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Spend less
The less money you spend, the less you’ll need to earn or raise. This will give more time to your practice. How can artists save money? Before you think about raising your income, work out if you can…
Gallery commission
When you sell work through a gallery, they will often take a percentage of the sale. This is called a gallery commission. The gallery takes this money to help pay for their business costs. When you enter into…
Artist statement
An artist’s statement is a short piece of writing about your work. Artist’s statements are as varied and diverse as the art they describe. The following guidelines are suggestions and observations rather than hard and fast rules. Artist…
Invitations
Invitations to private views and talks are a good way to attract new audiences. Printed invitations have fallen out of favour recently. The cost of printing and posting them has become prohibitive for many artists. Artist’s now often focus…
Loans and finance
Loans, overdrafts, credit cards, mortgages, micro loans are all forms of ‘debt finance’. Money is borrowed from a lender then repaid over a period of time, usually with interest. The total amount repaid is always more than…
Artist resale rights
Whenever a musician sells a track, they receive a small payment from the transaction. This is called a royalty. Since 2006, when an artwork is resold on the secondary market for over €1,000, the artist gets a…
Commercial gallery relationships
Commercial galleries are businesses that aim to sell art. It’s important to understand their motivations, their staff and practices. This will help negotiate a mutually beneficial agreement. Reflection Before you begin your hunt for a gallery reflect…
Sponsorship for artists
Sponsorship is when a business or company supports an artist. For established galleries, sponsorship looks like high profile exhibitions funded by big private companies. It’s a different story for individual artists looking to secure such support. This…
Corporate art collections
There can be some good opportunities for artists to sell or rent their work to corporations. Why have your work in a corporate setting? Work in a corporate collection gives an artist exposure to a wealthy sector…
Importance of contracts in commissions
Projects for public spaces can involve so many different partners. This makes contracts vital, for artist and commissioner. A contract is what both the artist and the commissioner agree that you as the artist will deliver. You…
Writing an artist’s biography
An artist biography (or ‘artists biog’) is a paragraph or two about you and your career as a practitioner. It may also contain a line about the key themes to your practice. Biographies are often confused…
National Insurance
Employees and self employed people must also pay National Insurance (NI) as well to pay for benefits and pensions. NI is separate from income tax. It pays specifically for unemployment benefits for yourself if you become unemployed. If…
Types of artist commission
This article introduces different kinds of commissions. It suggests things to consider when taking one on. What is a commission? A ‘commission’ can cover different opportunities, including: Types of commissioner There are many different kinds of…
Making the most out of exhibitions
Exhibitions take a huge amount of time and effort to secure and organise. Think strategically about exhibiting so you get what you need from the process. Ask yourself why you want to exhibit now…
Public art commissions: expressions of interest
An expression of interest is the first stage in the commissioning process. A Commissioner will: As an Artist you should:
Self employment
Self employment means that you work for yourself. Many artists work in different short term projects and get paid as a freelancer. Some also have regular employment too. How do artists work? Artists, like everyone else, will work…
Working relationships in public art commissions
Learn how to develop a relationship with your commissioner so that you both get what you need out of a commission. For the artist For the commissioner Compromising practice with practicality The nature of…
Project budgets
Most funding applications will ask for a budget at some time during the process. Your budget should remain within the guideline amounts provided. It needs to clearly show how any monies provided will be spent, as well as…