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Requests to contribute work to art fairs

Posted by Geoff Coe on February 22, 2010 at 6:54pm in Art Show Information and Discussions
Haven't seen this topic posted specifically,  so I thought I'd do it:  I'm never sure quite how to handle situations where, if accepted into a show,  I'm requested to dontate a piece of art.  (Typically, this is part of a silent or, less often, live auction and the proceeds go to the show's charity or beneficiary).

Do you contribute one of your best sellers, or a piece that  isn't selling? Or a piece that's maybe slightly damaged?

And  (whichever you select), can you write off the full retail value of the piece at tax time, or just your cost of producing it? 

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Tags: charity, donation
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Replies

  • Greg Heihn February 25, 2010 at 12:21am
    I think you have to take a good look at what you're donating to. One of the best ones I've participated in was at the"college Hill Arts Festival" in Cedar Falls Ia. It was for the youth tent. Nothing could be over $10.00 I think. Only kids were allowed in the tent and they could only buy two items per day. Good way to get the kids started and fun. At that event I'd give either a "second" or an older piece that had not sold for a year.
  • Renee Froerer February 24, 2010 at 6:01pm
    I made the mistake of offering an original my first show out, as I was very excited to be in my first show. I am attempting to do this as a business, not a hobby, so every little ding in my bottom line hurts.

    I now donate prints, something fairly popular, but not my best work, as I want people to come to my booth and buy stuff, not just try to get prints for free. I know the customers are well meaning when they say "I just bought ten tickets" for one of your prints, but it kind of hurts.

    I try to think of the donation as advertising, you want to represent yourself well, but you need to remember that you are trying to make gains from the show as well, and you don't want to just give it away.

    Hope that helps, would love to hear other perspectives.
  • Lila February 24, 2010 at 12:14pm
    I have donated to synagogues and churches and as long as I've gotten a letter from them I've had no trouble writing off the donation. Same thing goes with my local library (not jewelry - books).
  • Diane Wright February 24, 2010 at 11:30am
    If you are donating to a group that is a 501C (charitable organization) and you get a letter, you should be able to write it off. Some shows that ask you to donate are not registered charitable organiztions.
  • Lila February 24, 2010 at 10:43am
    The donation should be a tax write off, so first ask if you can get a letter to that effect. I will always donate when asked, and depending upon the show and the circumstances (what cause is it going to), I will donate a piece of lesser value, something that would not be hard to replace. The retail price range, depending upon the circumstances is $15 to $40. nothing higher than that. I would not donate something that is damaged. Since all of my work is different I really have no best sellers. Work sells, or it doesn't. I will not donate a new piece, of course. I need to let it sit out for a several shows. I have donated older pieces that I am tired of looking at. That way you get the tax write-off and unload it at the same time.
  • Dave Hinde February 24, 2010 at 8:59am
    Since I'm a photographer, it's easy to just run off another print. Lately I've been using double mats for all my matted work, but if I was making a print just for a donation, I might just use a single mat. I've also got several older cheap frames that I put the picture in to make it look better.

    Geoff Coe said:
    Thanks, Dave.
    How do you choose what work to donate? (To recap: A best-seller? A slow seller? A slightly damaged piece?)
  • Lindsay Pless February 23, 2010 at 5:38pm
    I'm a jewelry maker also and usually make a new pair of pretty earrings to donate but I really like the idea of a gift certificate much better!
    I also refuse to donate if they say the value has to be $25 or over.........geez, we pay fees to get into the show, then they want more? Nope!
  • Diane Wright February 23, 2010 at 4:49pm
    When I have to donate a piece, I usually choose an older piece that I have shown a number of times but that has not sold. I wouldn't choose a piece that I thought would definitely sell. My pieces are one of a kind jewelry pieces so I want to hold on to those that I think will sell at the show.
  • Geoff Coe February 23, 2010 at 3:15pm
    Thanks, Dave.
    How do you choose what work to donate? (To recap: A best-seller? A slow seller? A slightly damaged piece?)
  • Dave Hinde February 23, 2010 at 3:04pm
    I will usually donate a picture when asked, but I put it in a cheaper frame than I usually sell. The shows that I donate to have either silent auctions that end just before the end of the show, or they have a live auction at the shows end, so gift certificates would not work. It always makes me feel good when they get more at the auction for my work than I would have sold it for in my booth!

    One of the shows that has a live auction sends you out a thank you letter with the selling price listed. It mentions that the letter is for you to use for tax purposes, although it doesn't specifically state you can take the selling price off.
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