Just think of it…
an entire gallery full of your artworks with crowds of people looking at them admiringly and ready to part with a sizable amount of cash to take them back to their own homes. Does this sound like a dream? Does this sound like something you would like to do? If the little superstar in your head is now screaming ‘Yes, Yes, Yes!!!’ then read on.
In this series of articles on setting up and running your first art exhibition we dive into all the stuff we need to think about before we pop the cork on the champagne and declare the exhibition open. We get the hard decisions out of the way up front so that you’ll know up front that you have a better chance of success.
This series contains the combined knowledge of my wife and myself (we are both artists and creativity professionals) about organising and running art exhibitions. We’ve run many art shows, some fantastically successful where hundreds of people turned up and bought tens of thousands of dollars worth of art, and some where the profit we received was in the education we gained of how to be smarter the next time. We learnt on our feet just by getting out there and doing it, and hopefully I can now save you some time (not to mention thousands of $$$) as you head towards your glorious exhibition opening night!
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You’ve made the decision, you’re strapped in, ready for blast off, fame and fortune awaits. “Come on Stuart, get me to the good stuff now (and quickly!)” I hear you say.
Hold on there cowboy! We’ve got to touch base with reality for just a little while longer before you head for the stratosphere.
Let’s get the hard stuff out of the way first!
Before you waste any more time and money on this whole crazy scheme you need to dig deep and discover:
and once you’ve completely banished any self doubt and are convinced of your genius we ask the obvious question:
Even though as an artist you sometimes like to hide away, lost in your own wonderful world of creativity, at some stage you’ll have to emerge and find real people to invite to your art exhibition in order that they can buy the wonderful things that you make, so you’d better discover:
- How to promote your art exhibition with a mini portfolio
- How to make a mini art portfolio
- and How to get people to almost beg for your business card
and if you’re still lounging on the couch thinking about creating all that art for your night of art fame and stardom then actually booking a venue and setting a time and date for your exhibition might be a good way to get you motivated, so head on over to:
On opening night you need some important people to come along and sing your praises to everyone else so…
and don’t forget you’ll need some other people to come along and fill the room, preferably with cash or credit card in hand, so you will need to know:
Once you’ve got everyone at your exhibition you don’t want to miss a single opportunity so you might need some tips on:
Just in case there is absolutely anything I have forgotten in the above then make sure you read:
After reading the tips on your website I ran my own art show for one day out of my house and made $700+ !(pretty good for someone just out of highschool) I used the ‘favorite’s list’ technique and it was a major success. I also asked how they found out about the show so I could learn what advertising techinques are worth my time and money. Thanks for your great tips and sense of humor!
Well done Amelia. Glad you found my advice so lucrative 🙂
Amelia,
How did you go about having an art show out of your home?? Did you have people come in to your home, did you set up on your patio or garage, or did you take pictures for them to be viewed online and then have them come look in person when they chose what they like??
I am trying to get a show set up for my daughter-in-law and any kind of advice would greatly appreciated.
Thank you for some great information and tips. I am holding my solo exhibition in 9 months time and will let you know how it went.
As I prepare for my exhibition, I find your sight very helpful in my process. Thank you for all this wonderful information!
This is really helpful to any artist who’s want to kick his/her own solo art exhibition around d world.
Thank you for all the information. It will be very helpful for my future exhibition.
Hi, I am Alex. I am a student from De Anza College. I am now working on an exhibition for fund raising to the Oxfam America. However, I am kind of stuck so I would like to ask for so professional advice like yours. Would you mind to share me some by e-mail? I am looking forward to seeing your reply. Thank you
Hi Alex,
feel free to ask your questions right here.
Hi,
I know a million of people have said it, but I’m saying it again – fantastic article. You’ve written it in a way which is easily understandable, interesting and just all round brilliant.
Thank you!!!
P.S: How long would you recommend a exhibit should run for? (Eg a week?) And would you recommended a closing night as well? (I was originally thinking, a week long exhibit with a do on the last night, and having one piece on auction through out the week (as well as other items for sale))…I didn’t even think of an opening night! Any help would be MOST appreciated!
Thanks again 🙂
Thanks for your kind words.
I’ve run exhibitions for up to a month, and some short ‘pop up’ ones just for a weekend.
A week at least in a good gallery would be minimum, but I’ve found its usually two.
(people like to visit and then return later to buy… too short a time and your art will be gone before they return)
It all depends on where it is and how many people you expect to attend and whether the location will get ongoing traffic during the exhibition run.
Never done a closing night though. That might be depressing if you havent sold much! 😉
but of course if the exhibition was a big success then it would be a fun celebration (but it would be an extra expense).
Auction.. might be interesting too… as long as you can get decent bids.
otherwise it could affect your pricing negatively.
Whatever you do try to presell some art BEFORE the exhibition so that you have some big red dots on artworks as soon as the exhibition opens.
Everyone knows that big red dot are important. 😉
See
http://creativitypro.com/find-a-famous-friend-to-open-your-exhibition
http://creativitypro.com/how-to-have-a-massive-art-exhibitionopening-night
and maybe
http://creativitypro.com/how-to-build-a-marketing-list-at-your-exhibition
Haha, that is true – what a rubbish party that would be!!!!! Opening night it is 🙂
Thanks so much Stuart, I’ve already read all your articles, so defiantly back to the drawing board. But you’ve given me a good boost of motivation and all your ideas are excellent (mini art portfolio and the 5 card trick – genius) It’s really great to find some decent advice,
🙂
I’ve been thinking of doing a show. I had no idea how to get started. Thank you for all of the information you have shared. I feel much more confident in moving forward.
I have to admit that I am one that tends to like to hide behind my photographs.
If you work in a variety of media and they all are show worthy quality can you show a variety of your artwork or should you stick with showing one type of media at a time. Ex. all oil paintings, or all sculpture/installations, or all printmaking.
Where are places that will allow me to hold an art exhibition?
Thank you for the informative article Stuart.
I am planning on having an exhibition but I am trying to figure out the minimum number of months I should take to plan it out properly. Of course, I do understand that it depends on the number of paintings i want to present etc. but on average how many months/weeks in your opinion would be sufficient?
Thank you so much
Ira
Ideally for me.. its a two year process(!) but it all depends on the lead time for the space you are booking (good galleries often book years in advance) and the complexity of your work. How long does it take for you to create an artwork? Multiply that by the number of artworks you need, add on some time for framing or whatever. The main thing is to book your space early in the process. Don’t just create your works then go looking for a space. 🙂
Hi Stuart,
Excellent article. I have a different case, however, and I’d like to ask your two cents on it. I am looking to hold a travel blog exhibit, showcasing my photos and stories. Do you have any tips? I am not looking to sell any photos so it’ll mainly be for exhibit and browsing, sharing stories.
Please let me know!
Thank you!
Shayne
I’d say try and set up the exhibition so that the online travel blog and the live exhibit are connected in some tangible way, so one seamlessly interfaces with other. Do out of the box stuff. eg. Set up a live webcam in front of one of the key pieces and run a live stream from it to your web page next to the image posted online on your site. Give people pieces of paper to write their reactions to the piece and hold it up in front of the camera. Have a screen next to artwork where there are compilations of the reactions. There.. hope you think that idea was worth two cents.
I think I will do an art show maybe next year after the holidays. I may have someone that is famous to help me promote. I thank you very much for your tips!