essential for open exhibitions.

    Those open exhibitions that are raising funds for other purposes should be open about it eg Royal Academy of Art's Summer Exhibitions raises funds for the free scholarships at the Royal Academy Schools - so a very worthwhile cause.

    If you ever find an art exhibition of competition which has nil or low costs and only a small entry fee do please tell me about it.

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  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  4. re. your last sentence, I'm wondering if you're maybe talking very local / parochial shows.

    I've not come across an exhibition of any weight or significance which operates like that in a long time.

    Obviously lots of artists group together from time to time and share costs for an exhibition - but that's not the equivalent of an open exhibition or an art competition. Nor does it have the same potential significance.

    Surely the point is if you want your art noticed you need to invest your time, effort and money in your marketing - otherwise you might as well have an art show with friends to which you invite your friends, art school mates and family....

    That's nice and a good time can be had by all - but is how you make money from your art in the long run?
    i.e. the original question posed by the post....

    How do you make money from your art?

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  5. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  6. That's not the topic. The topic is how to make money from your art.

    You can have a career in art and have all your bills paid by a partner or a parent. It's not quite the same thing as having to pay your own way.

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