5 answers
Colin
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
2
Questions
Asked
1018 views
How do I make good money as an artist?
I know that artists typically make a small amount of money, but some can also make a lot more than average.
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5 answers
Azima Leyyan
Digital Technology & Design Student
5
Answers
Doha, Qatar
Updated
Azima’s Answer
Building a strong online presence is always one of them, networking with industry professionals can help you stand out and attract higher-paying job opportunities. Here's a suggestion, some artistic careers pay significantly more than others, like in the entertainment industry (filming, gaming, etc.) or tech and corporate jobs—so consider building your network in those specific areas.
Another thing is to find side jobs such as freelance jobs. By diversifying your source of income, it can help you increase your earnings. You can offer services showcasing your best field, such as poster making, logo design, animation, or handmade items to your clients, which you can also serve as a self-employed business.
You can find freelance opportunities through Fiverr, ArtStation, Upwork, 99designs, Etsy, or by marketing yourself on social media. Additionally, with this opportunity, you can surely develop your skills further, and you can put your work as a portfolio—which can help you with your job application for a higher-paying job.
Another thing is to find side jobs such as freelance jobs. By diversifying your source of income, it can help you increase your earnings. You can offer services showcasing your best field, such as poster making, logo design, animation, or handmade items to your clients, which you can also serve as a self-employed business.
You can find freelance opportunities through Fiverr, ArtStation, Upwork, 99designs, Etsy, or by marketing yourself on social media. Additionally, with this opportunity, you can surely develop your skills further, and you can put your work as a portfolio—which can help you with your job application for a higher-paying job.
Eda Korkuter
I work in the museum industry as a designer and exhibition assistant.
16
Answers
Izmir, Turkey
Updated
Eda’s Answer
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that artists who are now earning a lot of money started from humble beginnings. Every artist has faced challenges and gone through certain stages before reaching their current position. To achieve this, making an effort—and doing it the right way—is essential.
From my own experience, meeting as many people as possible and stepping into different environments is crucial. Networking helps you promote your work, share your interests, and stay in people's minds.
Of course, being in the right location matters. You need to find spaces that align with your goals and target audience so that people recognize and promote you. One opportunity leads to another.
To expand your reach, you can offer different versions of your art or designs to various people and platforms. This way, you can appeal to a broader audience and allow more people from different fields to discover you.
The more you put yourself out there, the more opportunities you create.
From my own experience, meeting as many people as possible and stepping into different environments is crucial. Networking helps you promote your work, share your interests, and stay in people's minds.
Of course, being in the right location matters. You need to find spaces that align with your goals and target audience so that people recognize and promote you. One opportunity leads to another.
To expand your reach, you can offer different versions of your art or designs to various people and platforms. This way, you can appeal to a broader audience and allow more people from different fields to discover you.
The more you put yourself out there, the more opportunities you create.
Joseph Spirtos
Enter art contests
22
Answers
Poland, Ohio
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
Hey there!
It is true that most artists don't make to much money. However, you could always try being an art teacher. I believe that teachers make at least decent money. You can also try entering art in contests that give cash prizes; even though the prize money might not be much, at least its a start!
It is true that most artists don't make to much money. However, you could always try being an art teacher. I believe that teachers make at least decent money. You can also try entering art in contests that give cash prizes; even though the prize money might not be much, at least its a start!
育嫻 林
Forest therapist, artist
1
Answer
Taoyuan City, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
Updated
育嫻’s Answer
I understand the practical considerations behind this issue. After all, economic income cannot be ignored for anyone, and artists are no exception. However, I think before thinking about how to make money, it is more worthwhile to ask yourself: "Why do I want to be an artist?"
The original intention of creation often determines the path we choose. If the goal is purely to make money, perhaps one can cater to market demand, create popular and easy-to-sell works, or even run art as a brand and establish a business model. These are indeed ways to make art bring in stable income. But if art is not just a commodity for you, but a form of expression, a way to explore the world and your inner self, then perhaps it is more important to find ways to support your creation in the long term rather than blindly pursuing short-term financial returns.
Making money and creating art are not opposing choices, but rather a balance needs to be found. We can think about how to make creations that can sustain life without losing the essence of art. This may mean developing multiple sources of income, such as applying for arts grants, residency programs, selling works or art-related products, hosting workshops, or even looking for collaborations with different fields.
Ultimately, artistic creation is a long-term journey. Financial stability may be part of it, but what drives us to keep moving forward is often our inner love and belief in art. If we can be clear about our creative ideas and find ways to connect them with reality, then perhaps we can go further and more steadily on this path.
The original intention of creation often determines the path we choose. If the goal is purely to make money, perhaps one can cater to market demand, create popular and easy-to-sell works, or even run art as a brand and establish a business model. These are indeed ways to make art bring in stable income. But if art is not just a commodity for you, but a form of expression, a way to explore the world and your inner self, then perhaps it is more important to find ways to support your creation in the long term rather than blindly pursuing short-term financial returns.
Making money and creating art are not opposing choices, but rather a balance needs to be found. We can think about how to make creations that can sustain life without losing the essence of art. This may mean developing multiple sources of income, such as applying for arts grants, residency programs, selling works or art-related products, hosting workshops, or even looking for collaborations with different fields.
Ultimately, artistic creation is a long-term journey. Financial stability may be part of it, but what drives us to keep moving forward is often our inner love and belief in art. If we can be clear about our creative ideas and find ways to connect them with reality, then perhaps we can go further and more steadily on this path.
Kim Matthews
Graphic Production Designer and Sculptor
112
Answers
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Oh, Colin. That is the million-dollar question. So much depends on your talents, skills, interests, social connections, resilience, and ability to cope with constant change.
Be prepared to work really hard at your chosen discipline, network with other artists and people who might be able to help you, and find ways to generate income through work outside your studio as well as self-employment. Once you get a good group of quality work samples (a cohesive body of work, if you're a studio artist, or a diverse portfolio that shows your technical and conceptual skills if you're designer or illustrator), you can start posting on venues like Instagram, Behance, your own website, and subscriber-based art communities such as Artrepreneur. I know Facebook is for "old people," but there are thousands of artists there from all over the world, sharing their work with each other and networking for exhibition and other opportunities.
All the creative disciplines have really taken a hit over the couple of decades, so professions like graphic design no longer are reliable sources of steady, well-paying work unless you have something exceptional to offer.
Make sure you get down to the cities whenever you can, and visit Mia, MMAA in St. Paul, the Nash Gallery at the U, and check out open studios at Art-a-Whirl and other events. You can also follow galleries like Douglas Flanders & Associates (full disclosure: I exhibit there periodically) on social and see what they're exhibiting and how they promote art to their clients and general audiences.
Hope this helps. Most of all, it's important to be part of a community of artists, however you define that.
Be prepared to work really hard at your chosen discipline, network with other artists and people who might be able to help you, and find ways to generate income through work outside your studio as well as self-employment. Once you get a good group of quality work samples (a cohesive body of work, if you're a studio artist, or a diverse portfolio that shows your technical and conceptual skills if you're designer or illustrator), you can start posting on venues like Instagram, Behance, your own website, and subscriber-based art communities such as Artrepreneur. I know Facebook is for "old people," but there are thousands of artists there from all over the world, sharing their work with each other and networking for exhibition and other opportunities.
All the creative disciplines have really taken a hit over the couple of decades, so professions like graphic design no longer are reliable sources of steady, well-paying work unless you have something exceptional to offer.
Make sure you get down to the cities whenever you can, and visit Mia, MMAA in St. Paul, the Nash Gallery at the U, and check out open studios at Art-a-Whirl and other events. You can also follow galleries like Douglas Flanders & Associates (full disclosure: I exhibit there periodically) on social and see what they're exhibiting and how they promote art to their clients and general audiences.
Hope this helps. Most of all, it's important to be part of a community of artists, however you define that.