Alright guys

[andrewrichardgale]

You totally dont have to help me if you dont want to, but im thinking about a business i want to start, and I dont know what, maybe you can help me with that.

Lets see, my passion is painting, and all types of art so i want the business to be around art, like maybe having a place where all artist getting together and display there work but rent the space from me ... any ideas about any business i can start with art? Im not looking for amillion dollar idea, im looking for a idea that could make a living and let me be with my passion

[chrispalko]

There is business local to me, it is a giant building filled with different kinds of picture frames. And I'm sure they do well, because they've been there for a while. A business like this would be a good place to show off your art and even sell others' art on consignment for them while selling the picture frames as well.

You could go a bunch of different directions with this, but I figured I would throw that out there.

[just1guy]

Art Studio / Art Class
A place where people can come and take art lessons but also a section where the best work is left for review and possible purchase by others.

[chrispalko]

Yes! Art studio/class, I can't believe I didn't think of that. That would be good. You could even have art classes/camp for little kids. Have fun fingerpainting

[chanson]

How about contacting your local city and doing murals for them?(if thats your style) In our city and many others you always see objects in parks and on the sidewalks(like flower pots or lightposts) painted by artists hired by the city to make things look "happier"

[matt_15]

How about contacting businesses and trying to sell paintings that they can put on tyhe walls of their offices? Or what about doing art lessons?, like teaching people to draw.

[andrewrichardgale]

love the idea of that, anything else?

[matt_15]

(coming back to the art in offices idea)
I've just been looking around for you on google. Found this company, maybe you should analyse what they are doing right, and what there doing wrong. Maybe you could try and compete with them. http://www.art247.com/Corporate?kw=office%20art&fl=218668&ci=1210049971& network=s

[andrewrichardgale]

very cool, except I was thinking more like i want to be around the actual artist somehow, i like being around people... i wouldnt want a online business

[lappyhappy]

Why not tie a bunch of ideas together and make an art "destination?" Have a place where you give lessons, hold clinics (that you as well as other artists can teach), and also sell art and art services from that location (for instance, the ideas others have given, if businesses or the public offices want something done they can come to your place for a consultation.)

I'm picturing a main "headquarters" that is a gallery, but also provides the above services. Then, you can hold events where you fill the location with the art of only one artist for a weekend and hold a gallery of that persons works.

Lots of possibilities, I'd say try to tie a few together, but also keep in mind that each idea should also have a logical way to bring an income (or at least contribute to marketing the other income streams.)

[andrewrichardgale]

thats actually a really good idea, im just trying to think how much that would cost. location lets say 5grand a month..... a teacher, i could probably get my teacher from school to go on the weekends for free... and wow i dont know i really like this

[Aletheides]

thats actually a really good idea, im just trying to think how much that would cost. location lets say 5grand a month..... a teacher, i could probably get my teacher from school to go on the weekends for free... and wow i dont know i really like this

lol.........

[lappyhappy]

The teacher wouldn't have to work for free. The way a clinic typically works is the students each pay a certain fee, then the business takes some of the money and the teacher gets some of it. The more students per clinic, the better (more $ per hour.)

Be sure to take care of the teachers that work at your biz. It'll work out best for both of you (both financially and in karma.) Happy teachers will often recruit students (maybe even from the school if they already teach locally.)

[GuyBBY]

Start off freelancing on craigslist. Do anything from murals to painted welcome signs on a piece of slate. Then as you grow and make money, but more importantly BUILD A CLIENT LIST, you can use their testamonials at the very least to take off and form a business. At first, price your items/work 20% or so less than others, even offer to do a free sample, and then you can start up and maybe even take on another artist or two (friends or people from a local college, artist network, etc). From there you can see if it is working or not to take on larger projects.

Guy

[rogercbryan]

There is business local to me, it is a giant building filled with different kinds of picture frames. And I'm sure they do well, because they've been there for a while. A business like this would be a good place to show off your art and even sell others' art on consignment for them while selling the picture frames as well.

You could go a bunch of different directions with this, but I figured I would throw that out there.

I think they call this an art gallery.... hmmm

Here is an idea... go to your local high school, community college, and/or your local university... talk to the art professors and offer a service where students can bring their paintings to your 'gallery' and you will sell them on eBay for them... charge them 35% (margin 15-20% after eBay fees) and you'll be doing them a favor. You can use the word of mouth marketing from this to grow your sales to the point you may be able to expand and open a retail style gallery.

Students are hard up for money... most of their supplies are paid for by the school... and hell you can even offer the schools a monthly kick back... they should eat it up...

PS- I buy about 5-10 paintings a year... if you get anything good let me know :-)

One last thing... go into every business with the intent of making millions or dont go into it at all!