About Art Marketing Reps’
Is a Art Marketing Rep for you?
Most artists I know are always asking me to sell their art work. The problem I have with this is the artist doesn’t want to really pay for this type of service. Most Artists don’t think of their art work as a product only of an expression of what they are feeling. Or …they think selling out of galleries is too expensive because they take too much money in commission. Then there are galleries who have their stories of rude artists.
Yes, there some wonderful Art Representatives who are very successful. Most Art representatives will take on an artist when they are in their mid-career or have some recognizably. Greg Bloch of Triad Publishing will tell a new artist that wants representation, “That they need to know that Art reps need to make a profit as well.” If the Artist doesn’t appreciate what a rep will do for them, he suggests that the Artists needs to forget about reps and galleries to sell their art work.
I have had many discussions and debates with Artists about this very topic. (Mostly, there is a negative attitude towards galleries). An Entrepreneur in business cannot do everything - sometimes we think we can - this is a big mistake. Artists need to think of themselves as an Entrepreneur as well or their own Marketing Rep.
When an Artist isn’t selling their art work, it is usually that they aren’t out marketing and promoting themselves nor do they have help in getting their art sold. My art doesn’t sell in the closet, does yours? Not likely. Plus there are many other reasons why their art isn’t selling.. more into this another time.
Back to Art Reps, some galleries get 60% of the retail sale and give artist 40%. In New York the standard is be tween 60% - 40% and sometines even higher percentage of a 80/20 split.
In order to have a rep, the artist needs to have several meetings before you will move forward in having a great working relationship. This is a relationship built on trust. Just like any other relationship. Jack White says “It’s like a marriage partner.” www.jackwhiteartist.com
A good rep will handle all reproductions, releases, advertising and promotional materials. This can run into the thousands of $$ before the rep sees a return on his or her investment. A good rep earns every dime that they make from you. It is not a free ride for the art rep.
Some Art rep’s will charge you a flat fee anywhere from $1,000.00 per month and up. It all depends on what kind of services you expect them to do for you.
Where do you find an Art Rep?
Art publications; your fellow artists; ask at a gallery. You can even google Business Development & Services for Artists or Art Consultants.
Mari-Lyn ♥
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