Other Ways for Artists to Make Money
Although the odds of success remain slim, modern visual artists have started embracing other ways of making money beyond selling their works. Commercial licensing offers one option for artists with a track record of selling their images successfully. Competitions provide another shot at legitimacy, plus cash awards to help an artist advance their career. In recent years, independent cooperatives and nontraditional venues have also become popular ways of maximizing their members' earnings and exposure.
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Artist-Run Cooperatives
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The creation of independently-run artists' cooperatives has been a major trend in recent years, National Public Radio reported in July 2009. Members pay monthly dues and assist with ongoing tasks, such as advertising exhibits. The cooperatives allow members to pool funds and resources, while giving them a voice that commercial galleries often try to restrict, street scene painter Phillip Levine told NPR. Unlike commercial galleries, artist cooperatives do not take a cut from sales of members' works, which maximizes their earning power.
Commercial Licensing
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Commercial licensing can provide a regular income for artists willing to produce appealing images that retailers want, according to Jeanette Smith, an expert with 25 years' experience in the field. Artists willing to go this route must be ready to change designs, create production-ready files and make sales presentations, Smith says. Additionally, artists may need an agent to build up a licensing business, and expect to share 50 percent of licensing revenues in any such relationship.
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Competitions
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Entering competitions may seem like a long shot, but the legitimacy accorded to the winners can make them worth the time and effort. According to commercial artist Abdoulaye Camara, most competitions award anywhere from $100 to $10,000, which is a welcome supplement to any artist's budget. Other design competitions award royalties for each piece of work sold, providing valuable exposure for an artist's work. At worst, artists can sharpen their technique, while adding the unsuccessful entry to their portfolio.
Nontraditional Venues
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The odds of getting space in a commercial gallery have forced artists to seek out nontraditional venues to show their work. For New York artist Nancy Smith, independent record stores like Other Music provide a creative alternative to the traditional gallery system, she told NPR. Although Smith had never shown her work in a record store, she welcomed the chance to boost her profile in such a setting. More importantly, Smith credited the association with helping to sell two of her banners.
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References
- National Public Radio; Artists Make Money By Forgoing Traditional Galleries; Jon Kalish; July 2009
- Self-Employment in the Arts; Art Licensing, Part 1; Jeanette Smith
- Self-Employment in the Arts; Art Licensing, Part 2; Jeanette Smith
- "T-Shirt Magazine"; How to Make Money as an Artist; Abdoulaye Camara; July 2009
Resources
- Photo Credit artist at work image by starush from Fotolia.com
