Those who say that there is no money in the artistic field might not have started a business yet. A lot of artists don’t paint, sculpt marble, or take photographs to express themselves or pursue their passion. As they journey through their career, they also become businesspeople.
By default, artists are entrepreneurs, too. This is proven by the single fact that they are also trying to sell their works to people. The process can be challenging, but it is always possible for artists to emerge as businesspeople as time goes by. After all, there will always be individuals who will fall in love with your works and masterpieces.
If you want to start a business in the arts industry, there are a couple of things you ought to keep in mind. Here are some of them:
Pick the right niche
You may not realize it, but the art world is much bigger than you think. There are buyers from all around the world that collect works from locals, and there are some artists who collaborate with fashion brands and designers. Before you start your business, you need to pick the right niche. Do you want to follow in the footsteps of Takashi Murakami and Yayoi Kusama who are among the epitomes of contemporary arts? Do you want to become a museum curator? Or do you want to be a collector who resells art? The answer is entirely yours. You need to find out which niche is actually in line with your interests.
Know the people who will buy your art
Once you know what you want to sell and which niche to join, you need to introduce yourself to your clients. You need to understand their motivations and interests. When you know them, you’ll be able to create pieces that can resonate with them. When knowing your customers, you need to be familiar with their purchasing power. Try to find out the other types of pieces that they buy. Moreover, you need to know about the marketplace and competition. It’s also wise to show your art pieces in galleries and exhibition spaces – the more areas where your art can be seen, the more chances of getting your pieces sold.
Build your network
To extend your market and potentially find the people who will buy your pieces, you need to build a larger network. You can establish relationships with curators and gallery owners. You may want to join benefits and other art shows where you can find collectors. Other than on-the-ground activities, you may also want to create social media accounts and pages where you can connect with your admirers and fans. These people can possibly lead you to actual customers who will find your style not only beautiful but also relatable.
Write your business plan
Sometimes, artists may need to put down their brushes and palettes. At the start, they will need to pick up their fountain pens and come up with a draft of their business plan. Simply put, your business plan will serve as your compass as you conduct your operations. This may include the goals that you are expected to reach in the next twelve months or so. The plan should also detail where the funding will come from. If you have no sales during some months, the business plan may indicate what you can possibly do. Moreover, it will also detail how you’re supposed to work with your partners and employees.
Get a space
Space is important for artists. It is where they feel at home, and it is where they can place their equipment and materials, such as rotary die-cut machines and large-format printers. You can rent a warehouse or lease a large loft downtown.
You’ll make things happen
Being an artist and entrepreneur can be quite challenging. But when you have the right plan, and you have invested in the right network, you can make things happen.
