PRICING
Look around, go to shows, ask your contemporaries – your prices should be in line with theirs in terms of experience, exhibiting, selling and (roughly) medium. Editions are usually less expensive than original works. If you are leaving college, your tutors should help you. Don’t be shy to ask galleries and good curators you are working with. It is important to get this right. Most galleries are not very open about their prices, but you can ask. College degree shows try to sell their students’ work – these are good places to ask at for younger artists. The fairs are a great way to get a sense of prices, but of course this is for artists at a certain level – however, you should get a feel.
Don’t be tempted to go too high too quickly. Galleries are very careful about putting their artists’ prices up – you can never really put them down. Be consistent – prices for your work should be the same no matter where you are selling. This does not mean you cannot negotiate discounts, but the price should be the price, from your studio/a gallery/a fair. Of course, if you are represented by a good gallery, you can be guided by them.
COMMISSIONS
Things to think about:
- Where and how will you be identified as the artist?
- Who actually owns the work?
- If you do not not own the work, can it be moved/demolished/altered?
- Work maintenance and care – are there instructions? Who is responsible?
- How and when will you be paid?
It is not unusual to ask for up to half of the commission fee upfront for materials. Have a written agreement.