Artist Group

We're forming a new professional art group in the Phoenix, AZ area to cover the business side of art for individual artists. So if you want to increase the sales of your work please join us -- we'd love your input.

Just fill out the application listed below and email it to artistinfo@cox.net or call Bob at 480-926-4281 with any questions. I can also email you the application as a Word document upon request.

Our meetings will be about the marketing ABC’s of the individual artist business. The topics will relate to how we all, as individual artists, can improve the way we do business.

While many art groups revolve around the art process, we will focus on the business end of art. You will be able to hear and see professional artists from different mediums discuss their experiences with other members. The short talks and group discussions will directly relate to your own art business. This knowledge will give you new ideas to explore that will lead to our goal: selling more art.

ABG is not the group where one person stands up and lectures for the night’s program. We prefer a professional give and take atmosphere in an informal social setting. Think of it as more of a group round-table discussion at lunch or at a member’s artist studio. No one will be required to give out any information that they consider proprietary.

We'll decide the 2 or 3 main topics we will discuss at the following meeting in advance based on what members want to talk about. This way we know that we will have some known topics for each meeting. For example, instead of asking members to come up with long formal talk topics, each member can give a talk on an art business related topic for about 10 minutes followed by a group discussion on the topic which may involve further questions for the speaker.

This group is about sharing ideas with other members so you will be expected to be part of the discussions and occasionally give a short lecture.

The topics will be determined by the members but will vary since many different art mediums may have different issues to discuss. Most of the topics will be general and related to most art mediums. Here are a few examples of what some discussions might be about:

1. Lets say a member started a newsletter with email addresses they have collected over the past years. They could discuss their experiences with how they set up the process, the feedback from their customers and how the newsletter benefited or not benefited their business. We can learn from what works and what hasn't.

2. Another topic could be related to purchasing common art supplies at wholesale prices such as mattes, frames or paints.

3. A member may want to discuss different selling markets and what worked for them such as displaying art at non gallery places such as at a government building or coffee houses, exhibits at juried art shows, selling at large art shows or selling small art items wholesales to stores.

4. Another discussion could be money-related such as what can be written off as an art related business expense or what trade discounts interior designers may be looking for in a purchase of multiple pieces of art for their clients.

5. A member may want to discuss how to close a sale after discussing an art piece with a customer.

You could probably think of 50 different topics. You get the picture. It's all about what the individual members have specific knowledge of and wish to share with the rest of the group.

While most art groups allow anyone with an interest in the arts to join, this is more of a professional group and will have further restrictions. Each person will be required to fill out a simple application form that will be reviewed by a small review committee.

This is not a social group for people who only produce an occasional piece of art. This group is for existing professional visual artists, whether full or part time, who are serious about promoting and making money off of their art.

2. Currently active in selling your own art and show you have a history of selling art on a regular basis.

3. You do not need to be a full time artist or support yourself with sales from your art, but you should think of yourself as a professional artist with the desire to make more money from your art.

4. You must have a current business license to sell art in at least one city and have a State tax ID number if required by law. The idea being that you treat art as a business, claim it as a business on a tax return, and collect sales tax when appropriate.

5. You must be willing to share in the discussions and occasionally give a talk on an art related topic.

Currently there are no dues. Your costs would be the price of the meal if we meet at a restaurant or the cost of any paper handouts you may want to pass out at a meeting on a discussed topic. Certain costs may come up from time to time such as chipping in for actual cost if we meet at someone’s home or studio to offset host food or supply costs.

While we would prefer to keep our group small, if we grow to a size where we need to rent a room somewhere, we may need to charge a fee.

We would like to meet monthly and have a set day/time if possible each month to encourage members to keep that time available promoting frequent participation at the meetings. We will be based in the East Valley of Phoenix such as in the Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler area but that does not mean we will not vary the location based on special meeting places such as a member’s studio location.

Since this is a professional group, we would prefer to meet at a breakfast or lunch time with the meetings lasting about two hours including the meal. We are also open to evening hours if needed based on when the majority of members are available.

You can also download the Artist Business Group application Word document by clicking on the following link and do a "open or save". Application download file

Name         __________________________________________________________________

Address    _______________________________________________________________

City          ______________________________ State ____ Zip __________________

Phone       ____________________________

Email      ____________________________    Art Web Site _____________________

We are looking for members with different experiences, so do not feel that you need to be selling for a number or years or currently be really successful at selling your art. We are just trying to get some information so we can get a good mix of members.

What is your art medium(s) and how long have you been making art in this medium?

Do you currently have a State tax license number (Yes/No)?
Do you currently have a city business license (Yes/No)?
If you do not need certain licenses such if you only sell thru a gallery or another reason, just let me know.

What kind of locations have you sold your art which could include places such as galleries, your own business location/studio, web site, small or large art shows, solo exhibits or group exhibits? This would not include places that you have exhibited but not sold your art.

Are you willing to on occasion give a short lecture on an art topic you are familiar with?

If no personal web site is listed above or an on-line web site that shows your art, please email three sample images of your art or you can send three small prints such as 4” x 6” in the mail.

Optional: List a few art business topics you would feel comfortable talking about:

Optional: If you have an artist statement or resume handy that is not already on your web site, email or mail this information also.

Please email application to artistinfo@cox.net or call me with any questions at 480-926-4281.
The application can also be mailed to: