Art business ideas can involve creating works of art to sell to private or commercial clients; they can also involve working as a representative or broker for other people's artwork. If an individual is artistically skilled and wishes to make a living using that talent, then creating and selling pieces of art may be an ideal way to make a living. For individuals who enjoy art and want to work with artists, then opening a gallery, co-op, or agency could be a rewarding path to follow. Tutoring or teaching art classes can be used to supplement an art business, while a teaching facility or studio can be a stand-alone art business idea.
Paintings, sculptures, and other fine art items can be sold directly to consumers or marketed through a gallery. Many fine artists use both venues to market their creations to collectors and buyers. Other fine art business ideas include selling to commercial clients like publishers, individual businesses, and advertising agencies. Most freelancers use a variety of art business ideas to get their work in front of prospective buyers; popular methods include advertising, showing in galleries, and sending out promotional cards and materials.
Other art business ideas can include opening a mural or faux painting business, interior design company, or a home staging agency. Individual artists can work together to create a gallery or co-operative studio, allowing them to collectively market art to consumers. Sharing studio and gallery space with other artisans is a way to share expenses as well.
Individuals that simply enjoy being surrounded by art, but don't wish to make a business of creating and selling, can consider several different representational art business ideas. Opening a public gallery is one way to become immersed in the art world without actually being an artist. Artist talent representatives also engage in marketing art created by others; art representation can be offered to fine and commercial artists.
Some of the best art business ideas combine an individual's talent for creating with a flair for marketing. People who enjoy both aspects of selling art have the most flexibility in the type of art business ideas they can consider. Introverts who like to create may prefer art business ideas that focus on making new pieces and leave the selling up to someone else. Extroverts who love meeting new people may prefer marketing the art created by others to the solitary life of a studio artist.