I have been to many art fairs this past year that ask for a donation to their silent auction. I actually had patrons look at my booth, then go low ball bid my auction item and not by a thing directly from me. I find asking the artists for a silent auction item annoying. I feel like I am paying them a lot of money to be in the show and to give away a painting leaves me feeling bitter. As an artist I am there to sell my work to earn a living. I don't want to give my hard work away. Perhaps art fairs could consider another fundraising route if they are putting on the fair as part of an organization. They could charge admission, sell food items, have donated prize baskets from local businesses, other than the artists participating. Any other thoughts? How do you feel about silent auctions?
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Another thought: the shows were I have donated to silent auctions have been put on by local civic and art organizations. I don't recall doing that many shows over 20 plus years that were put on by for profit promotors. The latter asking for donations would be unprofessional IMO.
I give them something out of the flip bin that hasn't been moving. It's a BS practice, they could charge $25 more for the space if they need the money that much.
Like Dinah, I donate something that has been inventory for awhile and has not sold. I view donating as supporting the show, and IMO builds a working relation with management over the long term. I take a tax write off for it too. I make enough at shows I where I donate, I don't miss the income from another sale.
Judy Christian > Richard L. ShererMay 9, 2017 at 11:47am
I donate something that is a good representation of my style of work. Usually something fairly recent of which I have several made, so that donating doesn't hurt my inventory.
It is a small advertisement for me.
I donate about 50% of the time strictly based on whether I have something to give.
I WOULD REALLY LIKE FOR SHOWS TO LET US SET A MINIMUM BID.
No artist wants to hear that someone bid on a piece and bought it for about 1/10th of the retail price!
I consider donating as advertising. Often people see something at the auction and find their way to my booth to purchase. I don't hang their "I contributed" sign in my booth. I also only donate something I have had around for a long time and am sick of looking at.
One show I do asks for a voluntary donation but I have not done it the last couple of times and it has not hurt my entry to the show. The last time I donated I did this.---donated something I had reduced for hanging around too long. I was not going to place a new design or piece for auction.
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I give them something out of the flip bin that hasn't been moving. It's a BS practice, they could charge $25 more for the space if they need the money that much.
I donate something that is a good representation of my style of work. Usually something fairly recent of which I have several made, so that donating doesn't hurt my inventory.
It is a small advertisement for me.
I donate about 50% of the time strictly based on whether I have something to give.
I WOULD REALLY LIKE FOR SHOWS TO LET US SET A MINIMUM BID.
No artist wants to hear that someone bid on a piece and bought it for about 1/10th of the retail price!
I consider donating as advertising. Often people see something at the auction and find their way to my booth to purchase. I don't hang their "I contributed" sign in my booth. I also only donate something I have had around for a long time and am sick of looking at.
One show I do asks for a voluntary donation but I have not done it the last couple of times and it has not hurt my entry to the show. The last time I donated I did this.---donated something I had reduced for hanging around too long. I was not going to place a new design or piece for auction.
We could also ask the show to reduce our booth fee for a donated piece...maybe a % reduction based upon the value of the work we donate.
A few years ago, I wrote an article on how to fix the (silent) auction issue and how it puts the shows and the artists against each other.
http://bermangraphics.com/artshows/auctioning-art.htm
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
Excellent ideas in your article, Larry.
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