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Hello,
I need some advice, again, please.
I have a studio and have started to participate in First Fridays. I have asked different artists to bring their work, both to show t in my studio, for First Friday, and also to promote them for a month.
I think this is ‘good juju’. It benefits both artist and me, as people who might not normally come to my studio will perhaps visit it on First Friday and perhaps drum up some business for my studio classes or as rental space, and the artist gets a place to display their art for a month.
The first month, sadly, the artist did not sell anything. I had not thought about my compensation, but my next artist asked how much of a commission I would take. It makes sense (now that I think about it) that I would get a commission if a piece were sold, but I have no idea as this is my first time doing this.
What is normal for this type of arrangement? A percentage or a flat fee? I am open to your suggestions and appreciate any advice you might provide.
Thanks,
Joyce
I need some advice, again, please.
I have a studio and have started to participate in First Fridays. I have asked different artists to bring their work, both to show t in my studio, for First Friday, and also to promote them for a month.
I think this is ‘good juju’. It benefits both artist and me, as people who might not normally come to my studio will perhaps visit it on First Friday and perhaps drum up some business for my studio classes or as rental space, and the artist gets a place to display their art for a month.
The first month, sadly, the artist did not sell anything. I had not thought about my compensation, but my next artist asked how much of a commission I would take. It makes sense (now that I think about it) that I would get a commission if a piece were sold, but I have no idea as this is my first time doing this.
What is normal for this type of arrangement? A percentage or a flat fee? I am open to your suggestions and appreciate any advice you might provide.
Thanks,
Joyce
posted by:
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Alaska
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Re: Commision on Artwork at a Dance Studio?
Tue, October 13, 2009 - 12:32 AMI'm a visual artist and I used to regularly sell works in shops and galleries. The going rate 'round these parts at an artist run gallery or boutique shop is about 15 - 35 %. Some galleries also charge a flat rate for a month's exhibition, starting at about $200. This can include opening night costs, advertising and invitations.
you have to think, how much is it worth the artist exhibiting in your place? are you bringing in lots of potential customers? how much work, time or money are you putting in that could contribute to the sale of a work?
as you're just starting out, I'd keep the commission low, and raise it periodically.
good luck! -
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Re: Commision on Artwork at a Dance Studio?
Thu, October 15, 2009 - 3:04 PMI like the start low and raise it periodically idea. Be up front about it: "Right now I'm taking 5% (or 15% or whatever) of sales, but I may change the percentage next year". You could also set up some kind of deal where you go halves on the first $100, and have the rate fall from there...whatever seems reasonable and fair for all parties involved. I wouldn't go too high now, but leave room to go higher in the future as your business plans may change.
Also, you need to have a plan in place in case of thefts/bad checks. -
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Re: Commision on Artwork at a Dance Studio?
Sun, October 18, 2009 - 7:15 AMWell-before you go halves on the first hundred-you may want to see what most artists are charging in their area. We don't have a very vital visual art scene here. If you're doing anything besides tasteful still lifes and nature scenes...you can only charge a couple hundred at the most-and expect to sell it. Selling a painting for $100-and having to give back half of that would be agonizing.
I don't know-I usually have an emotional connection to my pieces though. But a 50% commission would be very painful to most new artists...I think. -
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Re: Commision on Artwork at a Dance Studio?
Mon, October 19, 2009 - 11:36 AMokay- personal experience is that art galleries charge 40-50% & I know of one locally who charges 60%
but, a studio is not a gallery, where folks go intending to look for art purchases. I have no experience with selling at a studio, but my dad sold a few when he was a featured artist at a coffee shop and the commission was 10%. locally, that is in line with what a lot of the bazaars & street fairs charge too. in the studio, you are also trying to sell other things, so you have to take into account the cost of displaying the artwork (whether you are loosing display space for the items you sell in the studio) versus the benefit (getting folks who would not normally come to the studio in the door & thinking about dance classes & performance)
don't know if that's helpful, but it is really not unusual for galleries to charge large fees- but again, they are actively marketing the artwork as well.
Joyce, since I know you are web savvy, have you considered extending your 'featured artist' offerings to the website as well? Even the art galleries (Alaska House, etc) list upcoming first friday artists with a little teaser print on the website to keep folks interested.
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Re: Commision on Artwork at a Dance Studio?
Thu, November 12, 2009 - 12:24 AMThe "50% commission and falling" idea was just a proposal. Of course, no artist should accept that if she's not comfortable with it. I thought it would be a good system to encourage both the host and the artist to publicize sales through that venue for both their benefits. 50% on the first hundred, 25% on the next, 15% on the next would of course benefit the host, but would also allow the artist to make multiple/large sales through the host on the up-and-up (not arranging to sell items after the show to save on commission). If the sold pieces were replaced quickly by new items, everyone benefits with more art exposure and more sales possibilities.
I'm sure this idea has plenty of flaws (especially if sales are minimal). It'sprobably a good thing I'm not in the business of selling art!
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Re: Commision on Artwork at a Dance Studio?
Thu, October 15, 2009 - 5:56 AMI'm not being helpful today- I just wanted to say I'm glad it's you dealing with this & not me :-P
<puts on arch-nemesis hat & runs away giggling>
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Whatever you do...
Thu, October 15, 2009 - 5:56 PMWhatever you decide, suggest you have what happens if the artwork is stolen or damaged covered in writing. -
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Re: Whatever you do...
Thu, October 15, 2009 - 9:26 PMI agree with Maura....Around here, galleries take 10-15% and often in smaller galleries they charge a fee to be hung.....
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Re: Commision on Artwork at a Dance Studio?
Mon, October 19, 2009 - 7:45 PMWell my Dad owns an Art gallery and charges 15%-30% of any art sold there. Commision ammounts are based on if you are a member of the cooperative. But if the art doesn't sell he and the artist make nothing(he doesn't charge a hanging fee). Always the promotion is your are buying a one of a kind, no one else has it, original piece.
As a dancer the studio I am at has been involved in several of Wichita's Final Fridays. It is a huge monthly event that will bring out huge crowds to the art district if the weather is nice. But we have made more money by busking on these nights by being hired by an art studio.
Art and Dance can work well together. I agree with the others to make sure the artist has insurance on their work incase of theft. You don't want to be held liable. Keep up with the first fridays, you will have a lot of fun even if you don't make a lot of money on them. -
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Re: Commision on Artwork at a Dance Studio?
Wed, October 21, 2009 - 6:04 AMI am honestly blown away at the serious difference in percentages between here & where you are Fatinah! I can see where being part of a cooperative would make a difference, but even so- wow! I can't imagine Alaska's cost of business is THAT much higher, but maybe it is- 30-50% seems very consistent for actual galleries up here, tho I haven't had recent experience in venues like coffee shops, etc. Maybe I need to send my husbands work to Wichita... -
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Re: Commision on Artwork at a Dance Studio?
Thu, October 22, 2009 - 4:27 PMWell Lara he is on the very low end here. Most galleries across the country and here charge around 50% and I been to some in NY and LA that charged 90%. I have met folks from both costs that come to the mid west to buy art since it is more affordable here. If the gallery is taking 90% of the sale the artist has to put a high price on the art to make any profit.
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Re: Commision on Artwork at a Dance Studio?
Tue, November 3, 2009 - 7:34 AMAs a visual artist myself, I think it's important for you to keep in mind that your business is the dance studio, not selling art. By all means have an agreement with your artist keeping you from being liable from damage, but also make sure that the art in hung in a way and a place that will keep it safe from being damaged. Do you have martial arts classes in your studio where people are throwing things? Is the temperature and humidity controlled? That could be problematic for the artist, as they're taking a risk entrusting you with their work. Also, any percentage you take is a percentage the artist is not getting. As a dancer, how would you feel if you manager was taking 50% of what he charged for your services. You're also getting free art in your studio for the duration of the hanging, beautifying your business for free. That's worth something too.
Just a thought or two...
