art show question
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- Momentum2
so who has ever hosted an art show? Do you just need a place? Do you need any permits if your going to sell your art? any tips would be nice!
thanks in advance
- rockonski0
i've done it. you should have a business license, but not necessary. tip: do it through a dealer & don't sell your self short.
dyi art shows lack clout. but they're cool.
- Momentum20
i've done it. you should have a business license, but not necessary. tip: do it through a dealer & don't sell your self short.
dyi art shows lack clout. but they're cool.
rockonski
(Jun 28 06, 11:38)what do you mean "do it through a dealer"
- traut0
ive organized and held art shows but through galleries so all the paper work is through there end i just hang the art and show up
- mrpt0
If your going through a fairly successful gallery be prepared to wait at least 9-12 months and longer. Galleries usually have their schedules set for the year.
- Momentum20
oh okay nice... ya i was just worried about paper work.. thanks for the tips
- flavorful0
My sister is having a new art show up in Boston in early August.
I can ask her what the hell the deal is in regards to the process if you want.
- Momentum20
My sister is having a new art show up in Boston in early August.
I can ask her what the hell the deal is in regards to the process if you want.
flavorful
(Jun 28 06, 11:48)that would be sweet! thanks flav
- horton0
are you trying to show your art or organizing a group show?
and depends on the space you book.. if its a gallery or retail space you can sell as they would any other product. whoevers writing the sales receipts needs to charge sales tax (where applicable). galleries are of course going to want a nice %.
if you're not using retail space i'd imagine some kind of temp license would be required.
if you want to start selling your art longterm better-off approaching some galleries that suit your work and try to book a show next year.
- flavorful0
E-mail sent.
I think this one is through a gallery, so I'm not sure if there is much paper work involved.
Just setting up shop and getting the word out, I could be wrong.
- Momentum20
thanks flav
- flavorful0
No problem homie.
- Momentum20
thanks for the tips horton... ya its going to be a group show, its still in the idea stage so i just want to see what needs to be done to actually have the ball rollin
- blastofv0
As long as it's held in a place of business, there shouldn't be any need for paperwork, unless you're worried about serving wine/drinks etc., or if the space is restricted as far as after-business-hours events
otherwise, just plan it and tell everyone when to show up... on the sales side, just make sure sales tax is collected and records are kept
it can't help to stop in to city/town hall to ask about event permits etc. also
- GreedoLives0
getting the space is the hardest. you either have to shell out massive amounts up front or be prepared to give up to 50% of your sales to the space. unless you can find some cool diy outfit that'll let you put up for no $ at all.
If it's just you doing all the selling, no middle man, i wouldn't worry about tax stuff. Cash transactions can't be proven, take checks at your own risk.
Also think about security, we've had pieces ripped off of places where there wasn't someone there watching the joint during opening hours. If you go through a gallery, ask about insurance, if they don't have any, bolt your stuff to the wall if they let you (assuming you care enough about it).
- SAS0
I worked at a contemporary art gallery for a couple of years and helped organize a lot of exhibitions.
-You should definitly stop in at city hall and see if there is any permits that you need. You could check into arts and crafts fairs to see what sellers do there.
-If you are renting a space you might need liability insurance.
-We never needed permits for alchohol since we werent selling, and we only provided wine, not hard liquor.
-Check with the Franchise Tax Board.
-If you want people to buy then I reccomend getting a credit card machine.
Of course you could just do it as a seat of the pants sort of thing, hope you dont get caught and be prepared to pay some fines.
- GreedoLives0
getting caught is punk rock!
- horton0
if you're selling the art for any kind of decent coin ($500+) most people are gonna want to use their credit cards and/ or a legit reciept with sales tax.
- Atkinson0
im doing one now, feel free to enter
- Atkinson0
so thats www.postitpostit.com oops
- scransom0
a few bits of advice for artshows.
1. Go to openings at a few different galleries. (especially good commercial ones) and copy their techniques.
2. There's a book called, "How to survive and prosper as an artist without selling your soul that goes over all the details you need to do to plan.
(there's a lot of behind the scenes stuff you won't see the galleries doing that the book talks about.)
I like when there's a few designated sales people to handle transactions immediately and let the artists be free to just talk with & greet everyone.
Its good when there's a list of works with prices and numbers and also a number on the wall by each peice in pencil.
When the show's over it's nice when the artwork is packaged up with the buyer's name on it so it's ready to go.
Also, I recommend putting labels on the back with artist, title and date info to help future collectors/historians find/track your work better.