Artists, how can I get my art hung in local businesses?

Ask. Pick a business, preferable on you have some sort of relationship with, that complements your art or which your art complements and ask.

Hi Judy. You must visit local businesses in your area and that would be the time to carry pictures of your art work and share what you'd like to do.

It all depends on the subject matter of your art.

Hospitals and healthcare facilities are putting up more and more calm and serene painting. Maybe ask your doctor or physician about who to contact.

You can put them up in 'cool' restaurants and coffee houses and hold a MEET THE ARTIST night there so people can meet you, get to know your work, here your inspirations, etc. Put prices on the paintings so people can buy.

Yoga studios and other exercise-oriented places may enjoy your art. Showing at art fairs and local craft fairs or schools in the area.

If you sit down and write all the businesses you go into on a weekly basis, I'm sure you'll find links to connect.

Good luck.

Paula Tepedino, IAYTherapist

I have never had any one ever ASK to display any of their work... though I have several open walls.

Perhaps a piece of the front of their building or something relating to their business to hang - then go from there.

I have had some of my work hung in local businesses before. The best piece of advice I can give you is, make sure where you hang your work has the clientele you wish to attract. For example, being a newborn photographer...a great place for me to hang my work might be a gynecologist's office. I'm not sure what types of artwork you create, but spend some time deciding who your ideal client is and learning where they hang out. From there, approach those businesses with your win/win opportunity. Sell them on "free decor for their office" in exchange for exposure. Good luck!

Perhaps start with businesses that you frequent? Bring in a sample of your art next time you visit them and see if they are interested!

We are in the fine art reproduction business.  The vast majority of clients I have spoken with regarding this model have shared that they make zero sales. One or two have had a piece sell, but for the most part nothing.  I speak from their point of view, because I don't hang my work in businesses for free.   Businesses that allow you to hang your work, aren't actively working to help you sell. They are enjoying that they have free art on their walls while they go about their day, and you have your inventory locked up in establishments that aren't helping your career. Their clients are also moving through their busy days, and may be too distracted to stop and smell the roses. 

From a marketing point of view, the ideal location is one that captures the attention of a buyer who is already thinking of improving their home or office.   Terry McDowell from Flooring Galaxy made an earlier comment that they have empty walls and have not been approached by artists.  I think that many artists feel like high traffic businesses offer the best potential for exposure.  Next time you are in a restaurant showing a featured artist, make note of the number of clients who actually walk up to a piece, much less look at the tags.   You don't need traffic alone to make sales, you need traffic that is looking to buy.  How many folks go to a restaurant, doctors office, office building, or coffee house to buy art?  And how many of those are willing to pay the price that your art is actually worth?  Most of that demographic is looking for Etsy prices.  That's not usually the level of price point one can build a career on. 

Crystal Prahl from Forever Me Photography mentioned that as a newborn photographer, the office of a GYN is ideal for her.  You can see how she is putting her work in front of her niche target in a place where they are focused on the very thing her work features. That's super-smart marketing. Also note that it's not likely she is selling her work off the walls, she is using their space as a billboard. The office get's nice images for the wall, and in  exchange, she generates a ton of leads for what is, from an artists perspective, commission work.

Do you know your niche as well as Crystal does?  If an artist says it's "anyone with money" I would invite that artists to spend some resources (time and money) learning about the importance of having a defined target for marketing. Knowing who your ideal buyer is, and how to reach them (like GYN offices for the prenatal crowd) will pay dividends faster. It's not about the money an artist spends to learn proper marketing, it's about the time and money they are losing while chasing weak sales from poor marketing and an eagerness to "just get out there".  It's okay to get out there, just do it wisely.

Successful career artists rarely show in businesses other than galleries or festivals, though it does happen in select situations. These artists know that they want to put their work in front of people who actually buy art, when they are ready to buy. Buyers don't go to the coffee house to buy art, they go there to buy coffee, and they go to galleries to buy art. Exposure is part of the path to success, but exposure doesn't pay the bills.  

-- Determine what demographics / psychographics are most likely to resonate with your work.
-- Find out how to best reach them with marketing messages: What social platforms are they on?
-- Where do they hang-out? Where do they shop - especially for things for the home or office?
-- Work with those places to establish consignment sales of your art.
-- Make connections with interior designers and art consultants. These individuals are important to getting your work in front of high-value buyers and into their buildings. 
-- Build relationships with Gallerists. Even if they don't hang your work, stay in touch. They can really help you grow your career. 
-- Build your email list!  This is where the real money is waiting for you. 
-- Consistently market to your email lists. Tell them stories about you, your art, where they can see new work, and point them to your personal website.  You do have a website for selling your art, right?
-- Measure your successes and your failures. Adjust your messages and your tactics based on what you learn from marketing books, mentors, courses, etc.
-- Keep at it, and above all, celebrate every sale, lead, contact, and opportunity while you grow in something that is your passion. 

Best of luck in your career!

I would contact some local libraries in the area and ask if you can display your artwork. Many libraries( at least in the past) use to loan out artwork just like books to businesses and other patrons.

I have also seen many restaurants hanging artwork for sale in their establishments, I'm not sure of the arrangement. As a courtesy in my office we have a local artist which we display. Occasionally someone will comment and ask if its for sale. We never have any tags hanging off the paintings.

Judy,

Great question!

I was almost a duel fine arts major myself and both my mother and grandmother were artists of noteworthy talent.

First you need to determine if your art is marketable to the commercial space and this is as easy as taking note and being honest with yourself.

Secondly, you need to focus on a specific market whether it be attorneys, doctors, food and beverage, etc.

Next you need to find a common thread in their market such as trade associations or charitable organizations. Then offer to display your are at something like a cancer benefit for a local doctor group and maybe even wrote off a small donation.

Remember the decision makers in the design space is usually not the owner or professional themselves, but are usually influenced by thier spouse or other family members; those are the persons you need to target.

Hope this helps

Check around an find a place that actually will be willing to talk to potential buyers and pass on your info then contact you and let you know of a person of interest . I do not hang my art to decorate others businesses . Some places want to charge a wall fee . That works as long as sales are being made to make it profitable . I recently spoke to one who wanted $100.00 per month for a small chunk of wall and he did not spend anytime letting me know if art sales where being generated or if the artists where just helping him pay his rent and decorate his coffee shop . Look and observe first, maybe talk to an artist you can trust that has sold at the location .