Money for making art

Patron

The relationship between patron and artist involves a balanced exchange of gifts and counter-gifts. The work of art has a central role in this. Every giving relationship has its own dynamics; unfortunately, a ready-made formula for success does not exist. Anyone can find a patron. It may be easier for well-known artists, but that is not a requirement. And anyone can become a patron. If you are wealthy you will be more likely to have room for solid financialiële support, but a patron can also contribute to one's artistry in more modest and creative ways. Patronage, at its core, is about encouraging and protecting the development of creators. This can also take the form of encouragement, recognition, support, networking, co-creation, space and good advice.

Anyone can find a patron

It is often not easy to let people know that you need support. Because the government is committed to a firm culture of demand, art is quickly dismissed in social discussions as a "charity," a pauper domain to be "saved. But maintaining a giving relationship is not a matter of holding up your hand. It is important to think carefully about what you want to give your givers in return for their support and what not. It is a matter of sharing and finding the balance.

It is often not easy to let people know you need support

So a successful giving relationship is reciprocal, but unlike regular revenue models, there are no hard agreements about the transactions. It is important to keep in mind that, as an artist, you give much in return for the support you receive: intellectual capital, inspiration, depth, context, content, prestige, meaning, interesting stories - all things that cannot be bought. And which are perceived by givers as more than adequate quid pro quo for their support.

As an artist, you are an expert in areas that an art collector is passionate about. Take your giver to the museum and share and knowledge and your perspective. You can also invite your giver into your studio and give insight into your artistic process. As an artist, stay at the wheel and decide to what extent you are open to it.

Crowdfunding

Instead of ONEn large givers, you can use crowdfunding to find lots of small givers to support your work. In this way, you immediately build a "fan base" of geïn interested parties. Because you have to present yourself, you are forced to think carefully about your own positioning. In addition, with crowdfunding you immediately promote your own work. It is important to take good care of donors: by keeping donors informed of your work even after the project is over, you ensure a sustainable fan base.

Tips for successful campaigns

• Communicate openly, concretely and publicly about what you will spend the money on. It is more fun for givers to contribute to an exhibition than to "production and administrative costs.
• Create urgency. Your audience must be able to make an impact - their (small) donation must really make a difference. Particularly at the beginning and end of a campaign (the ideal duration is 35 days), urgency is high: that's when donors really feel they are making something possible.
• Invest in a lasting relationship with your supporters. Build a bond with them through updates and keep them involved after the project as a fan base with a newsletter, for example.
• Start "quietly": in the first week of the campaign, approach people who support you no matter what, such as family and close friends. When donations are already visible, the threshold for others to donate becomes lower. At that point you approach people in your network through social media, for example. The third step is future fans, people you don't yet know but who hear about your campaign through word of mouth. That way, by the end of your campaign, you will receive donations from strangers.
• Don't be afraid to repeat yourself: it takes people five to seven times to see what you're about and make a donation.
• In your budget, keep in mind the quid pro quos: they also cost money. Also try to avoid making those too much trouble.
• Dare to think outside the box.

Culture+Enterprise's detailed article can be found here.