Although it’s certainly a creative and fulfilling outlet, at the end of the day, art is how many artists make their living. Which means that money has to play a role. And it’s the same for art consultants! This is their business, and they have to make a profit in order to sustain themselves. At this point, you may be wondering how the business side of art consulting could possibly impact you. As long as they’re willing to pay your rates, it shouldn’t really matter about the rest of their business operations, right? While that’s true to an extent, the fact is that here—as with any profession—knowledge is power. The more you know about the business of art consulting, the more you can use that knowledge to grow your own business as an artist.

Second of a 3-part series on the business of art consulting by Peter Hite. In the first article of this series, we covered the basics of art consultants: who they are, why they matter to you as an artist, and how you can find compatible consulting firms. Remember that a single well-matched art consulting relationship will be much more fruitful than a dozen poorly matched ones—so don’t be afraid to spend time researching before you take any next steps. Once you have put in the effort and identified several consultants who seem like a good fit, you, of course, have to actually reach out to them. The commissions won’t come to you unless the consultants respond to your emails or find you on CODAworx. And that’s what we’ll be exploring today: how art consultants prefer to be contacted and how to make a memorable first (or second…or third…) impression.

The curve and sweep of Joe Gitterman’s sculptures reflect a lifelong fascination with the physical dynamics and emotional impact of dance. “I have always been passionate about dance performance. As an audience member, I am intrigued by the constant change of shapes and the seemingly endless variety of forms. My passion is trying to turn a fluid motion into a three-dimensional item.”

First of a 3-part series on the business of art consulting by Peter Hite. As a site-specific artist, private commissions are an important part of my work. They not only stretch me creatively, but they’re also oftentimes more lucrative and less competitive than public commissions—a combination that, as we all know, isn’t always easy to find.

Rosemary Feit Covey creates imagery that elevates the natural world to the realm of allegory and fable through her visual poems.

How to Commission an Artist - Case Study for Real Estate Developers. A real estate developer in Madison, Wisconsin commissions an exterior mural using the CODAworx RFP Toolkit.

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If there's a current that runs through the career of metal sculptor Linda Leviton it's that she seeks harmony in the combination of opposites. From her early days as a graphic designer to her present, well-established career as a professional artist with hundreds of national commissions, collections, and awards under her belt, Leviton has created works where visual tension resolves into a harmonious whole.

In the heart of Bavaria’s capital city lies the Kunstareal, the museum quarter, home to some of Germany’s most famous… Read More

Somebody needs to pinch Joe Gitterman. A lifelong metal sculptor who created pieces for his own enjoyment, it wasn’t until… Read More