Art Agents

[Mac Maestro]

Please forgive my lack of knowledge on this subject, but Is there such a thing as an art agent? Someone who represents artists in getting their work into places where the work will be displayed and sold?

Im more familiar with the craft agent, or the distributer. But this to me seems like a different entity.

Just wondering how this correlates to the art world when people like me can make a decent product, but are not quite savvy enough to sell everything they make.

I have many questions, but I'll leave it there for the opener. Any feedback is greatly appreciated as I may not be the only one with these dilemmas.

[Greymatter Glass]

easy answer: yes.

There are agents for artists, and usually the biggest most successful artists have agents.

They're not cheap, and will require negotiation.

You can find them in the yellow pages.

-Doug

[Dennis Brady]

The problem isn't finding an agent. It's convincing one to take you as a client. It's highly unlikely you'll get one to talk to you until you've had a few significant exhibits and awards.

[Ubatuba]

Negative Nancy? Is that you?

[3 rip min]

dennis, youre a real help.
im sure it would be about the same as a distributer, you just have to find them..

[yinzer]

shady...you are quickly becoming my new obsession. i think im falling in love

[jahglass]

Pick up the book "How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist- Selling Yourself Without Selling Your Soul" by Caroll Michels. Lots of information and a large section of resources/contacts....

Matt

[Greymatter Glass]

Actually, Dennis is right. The GOOD ones are only going to rep a sure thing. Their name is as much as the line as the artists they represent.

You have to start small. Do a few solo exhibits, a few group shows, etc... eventually your name gets around and they look for you, since they know what they can sell it's easier for them to find artists rather than artists to just search for reps.

But there's always general reps as well who will rep anything for a fee + commission.

[Steve Sizelove]

Yep, Dennis is right. I know that he pisses people off with his arrogant demeanor, but I think that he's probably right more often that people give him credit. Anyway......

I have a friend that just started working with a rep. He didn't offer the amount he paid, but I'm sure it was significant by most people's standards. The rep saw him at the BMAC in Philly for a while before ever approaching him. From what I heard from others, the rep is very exclusive, but supposedly has the contacts.

And Doug's suggestion of starting small with a few solo shows, well, that's funny. It's no small success to do a solo exhibit! In my time at the torch, I've had one solo gig, at the Indianapolis Art Center. I was psyched to recently start planning one for September 09 at a gallery in LaPorte, IN near Chicago.

[Greymatter Glass]

Steve, I'm thinking even smaller - local coffee shops, student areas, non-traditional gallery spaces... working up to a big solo exhibit is deff. not something to be taken lightly.

[steven p selchow]

A good place to Maestro is some of the art shows down there I use to do, you can make the product, I know you can.

Thats where I met a gallery owner, who also knew a rep that said she would rep me for 15% of gross, that was quite a few years ago now, but they are in sw Florida, and I never pursued the rep thing, but when I was in Cape Coral for 3 days in January, I got asked to put my work in one of the finest galleries on Sanibel-Captiva Island, a Millionaries playground as you probably know, so they came to me. I can pm you one of my former buyers in Naples if you want who told me about that rep.

steve

[Mac Maestro]

Thanks Steve. I joined a local art league that does shows in the park. Got juried in and all. They do shows in a local park during season, so I'm looking forward to that.

I also JUST found a sponsor who says she'll take me to any show I can find as long as she can sell her stuff along with mine. Is that a good idea? I'm guessing it wont be stepping on any toes. SHe's not an artist, but 90% of what she sells is handmade by american artists.

So I guess people in my position should do shows and pound the pavement on my own for a while? Sure would be nice to stay in my cave and just blow glass.

[Mac Maestro]

who also knew a rep that said she would rep me for 15% of gross

That sounds incredible. I'll take one of those. haha.

[Steve Sizelove]

Definitely don't partner with a non-artist for shows! Many shows (at least the good ones) require that the artist be in attendance.


*Plus*

Art/craft shows are for more than selling work. They are an opportunity for you to present you in an environment that you design - your own mini-gallery. A coherent, classy presentation is a must. It all goes toward making your work desirable.

Booths are a big investment, but worth it, if that's the route you choose to sell your work. Personally, I think that most shows aren't worth the effort. (Maybe they used to be, but that's a different subject entirely...) Generally the complete cost of doing a show is substantial. Sales and attendance can vary widely, but many of the costs are consistent (think gas, lodging, promo mailings, loss of work time, etc.). Always research shows and be picky about the events you choose.

Maestro, you have an advantage because of the number of events in your area. Traveling is much less of a cost. However, the affluent clients have discriminating tastes. You should be selective about what you show. Edit your work so that you potential clients only see the best.

That brings me back to my first thought when I read your original post - you'll never sell everything that you make. Every creative person that takes risks makes something undesirable at some point. Give the seconds to friends or family, or donate them to a charity auction if they aren't too bad.

[steven p selchow]

Hey Steves right about that. I have a lot of stuff I made that is really tight, but took a second look, and decided it was second hand, so be really selective. I didn't do that Marco Island National Fine Art Show last year because they moved the date, but thats a show close to you, and I'd consider coming next year, even though its a 3000 mile round trip, it was always worth it for me, take a trip down and ask for an app, they moved it to Febuary. I know that Fleismans park show, which I never did in Naples, If thats the one your talking about, Sunset or Boulavard promo isn't a very good promotor, I'll get that info on my former client for you after Milwaukee.

steve

[Mac Maestro]

Thanks Steve(s)

I stumbled upon the information I need today and thought I would bring this thread back up and share what I found....


Apparently there are organizations out there specificly operating to help artists get exposure. These non profit orgs do shows and place artists in places they usually would not have been able to access on thier own. I tried looking for grants a long time ago with no success, but with this information it all *clicked*

Larger orgs get grants and funding to help the artist. This is the "agent" I was looking for. Look around in your area and you may find a handfull of these organizations. Seems like they mostly work locally. They may take some yearly dues, but exposure is key if you want to find your buyers. I hope this info helps someone.

[steven p selchow]

I haven't been here for awhile, but hope you found something that works for you.. Appreciate that remark about frodo's site, I think we have that worked out, but the comment helped, thank you Jeff,. If you have any questions, call me, I'd bve happy to help or do anything you need.

steve

[Big Jay]

, call me, I'd bve happy to help or do anything you need.

steve

give him some anti-humble pills. Its nice seeing a good artist without a super inflated ego but it sucks seeing a great artist with an under inflated one.

[steven p selchow]

Well...I spelled be wrong, thanks for not raging on an old good artist, Im not great big jay.

[Mac Maestro]

Yeah Steve.

Wipe out Glassartists.org, Glasspipes.org, the people doing glass less time than I that are better than I. Then shut down all hot shops, and bomb glass Italy, Germany, etc... before taking out Eugene, Portland, Seattle, hell just take out the entire left coast of U.S. So I can walk around knowing I am the SHIT!!

Can ya do that for me? K thx.



Lol. I know you mean well Jay, but once you truly look around you'll see SO MUCH amazing work and understand that I'm just a dude in a sea of dudes. (Not to mention all the talented dude-ettes.)