How To Do Just About Everything
By parvenue
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Sometimes one of the best things you can do to give back to the community and to humanity at large is to host an Art show. Not only are you helping out the artists and possibly pocketing a small commission for yourself, you are aiding the betterment of mankind through art, which I believe is a truly cathartic experience. Art is the one medium which transcends language, culture, and age. It is timeless and speaks a different message to all who experience it. How do you find sponsors for an art show. Follow my handy dandy steps and you will be well on your way.
First you must figure out where you are going to host the art show. If you area lucky enough you will have a gallery. Getting the gallery might be hard, but when I've been involved with shows in the past we would offer a percentage of the "house take" to the gallery or pay a set amount instead. This is often helpful. If you can't get them to do any of the above you can decide to give a portion of the proceeds to a chaarity that benefits art students, etcetera. When it becomes a "charitable" event chances are likely that a business (such as a bank) or other place might lend you the space as it could be a tax deduction for the business.
Advertisements. One you've established who your artists are (and any good art show should have more than one! Unless of course the artist is famous)you need to get some brochures together featuring the artists, a little background of their art, and perhaps a few pictures of the pieces they are working on. This could be done via email in which case you'd save on production costs. It needn't be fancy, it just needs to be informative. Once you have your brochure or even a postcard for that matter proceed to the next step.
GUEST LIST. One of the easiest ways to get businesses, etcetera to sponsor your Art show is to have what we like to call in the industry an "A" list of guests. For example, if you could promise that Ivanka Trump would be there and some of her friends, or any number of models from Wilhemina or any kind of celebrity or counsel person, the chances of getting sponsors is greater. In fact some of the guests might be sponsors. The way to attact this problem if you don't know anyone is to attach a charity to the show and then call up your local Congressman, and try to get him or someone from his office to come. Proceed with the ladies of the D.A.R. and then move to Hadassah. Follow up every phonecall with an invitation. Visit every real estate agent in your neighborhood. Be excited and get them excited about your show. Go to every find restaurant. Ask if they'd like to be a part of the show. Tell them you'll put their names in the program (and of course their will be a program) of Sponsors. You can even establish different levels of sponsors such as "gold member" for 1,000 or more. Tell them that you are promoting art, who you have in your artshow, such as this up and coming artist shows promise and a portion of the proceeds will go to fund an art program for Inter-city youth, "Better Living Through Art."
Most art shows are selling the artwork. This is a key point to know. It's hard for an artist to have a show if they aren't selling the work. Have an idea of what the art is selling for. Know what your artists are trying to sell it for. You could also have an art auction and in that case give a portion of the proceeds to charity.,
Refreshements. You should always have a nice reception with some good cheese and wine and hors doerves. In the past we were able to get vodka, and wine and all manner of crudite, canape and the like from delicatessans, and catering houses and liquor stores. Once they heard who was coming, etcetera and that it was for charity, they would donate these things. The only thing they wanted was a little placard on the table stating their name. They could write off their taxes and they get free publicity with the muckety mucks in town.
Once you start getting responses, you can build an excel spreadsheet to monitor how much is coming in. Remember, hit every possible resource. The point is this, you have to get out there, and you have to show people how it will be beneficial for them, and the community. A little charm and a little business saavy will go a long way here. And if you don't have one of those heart warming personalities, illicit the help from others, we all know someone with that evervescent charm. You just have the good business sense to plan it all out before hand. Have confidence, you can do it.
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