66 artistApril 2016 http://www.painters-online.co.uk
Cost effective ideas for artists 3
significant contribution to costs but this
should then be reflected in a reduction in
the commission percentage.
Do avoid vanity galleries – you will pay
for your own exhibition and their profit.
Do agree a consignment price – ie the
sum you get irrespective of the price
asked by the gallery.
Do agree the scope and limit for
discounts offered by the gallery. This stops
the gallery undercutting your
consignment prices without your consent.
Do reduce shipping costs for
international exhibition by arranging
framing at the destination.Exhibition expenses checklist
Display/framing costs (see previous
article)
Transport to and from the gallery/venue
Insurance in transit/venue
Promotional material, eg business cards
Entry fees (juried shows)
Annual subscriptions (art societies)
CommissionExtra expenses to substitute for
commission in your own exhibitions:
Hire of space (pop-ups)
Catalogues (when you host)
Postage (email is cheaper)
Hanging/lighting kit
Private view hospitality
Stewarding
Hire of credit card machinesThis month Katherine Tyrrelladvises on alternative places to exhibit, ways to
reduce costs and how to take the sting out of exhibiting with galleries
U
nless you paint purely for pleasure,
exhibiting is essential if you want to
become known as an artist and/or
sell your art, but you are not restricted to
art galleries. The options to explore
include: online via a website, social media
or ecommerce gallery; your own studio/at
home; venues looking for wall art, eg
coffee shop; rented space for hire, eg pop-
up-galleries in empty shops; art markets;
art fairs; commercial gallery, as a gallery
artist or in a solo or group show; in a
public gallery/museum – after you have
become successful!Online sites
Many artists now display recent and
available artwork online. I’ll look at this in
more detail next month.Solo exhibition – at home or
local venue
Do eliminate the cost of hiring a space
by taking part in open studios events
where you live.
Do a pop-up show – rent a space to
show your art. Tailor it to your time and
expenses budgets. See http://wiki.emptysh
opsnetwork.co.uk/index.php/HowToPopUp.Art group exhibition
Digital entry is now the rule for many
open exhibitions. This eliminates the cost
of framing and transport just to submit an
entry.
Do learn how to photograph your art.
Organisers often offer helpful tips.
Do not frame until invited to submit
artwork for the second stage, but do make
sure a suitable frame is available fast.
Do examine options for couriers – some
are much cheaper than others.Commercial galleries
Do look at the scope for a gallery to
frame your work – some art galleries have
a framing business. Agree a target pricefor them to frame on a sale-or-return basis.
Do business with business-like galleries.
Check whether they participate in the Own
Art scheme – this is great for stimulating
sales to people who like to spread the cost
of buying. http://ownart.org.uk.Maximise your income
Exhibiting is as much about marketing
yourself as an artist as it is about selling.
You can maximise sales if you connect with
and impress the right people, eg suitable
collectors, the ‘right’ gallery; hence:
Do learn which exhibitions they visit (eg
prestigious competitions). They need to
learn about you and your art and where to
find it.
Do aim to impress collectors and
galleries. You’re not just aiming to sell; you
also want to impress any art collectors and
gallery representatives who are visiting
such exhibitions to see new artists – and
new work.
Do showcase yourself as well as your
art. Basics include: business cards
available; press release prepared; website
tells people who you are, what you do,
where you exhibit and how to contact you.Minimise your costs
Do learn about all the expenses of
alternative options for exhibiting your
work – see checklist (right).
Do a proper budget. Get accurate cost
estimates prior to making a commitment.No nasty surprises
Do understand and agree in writing
how costs are split before you agree to an
exhibition with a gallery. If a gallery
charges 50 per cent commission your
expectation is this covers exhibition costs.
Galleries may want artists to make aKatherine Tyrrell
writes ‘Making A Mark’, a
blog that provides news
and reviews of major art
competitions and
exhibitions, interviews with artists and
techniques and tips for art and business.
http://makingamark.blogspot.com
http://www.artbusinessinfo.comHow to afford to exhibit your art
2015 Annual Exhibition of the Pastel
Society at the Mall Galleries, LondonTA