Art in a downturn

[Amy McMorrow]

How will the economic downturn effect your art activities? Do you have any suggestions or ideas for other artists?

[Janet Althoff]

Hmmm..good subject. Art certainly is more of a "want/gotta have it" than "need/necessity." Blaming the economy is positively the "chic" thing to do nowdays! AND RIGHTLY SO! In my "real" job...positively feeling the trickles....!! As far as "my art/passion/mosaicing sickness," I am really not sure....how this is going to affect it. I know that "I cannot change my pricing.....and don't intend to...........my art activities will not change.....every town/city is different and hit by the economy in a different manner...........in some areas, high end artist that ironically sell their art at a higher end have no trouble selling in todays limp economy than those who attempt to sell at a lower end.........it's all about AREA/ENVIRONMENT/LOCATION. In our location..we are feeling the economic pinch! That is why galleries need to have lower end art to get those sells! I think suggestions to other artist would be to "maybe not buy the best canvas...the best paint....the "best" materials...that would be the only way to keep their prices down....you can talk to about any artist, and if they really charged for their time.......then they couldn't sell anything........a lot of time goes into a lot of the artist work and they can't retrieve that in their sells............speaking for myself.......I spend probably too much for some of my "stuff" that I use in my work...and the general public doesn't understand that artist have money put into their art. I dunno...........maybe others' could explore and expand new venues to sell their creations and bypass traditional venues..that is why Heartland Arts is here...right?

[Amy McMorrow]

Well I would think cutting costs on supplies would be a smart thing for artists to attempt.

And you're right about exploring and expanding new venues, I mean our main goal is to get local artists and their work out in front of people. So finding where the people are, hopefully people who have money in their wallets to spend, and getting them used to expecting to see the art there, is part of that. For example on the wine trail, at this early date for HeartlandArts.Net and our shows there, people don't necessarily even know that there's going to be art there, and they might only notice it in passing. So hopefully eventually we can make it where people know that they are not only going to be able to see the nature and get the wine, but also experience the art as part of it.

I think it's a great time for expanding the arts on a local level. There are a lot of crazy things happening that can be used to our benefit. For example, with the current state of the economy, there are decreasing budgets for the arts on a state level, and a decrease in giving to the arts on a philanthropic level. Maybe it's time for a new business model for the arts. I mean, I believe the demand for the arts will never go away and it should be able to sustain itself through something like attendance at events and sale of art. This should be true not just at a high-end level but also for the regular Joe and Jane Doe; art is a necessity, not a luxury, right??

Also, I've been hearing in the news about how it's a great time to be in the arts, because people are cutting back on the material things that have always given some sort of comfort, but people still need beauty and, I guess something like surprises in their hearts to keep them inspired. Maybe the changes that are going on will be a chance for people to open up to a new kind of fulfillment through the appreciation of the arts instead of more and more material things. Of course our goal is to get people to buy our art, right, but if you broaden the access to it, get people to feel more comfortable about it, and understanding what they like, hopefully it will just become more of a part of everyone's daily lives.

Deep thoughts?? Crazy thoughts? Looking forward to hearing other perspectives.

[Josh Burton]

To find a cheaper product with the same quality. It all depends on what type of art you are doing. At this time there are alot of products on sale. You just have to catch them at the right time.

[Rene F de Groof]

I take photographs of race cars at the local dragstrip. I usually take 150 - 175 images on a raceday and sell them to the drivers. Last season I lowered my prices in a way that worked for both myself and my customers. I set up an obsolete computer and a monitor in my truck bed and displayed a slide show of that days pictures, my laptop displays the thumbnails that the orders are taken from. I used to print probably close to 25% of the days images and at the end of the year I had a surplus that I either sold for half price the next season or gave away to the kids in the stands. I now only print to order and get paid in advance. I offer three basic sizes, 8x10, 13x19 and 24x36 posters, all good quality glossy photographs. The switch cost me an investment in an extra monitor and I was able to use an obsolete desktop to drive it. I'm comfortable with this switch as I sell every one I print and the customer gets a price break.

[Carol Moore]

Rene I would love to know how you do this. I live right next to Gateway International and they have races every week and during the week for who ever wants to race their car. How do you get the word out to the racer that you have the photos? I love racing and this would be right up my alley! Thanks!

[Josh Burton]

Remmember with any cheap material, it might not hold up to the ravages of time as well compared to the more expensive materials. So if the painting is of better quality in the style used it might sell better. Of course it might be that the buyers just like the picture better and that is why they pay more. What we have to find is a secret....

[Barb Naas]

I've learned that being diversified as an Artist can not only make life interesting, it can help pay the bills. In any economy, a collector will often 'do without' in order to aquire their hearts desire, though their desire may be a lesser priced Art piece.
I've found I can spend the same amount of time & materials lampworking a bead that sells for under 10.00 or a 'to scale' miniature that sells for 30.00 and up in the Art Miniatures world community. As long as you are willing to apply your skills, talents, and interests - add into the mix the venerable Internet - and think outside the box, so much is possible.

barb

[Amy McMorrow]

Hi there, here's an article I came across today with some interesting suggestions:
http://emptyeasel.com/2009/04/09/11-cost-effective-ways-market-your...

Cheers,
Amy