Creating A Collaborative Economy For Artists

All copyrights are retained by the artist,
Mona Majorowicz of Wild Faces Gallery.

The artwork or content in this lens may not be used or reproduced, either
in part or in whole, without the express written consent from the artist.

I have long been in the practice to offer my friends up for services I don't provide. As an animal painter I take on very few portraits (and then only horses) For everything else including people who don't want to wait or pay my prices I hand them over to someone who does the job well and in a timely manner.

Additionally, I know all the frame shop owners in the area by name and have sent work to them when I couldn't do what was needed. (mostly over-size work.)

As an artist you progress by doing continually better work and getting people to connect with it. Whether they connect with your neighbor's work is irrelevant to your success.Could I possibly lose these people I send on, as a customer? (Client, Patron take your pick) Yes. But to me it is more important for them to can get what they need done, than to hold onto them out of selfishness, greed or insecurity.

Okay so here's the thing. Many of the artists and shops in the area, send people to me as well. And that, is my definition of a collaborative economy and how because of it, we can all better our chances for achieving success.

The following are several ways to collaborate.

Studio Tours

I helped to create a studio tour in Northwest Iowa. Many years ago a dozen or so artists got together (myself included) and said "Hey, they have a really successful studio tour in MN, why can't we? and from there And who else can we get to participate?"

I won't lie it was a huge undertaking with a mountain of work. The meetings were 1-2 times a week (for well over a year) an hour away from where I live. (though to be fair everything is an hour away from where I live.) the Artisans Road Trip (A.R.T.) is still alive and still struggling to find it's way. But it is a huge boon for the local artists and allows those who otherwise may not get their work shown, out before an audience.

When I was part of the process, the gist was everybody was juried and paid a fee, everybody puts in the volunteer hours and everybody had a say in how things progressed. By everybody pulling together, we promoted each other as well as ourselves. The essence of a collaborative economy. The event has changed through the years but this essence remains the same.

Cooperative Galleries

I'm sure everyone is familiar with this concept. Usually it's an art group that opens a co-op. Everyone shares the rent, working the sales floor and the benefit of having an actual retail location.

Partnering

Partnering is simply another way to join forces to a mutual benefit.

Since I actually have a storefront I may have more opportunity to find a business for mutual benefit. I have partnered with interior designers (in both selling my work and custom framing) Photographers and other artists.

Another example of partnering is hanging your work in a cafe or restaurant. While this may not technically be helping another artist, it is still to the mutual benefit of both parties.

Recently I agreed to a joint venture with a photographer friend who is opening a studio in a neighboring town. She wanted to offer framing but wants no part in the actual doing of it. So I'll set her up with some samples, she works with the clients, I place the order and frame them, she delivers. It's win win. She offers a convenient service for her customers, I get extra framing work. Plus I give her a commission. I already have this sort of situation with two other locations. One is an artist and one is an interior decorator.

Try not to view success as a competition.

We learn from each other. I would be lying if I said that when working an art event if my booth is plunked next to someone whose work is in direct competition sales-wise with mine, that I don't care if I sell as well as they do. Of course I do. But the key difference is, I don't want to see them fail either. Some of my best friends are artists whose work is in direct competition with myself.

Referrals

When you can't or don't want to do a job, point the customer to someone who will. I collect business cards (a handful if possible, so I can give them out freely) from many types of artists. Since we meet so many artists as well as those needing the service of artists, I am in a good position to suggest people for the job. I usually offer several possibilities (narrow the field a little) but I personally try not to prejudge who is the right fit. By offering them a selection they can choose. Plus if one artist doesn't work (for whatever reason) they still have a back-up or two.

Offer Assistance To Those Who Seek It

For some, this may be teaching classes or writing a helpful squidoo lens. For us, we offer discounts on framing for artists. But we also offer all the "free" advice you want regarding framing, selling prints or business in general. In the past I have cleared entire afternoons to talk with budding artists and discuss what they hope to accomplish and how to get there.

Don't Participate In Negative Conversations About Other Artists.

This is pretty self-explanatory. In the end, that kind of behavior hurts us all.

Support one another at exhibitions.

This is good for two reasons. It comforts the artist and makes the room look full. Lively conversations going on is so much better than that uncomfortable museum like quiet of an empty room.

My dear friend and fellow artist Mari Stewart, was celebrating her 25th year in business as a gallery owner. The area which she has been supporting the arts for so long has suddenly turned into an art hotspot. And while that old adage "When the water level rises, all boats float." somehow in this instance, that isn't how it translated in real life. At least not immediately.

Everyone wanted to be a part of the new scene. Newspapers and artists alike flocked to the new galleries and studios that had sprung up all around her. As a result she may be closing in the near future but she really wanted to do something special and unique for this past season.

So every weekend all summer long, she hosted several artists to come and demonstrate at her gallery. She benefited by having artists that weren't being sold at all the "new" galleries. And was able to offer something special in the way of people being able to meet the artists and watch them (or rather us) work. On one weekend myself and several artist friends got together.

We artists benefited because she spent big dollars on advertising and of course we got to sell out work. She made money on commission sales and got a rush of customers both new and old to stop.

And quite importantly, we all had a lot of fun together.

Do What You Can.

We are all busy with a shortage of free time. But if there is a way you can do something for some other artist . . . do it.

And here's an easy opportunity for you to do just that. If anyone has any other ways to help each other out, please leave a comment. I will update (add it to) this lens with your suggestions as they come in.

Since I had mentioned Cooperative galleries I thought it important to also mention vanity galleries, as they can be easily confused with each other.

What is a Vanity Gallery Anyway?

A vanity gallery is one where you (the artist) pay rent for a wall or cubby. I suppose it is quite similar to an antique mall. Quality is less important than filling the space. The gallery makes it's money through rentals not so much through sales. A traditional gallery takes on artists whose work they believe they can sell. It is from the sales that the gallery makes it's money. A cooperative gallery splits the cost amount the members and profits go towards running the facility not to individual business people.

And why is this significant?
Because a vanity gallery earns it's money whether you sell or not. (Passive Selling) While a traditional gallery has to work at selling your work in order to earn it's money. (Active Selling) Obviously if the gallery earns it's keep by commission only they will work much harder at promoting and selling your work.
A vanity gallery earns it's money whether you sell or not by charging you rent. While a traditional gallery has to work at selling your work in order to earn it's money.

So where's the harm.
The harm is that the vanity gallery often earns it's keep at the expense of emerging artists. That's not to say that they can't actually make some artists money. They can and do. But all too often it is the new artists that are lured into spending money by the promise of sales and exposure.

Because a gallery of this sort does not have to actively sell their artists, chances are it will be a losing proposition. And nothing crushes the spirit more than paying high prices for a space and selling very little or nothing at all.

It is also important to know that participating in a vanity gallery is not a resume' builder. I do not live in a metropolitan place so this may have less consequence here than with those who do. But in places where the arts are . . . vanity galleries are in general looked down upon by the art community as a whole. They are seen as inclusion by purchase, not by skill.

In Closing
As someone who has "been there" and worked harder than a rented mule to make a business from selling my art, I have a strangely maternal instinct in regards to artists taking the leap of faith by entering the sales arena. Though this may seem contrary to all that I have just written I am not saying you shouldn't get involved with a vanity gallery. As always I wrote this post to provide information that will allow for an informed decision.

My name is Mona Majorowicz I am a professional artist who has been making my living selling my work for some time now. I am an animal artist, (meaning I paint critters) who works primarily in Oil Pastel or Water Soluble Pencil.

I own and operate Wild Faces Gallery with my husband Mike in a small rural town in Iowa. There we sell my original artwork and prints, as well as do quality custom framing and offer Giclee printing for other artists as well as for ourselves. I have over 20 years experience in the art and framing industry, both as a business owner and as a working artist.

I maintain a blog called Fur In The Paint, as well as write a regular column for the equestrian magazine Apples 'N Oats about painting horses.

Animals are my passion and art is how I chose to express it.

Art Materials, Techniques and Supplies
How To Paint Fur In Watercolor Pencil
Learn About Watercolor Pencils
Using Watercolor Pencils on Suede Board
Inktense: Water Soluble Ink Pencils
Neocolor ll Water Soluble Wax Pastels
Oil Pastel Technique
Oil Pastels: Some Basic Information
Tips and Tools for working with Oil Pastels
3 Ways To Frame An Oil Pastel Painting

Art Business & Art Marketing
How To Know If You're Ready To Make Prints Of Your Art
Artwork Framing Guide
How To Care For Your Artwork and Prints
Creating A Collaborative Economy For Artists
How To Draw Remarques
Art Marketing: 6 Personality Traits For Success In The Art Market
Art Marketing: When Selling Art Predictable Is Popular
Art Marketing:The Two Most Common Myths
Selling Art: Tips From An Art Fair Veteran

Art Fair & Art Fair Gear Lenses
An Art Fair Primer
All Good Things Come From Art Fairs
20 Things I've Learned From 20 Years of Doing Art Fairs
Choosing The Right Art Fair
Preparing Art Fair Slides & Digital Images For The Jury
Artwork Display Panels
Directors Chair Resource
Art Fair Equipment Essentials
Art Fair Tents And Canopies

Lenses About Me And My Art
Artwork To Benefit Equine Rescue
Wild Faces Gallery Art Lensography
Animal Totems: An Art Series
The Horse Paintings Of Wild Faces Gallery
The African Wildlife Art of Wild Faces Gallery
The Zen Horse: An Art Series
The Draft Horse Art Of Wild Faces Gallery

Art & Critter Related Books, Movies and Music
The Art Books Of Robert Vavra
Hidalgo: The Movie
My Favorite Horse Movies
The Classic Horse Books Of Marguerite Henry
Music For The Art Of Creating
Author Diana Gabaldon's Outlander Series
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
The Art Books Of Robert Bateman
House Of Night Vampire Book Series
Vampire Academy Books Series
The Best Books For Women Who Love Horses
The Best Books For Horse Lovers
Oliver: The Original Gallery Cat
Chicory The Wonder Horse
A Tribute To My Faithful Friend Brutus
Is Declawing A Cat Cruel?
The World Percheron Congress 2010
My Dog Cisco: A Day In The Life Of A Retired Farming Dog
Your Cat Related Questions Answered By Budda The Cat
Meet The Budda
Budda's Dream Time Wish List

Picture Framing & Misc. Artsy Fartsy Stuff
How To Make Paper
How To Collect Your Own Reference Photo Library And Why You Should
Organizing Your Photo Reference Library
How To Stretch Mount A Cross Stitch
Mat Cutting: How To Cut The Basic Mat

Christmas Card, Ornament and Gift Lenses
Create Your Own Christmas And Holiday Art Cards
Alphabet Block Christmas Tree Ornaments
Hanpainted Victorian Christmas Tree Ornaments
How To Make Heart Button Pillow Ornaments
How To Make Felt Carousel Christmas Tree Ornaments
Free Crochet Snowflake Patterns
Handmade Christmas Ornaments, Cards, Gifts & Decorations Lensography
Antique, Vintage & Victorian Postcards
Create These Easy Vintage Postcard Christmas Tree Ornaments
Carousel Horse Christmas Tree Ornaments
Color Fun With Crayola
Art Supplies For Kids
Breyer Collectible Holiday Horses