The Hard Truth About Getting Exposure As An Artist

Winsor ©Wendy Froshay

I regularly received requests to donate to one "worthy" cause or another. The pitch? Participating in their charitable event will be "good exposure" for me as an artist. 

Someone once told me that "you can die of exposure." 

The Letter

Dear Artist: 

Each year, our Non-Profit Organization hosts “The Week of the Help-Us-Out”. This week-long campaign features our annual Conference on Helping-Us-Out and the Holiday Brunch (information is attached.)

Would you consider donating art for our Holiday Brunch Silent Auction. In return, The Non-Profit Project will honor your support at the event and on our website (see Holiday Brunch Invitation for details.) Please see the attached information.

On behalf of The Non-Profit Organization Board of Directors, I would like to thank you in advance for your consideration.

Kind regards,

Fill in Name

Executive Director

Koi Tranquility ©Wendy Froshay

A Better Way to Donate
 
Dear Executive Director of Non-Profit Organization asking for another Donation,

I am honored by your request and am frequently contacted for donations.

Yes, I will consider donating art for your silent auction as long as you offer a starting bid at my suggested market price with 50% of the full market price going to me. Everything above that can go to your cause.

Past experience has shown me that artistic donations which sell for low amounts tend to develop unrealistically low expectations on the true value of the art for those who attend and those who win the auction.

My current patrons then become unhappy because their purchases have been devalued... and I lose my buyers. 

FYI -  When an artist donates art, the IRS only allows them to deduct the actual cost of supplies to create that piece of art and none of the time, experience, education or overhead - that's nada for services rendered.

Artists cannot deduct wholesale prices, let alone retail (and trying to figure out exactly how much paint was used per square inch and how much wear on 3 brushes is kind of ridiculous), but such is our tax system. Many organizations who ask for donations from artists do not realize this.

It is much better for the artist to make an actual cash donation that can be fully deducted rather than to freely donate their art.

Note to the Artist:
It's interesting to know that these groups will pay their auctioneers, their staff and workers, printers, and for banquet rooms, plus pretty much everyone else involved - but those who donate are expected to give for free.

How do you feel about donating your art?