Artists: do you need an art agent?

Most visual artists dream of having an agent who will market their work, win collectors for them, and help them by doing all those tedious, non-artistic things like marketing and sales.

But the reality is that it is extremely difficult to find a good agent and one that you can work well with.

IS THAT HOW IT WORKS:

The agent-artist relationship works differently in each situation. Generally, the agent will agree to represent an artist in exchange for a payment, either as a percentage or as a monthly advance.

A percentage payment ranges from 30% to 50%. In this case, the agent would be paid when the artworks are sold and paid for.

A monthly advance or stipend arrangement is where the agent would be paid a specific dollar amount each month. Some agents charge $ 1,500 per month, others charge $ 2,500 per month. The downside to this deal is that you get paid regardless of what is sold.

WHAT IS WRONG:

The reason it’s hard to find a good agent and then make it work is that if you pay someone on a% basis, the agent ends up spending many hours without paying. Over time, the agent will lose strength and you will lose faith.

Most artists cannot pay an agent a monthly advance, so such an arrangement is very rare.

THE BEST AGENTS:

The best agents are well connected and therefore spend less time connecting you with buyers and offers. But, to get one of the best agents to work with you, you will have to be a proven salesperson, or the next best emerging artist in their eyes.

ALTERNATIVE TO AGENTS:

Consultants: You can hire consultants based on your needs. I have often hired consultants to help me solve a problem with which I have little experience. They charge by the hour and are a great resource.

Represent yourself: Representing yourself is the most common way to do it. It is preferable, in my opinion. You will have more control over what happens to your art, your brand and your connections. You can also keep all your winnings. The downside is that you will have to work harder. But many artists represent themselves very well.

To do the best job of representing yourself, take the time to get education on marketing, sales, and promotions. Read artist books – there are a lot of good ones out there. Take classes, online and live. Use the experience of consultants.

And remember, you are not in a race. Take your time and you will get where you want to go.