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art business (6)

PODCAST -- Art fair alternatives: Should I open a gallery?

Posted by Connie Mettler on September 20, 2016 at 5:00pm

8869098685?profile=originalPODCAST: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 5 PM ET

The fastest way to earn money with your art is to participate in art fairs. The buyer enters your booth, loves the work, hands you the payment and your work has found a new home. It's not always that easy of course, but it has worked for years for thousands of artists.    

Many artists have multiple streams of income including gallery representation, selling work online, image licensing, hosting studio tours, participating in small boutique events and being in gallery shows. How about your own gallery? The nearby empty storefront beckens you.

8869173461?profile=originalToday's show includes digital artist John Leben, supporting himself for over 40 years in the arts who is contemplating opening a gallery. Unlike art fairs this is a 365 day commitment. John wants to know: should he do it? Read his opportunity here.

Joining the discussion is artist Sandhi Schimmel Gold, the "Queen of Junk Mail Art." About a year ago she posted Towel ... Throwing ... in on ArtFairInsiders.com where she announced she was opening a gallery. Sandhi will share her adventures in moving from the streets to her own art gallery.

8869172693?profile=originalTerri Belford is a business consultant. She started her first business in her 20's and has developed numerous others since then.  Her last business was a gallery of fine art and contemporary craft that continues to thrive under the direction of a new owner. She blogs at craftbizblog.com.

Should John open a gallery? Sandhi and Terri give him some answers.

Have you been part of a gallery operation? Do you have some useful information on this topic? or questions to be answered? Put them in the comments below.

Do you want to be part of this podcast? Comments welcome, contact me, and I'll add you to the program. 

Click here to listen live: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/artfairs/2016/08/30/judges-jurying-awards-at-art-festivals

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Kicking your art business forward!

Posted by Connie Mettler on January 20, 2010 at 12:00pm
Wasn't 2009 a challenge? Well, here we are on a headlong rush into 2010. What are you doing differently to effect a different outcome? Do you remember the definition of "insanity"? "Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." Here is something that I think can be helpful to you. The testimonials sound like this is the cure you need. Announcing smARTIST Telesummit 2010 - January 21-22 and 25-29, Build Your Art Career from the Comforts of Home Come learn from 11 art career experts and successful artists exactly what it takes to be successful in any economy—with focus and facts standing alongside your fabulous art. Attend an online art career conference and professional development conference that only happens once a year. What past participants have to say: I’ve been selling online and elsewhere for years now (started out on eBay in 2000) and wanted to focus more of my efforts into success. I learned so much at the Telesummit about things I could improve, and ways to tweak parts of my entire work process. Believe me, at first I was a complete skeptic about the value of the smARTist Telesummit. But there have been so many changes in my art career since attending last year! On my three main websites, I’m getting 600 sessions and 8,000 hits on average a day! WOW, and I owe a lot of that to what I learned from the smARTist® Telesummit. This conference starts tomorrow -- January 21 -- learn more and register today! You deserve this, www.smArtist.com.
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Fairs See Huge Crowds When They Weather Recession

Posted by Connie Mettler on August 10, 2009 at 5:55pm
Are you wondering how the fairs are doing this year? Tales of events being cancelled, others growing, artists starving and artists thriving got you confused? Here's a thorough look at the economics and challenges of it all by AP writer Tom Breen at the Yahoo News: "Fun-seekers venturing out to farm fairs, art festivals and other mainstays of the American summer are finding either crowds or cancellation notices this year — and sometimes for the same reason. Many festivals have met their demise when national sponsors pulled away and lawmakers slashed grant budgets, leaving organizers without enough money to buy tables, tents, portable toilets and other fair basics. That has many wondering whether their events will ever mount a comeback, though the ones that downsize stand a better chance than the ones that cancel entirely." The article covers events at Watkins Glen, NY, the Ohio State Fair, the Alameda County Fair (which broke attendance records), and many other places across the country. In Allentown, PA, when they had to slash their budget in half the organizers reported increased attendance! Lots of food for thought here: Fairs see huge crowds when they weather recession
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Why are Some Artists More Successful than Others?

Posted by Connie Mettler on February 27, 2009 at 8:00pm
Could it be because they have business/life partners who devote themselves to the success of the artist? Yes!! This month's issue of the Crafts Report explores the role of the "non-artist's" role in an artist's business life discussing this often unsung person's contributions to the business. As an artist's partner myself this is not an eye-opening expose, but it is great to receive some recognition. As art director of Arts, Beats & Eats we have a revolving award, The Golden Dolly, that is awarded each year (with an award check!) to the best artist's partner. The first recipient was Richard Nash, hauling the work of Jeanne Nash around the country. Year two it went to Michael Strailey (an Art Fair Insider) who is still setting up Nancy's booth innumerable times each season. Other awardees: Carole Weber (spouse of Michale Weber), Judy Lederer (spouse of Ron Lederer), Sam Kuznets (spouse of Svetlana), etc. Many thanks to these great people. Enjoy the article at this link: http://www.craftsreport-digital.com/craftsreport/200903/?pg=36 Read the article and then get back to this and let us hear what you think.
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Starving Artists? Not so, says New York Times

Posted by Connie Mettler on December 15, 2008 at 3:49pm
"Some artists have begun to figure out ways to make money and make art — aiming to end the notion that “starving” and “artist” are necessarily linked," says writer Marci Alboher. "Rather than seeing art as something to pursue in the hours when they are not earning a living, these artists are developing businesses around their talents. These artists are part of a growing movement that has caught the attention of business experts and is being nudged along by both art and business schools. Living in the Internet era has certainly helped." This is a good article that explores artists being business people. This is not news to art fair artists who definitely have to spend a lot of time thinking about the business aspects. Read the article at: Transforming Art Into a More Lucrative Career Choice
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Once More Into the Breach

Posted by Connie Mettler on January 7, 2009 at 10:52am
One can get a touch of cabin fever in Michigan this time of the year, for entertainment--read others blogs. Do you think I lead a wild life? Here is ArtFairInsider.com member Pat Sorbini's attempt to handle her off art fair hours: Well, I ask you to open my studio door at the end of the season and not imagine a war having been fought there. Really bad. Really. So, I have some time off from the theater, my first app due in 10 days, a need to keep busy, a snowstorm outside. There will be cleaning. I am going to organize. Again. There will be plastic bins and labels. Old storage stuff that never really worked is already at the curb. New shelves are ready to be filled with those labeled plastic thingys. I have the most trouble letting go of things that I may use someday maybe if just in case I might somehow.....gone. Unpainted paper castings, A book that just need a repair...for 2 years now. Mirrors with designs that just didn't work. Cast bowls that never sold, the edges cracked from schlepping to show after show. Gone. I started this year with the same cleaning spurt, but this time I am actually redoing things. For instance, my paper cutter is on a surface just about 6 inches too low so I always hurt my back when doing any prolonged cutting. That will be moved up. Things i had stored right near my work area will be stored away unless it's something I use daily. Stuff like that. And so we start again. A clean room, a clean slate. A new calendar book. New plans. Guess I should get up there. One more coffee....... Pat's blog: View from the Attic
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