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What Are the Different Types of Art Business Ideas?

S. McNesby
S. McNesby

Art business ideas can involve creating works of art to sell to private or commercial clients; they can also involve working as a representative or broker for other people's artwork. If an individual is artistically skilled and wishes to make a living using that talent, then creating and selling pieces of art may be an ideal way to make a living. For individuals who enjoy art and want to work with artists, then opening a gallery, co-op, or agency could be a rewarding path to follow. Tutoring or teaching art classes can be used to supplement an art business, while a teaching facility or studio can be a stand-alone art business idea.

Paintings, sculptures, and other fine art items can be sold directly to consumers or marketed through a gallery. Many fine artists use both venues to market their creations to collectors and buyers. Other fine art business ideas include selling to commercial clients like publishers, individual businesses, and advertising agencies. Most freelancers use a variety of art business ideas to get their work in front of prospective buyers; popular methods include advertising, showing in galleries, and sending out promotional cards and materials.

One art business idea is to create pottery which can be painted and customized by shoppers.
One art business idea is to create pottery which can be painted and customized by shoppers.

Other art business ideas can include opening a mural or faux painting business, interior design company, or a home staging agency. Individual artists can work together to create a gallery or co-operative studio, allowing them to collectively market art to consumers. Sharing studio and gallery space with other artisans is a way to share expenses as well.

Selling homemade fragrant soaps is one kind of business idea.
Selling homemade fragrant soaps is one kind of business idea.

Individuals that simply enjoy being surrounded by art, but don't wish to make a business of creating and selling, can consider several different representational art business ideas. Opening a public gallery is one way to become immersed in the art world without actually being an artist. Artist talent representatives also engage in marketing art created by others; art representation can be offered to fine and commercial artists.

Some artists are commissioned by local businesses to create sculptures for their office site.
Some artists are commissioned by local businesses to create sculptures for their office site.

Some of the best art business ideas combine an individual's talent for creating with a flair for marketing. People who enjoy both aspects of selling art have the most flexibility in the type of art business ideas they can consider. Introverts who like to create may prefer art business ideas that focus on making new pieces and leave the selling up to someone else. Extroverts who love meeting new people may prefer marketing the art created by others to the solitary life of a studio artist.

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Discussion Comments

anon994228

I was wondering if anyone could tell me the type of artwork that you use when only 1, 2, or maybe 3 single lines are drawn to make a picture that you would recognize? --Glenn

pleonasm

I'd love to find a niche in which to sell some kind of art. I know I have some talent, but I think in order to refine it to the point where it would be worth selling, I'd have to pick a particular kind of thing and work on that as much as possible.

But I like making all sorts of different things, sculpture, paintings, weaving and so forth and I don't even have a particular favorite theme to draw on.

I've had artist friends tell me they envy that a little, as they feel like their art always turns out to be about a particular thing, or in a particular style even if they'd prefer for it not to be, but in terms of developing a "following" it's not that useful.

Mor

@browncoat - Be careful if you are going to do this as it can take a bit of capital to ship the pieces and you can have trouble with the taxes and tariffs imposed by different countries.

And I know that it can be more difficult than you might expect to sell goods from other countries.

Most of the people who appreciate an object from a foreign land want to go and get that object on their own travels.

And other people just want the latest, cheapest thing they can get at Wallmart. It can be a tough sell when replicas are so cheap and easy to get.

I'm not saying you shouldn't do it, just be careful going in. You don't want to end up disappointing people, or losing money.

browncoat

Something you might consider if you are looking to get into this kind of thing is bringing art from other countries into your own country and selling it on.

There are a lot of ways to do this badly though, so make sure you do some research first. I'm thinking more of poor countries supplying the art. You want to make sure you are giving them enough for their work, but not overpaying them either.

You need to make sure it's a valid long term business and not just a charity, otherwise you won't be doing the area any favors.

Find artisans who can make a good product and do it consistently, and make sure you have a market for the product.

I know people who do this with glass bottles from the Middle East and with beads from Thailand and, while they don't make a huge amount, they feel like they are giving something back to the world.

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    • One art business idea is to create pottery which can be painted and customized by shoppers.
      By: Petrov Vadim
      One art business idea is to create pottery which can be painted and customized by shoppers.
    • Selling homemade fragrant soaps is one kind of business idea.
      By: mattiaath
      Selling homemade fragrant soaps is one kind of business idea.
    • Some artists are commissioned by local businesses to create sculptures for their office site.
      By: Mikhail Markovskiy
      Some artists are commissioned by local businesses to create sculptures for their office site.
    • An entrepreneur interested in art may open a recording studio for aspiring singers to record demo tapes.
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      An entrepreneur interested in art may open a recording studio for aspiring singers to record demo tapes.