How Much Does It Cost To Start An Art Business? (In 2024)
Looking to start an art business?
But curious about:
- how much it costs to start an art business?
- what are the typical art business startup costs?
- or the actual cost of starting art businesses?
Well, we have the data to prove it, supported by real art businesses and how much they actually cost to start.
Let's go over it.
What is the average cost of starting an art business?
Based on our data reported by actual art business founders, the average cost of starting an art business is between $200 and $150,000.
Additionally, our data shows that the the median startup costs for an art business are around $2K.
Remember, though, not all art businesses are the same - and neither are people's budgets. It's important to distinguish between different levels or types of art businesses
Real World Examples: How much does it cost to start an art business?
We asked real art business founders and business owners how much it actually cost to get started?
Here is what they said:
Sarah Miller
Founder of Sarah Paints Pets ($3.5K/month)
"I didn’t have to spend much on supplies to get started. Paint colors, brushes, paper, and packaging supplies are all it takes to bring a pet portrait from start to finish."
Sarah Miller is the founder of sarahpaintspets, a custom watercolor pet portrait business that started in November 2016 that creates personalized artwork for pet owners across the United States and Canada.
Ursula Barton
Founder of URSULA BARTON ($3K/month)
"I quickly became one of the top sellers at some of these shops, and my consignment checks started becoming bigger than my paychecks. This was a pivotal moment where I had just lost my seasonal catering job and qualified for 6 months of unemployment, so I decided to live off of the $800/month in unemployment and reinvest all of my consignment checks back into my new business so I could fully dedicate myself and see how far I could take it."
Ursula Barton is the founder of two small businesses: Ursula Barton Art and Jailbreak, a retail shop in Portland.
Sarah Hickey
Founder of Innerglow Art ($4.3K/month)
"The major costs upfront were art supplies and my time - the time is very valuable."
Sarah is the founder of Innerglow Art, an art business that started 3 years ago and specializes in custom abstract paintings.
Adam Jesionkiewicz
Founder of Astrography ($90K/month)
"Because our business is printing, we decided that we would have control of the whole process. Adam from his savings bought the first printer for $10K and put it in the living room of his house (so we are not an example of a "garage" startup :)".*
Artur Kurasinski is the co-founder of Astrography, a fine arts printing business that specializes in space-related artworks.
Zoltán Szilágyi
Founder of Avatoon ($4.7K/month)
"We had to gather money to execute our idea so for the next few months we kept our expenses at a minimum, and survived by eating only Pufulet, (a really cheap “traditional” Romanian snack containing 1% corn, 99% air, and 0% nutrients), and drinking rainwater. We did a lot of research in this field and did our best to add content to our site—so it has some meat to it, not only bare-bones, with just the option to order something."
Zoltán is a co-founder of Avatoon.net, a business that sells custom hand-drawn avatars created by professional illustrators.
Justin Erickson
Founder of Justin Erickson Art ($876/month)
"It takes time, and there's definitely a lot of upfront costs. In my case, it was building up an inventory, investing in equipment, purchasing my adobe creative cloud subscription, event admission fees, exhibitor fees, merchant licensing, liability insurance, etc. It was a little overwhelming."
Justin Erickson is the founder of Justin Erickson Art, an independent artist business specializing in traditional artwork, particularly butterflies, moths, and birds.
Scott Wood
Founder of Mapply ($15K/month)
"Because of the low overheads, we probably spent less than £300 ($500~) on everything to get going, including some external hard drives, stationary, Shopify set up, etc."
Scott Wood is the co-founder of Mapply, a map print business that has grown significantly since its inception, now selling map art prints of the world’s best places, primarily focused on city maps.
Jack Gao
Founder of Marblebee Ltd ($10K/month)
"I borrowed some money from my parents to co-found our factory, 'New Home Stone.' We were profitable from day one of operation, allowing me to repay the loan three years later."
Jack Gao is the founder of MarbleBee, a natural stone carving business that has become a leading supplier in the industry over the past two decades.
Nancy Donaldson
Founder of Art Lovers Australia ($160K/month)
"Financially we used everything we had to get things off the ground and survive the first few years. We used savings and a redraw on our home loan to fund set up and we continued to work our other jobs."
Nancy and Jarrod are the founders of Art Lovers Australia, an online art gallery founded in 2016 that showcases the work of nearly 1000 Australian artists and averages $160K in monthly sales.
Çağrı Ayten
Founder of Hoagard.com ($415K/month)
"Hoagard was established without investment. So it was not a gold mine between the years of 2014 and 2016 the situation was relapsing during these years. By making a huge leap in 2016, it has become a brand that reaches an average annual turnover of 4.5 - 5.5 million Euros."
Ali Bedrettin Boz and Cagri Ayten are the founders of Hoagard, a metal wall decor business that started in 2014 and reached an average annual turnover of 4.5 - 5.5 million Euros by 2016.
Enjoyed reading these real world examples?
Our platform is full of case studies of successful art businesses that you can learn from.
Starting an art business - what you should know:
Starting an art business can be both a creative and financial endeavor, and understanding the nuances can help manage costs effectively.
Initial Investment Costs
The initial costs can vary widely depending on your specific needs and location. Basic supplies such as canvases, brushes, paints, and other materials can range anywhere from $500 to $1,500. If you opt for high-quality or specialty materials, this may increase to $2,000 or more. Additionally, you'll need to consider costs for a workspace if you don't already have one; renting a modest studio can cost between $300 to $1,200 per month depending on the city. If you plan to work from home, setting up a basic home studio may only cost a few hundred dollars.
Marketing and Networking Expenses
Effective marketing is essential for an art business. A basic website can cost around $100 per year for domain and hosting, but investing in a professionally designed website can run from $500 to $5,000. Social media advertising can be cost-effective, with a budget of $200 to $500 per month providing a decent reach. Attending art fairs or local events can cost anywhere from $50 to $300 per event, but these can be invaluable for networking and gaining exposure.
Shipping and Packaging Costs
Shipping and packaging are often overlooked but can add up quickly. High-quality packaging materials to ensure your artwork is shipped safely can cost around $2 to $10 per package. For bulky or oversized items, shipping costs can range from $20 to $200 or more depending on the destination. Offering free shipping can attract buyers, but you'll need to absorb this cost into your pricing strategy.
Legal and Administrative Fees
Don't forget the legal and administrative side of your business. Registering your business can cost anywhere between $50 to $400 depending on your state’s requirements. You should also consider professional fees for legal advice, which might cost around $200 to $500 for initial consultations. Accounting software subscriptions can cost between $10 to $40 per month, which is crucial for keeping your financials in order.
Ongoing Education and Skill Development
Investing in your skills can pay off in the long run. Workshops, online courses, and materials for continuing education can range from $100 to $1,000 or more depending on the instructor and depth of the course. This investment can significantly enhance the quality of your work, making it more marketable and allowing you to command higher prices.
Understanding these cost factors can help you plan and budget more effectively, ensuring your art business thrives.
Potential Costs of Starting an Art Business
Starting an art business involves various costs, including materials, tools, labor, marketing, and operational expenses. Below is a detailed table outlining potential costs.
| Expense Category | Specific Item | Estimated Cost Range | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Materials and Supplies | Canvas | $10 - $50 per canvas | Depending on size and quality |
| Paints (Acrylic/Oil/Watercolor) | $5 - $100 per tube/bottle | Quality and type of paint can vary | |
| Brushes | $2 - $50 per brush | Various sizes and quality | |
| Easels | $50 - $200 | Wooden or metal | |
| Palette | $5 - $30 | Wood, glass, or plastic | |
| Tools and Equipment | Computer | $500 - $2000 | For digital art or business management |
| Graphics Tablet | $80 - $400 | For digital artists | |
| Software (Adobe Creative Cloud) | $10 - $50 per month | Subscriptions for various software | |
| Camera and Lighting Setup | $200 - $1000 | For photographing artwork | |
| Operational Expenses | Legal Fees | $500 - $2000 | Business registration and contracts |
| Insurance | $300 - $600 per year | Protecting business assets | |
| Web Hosting | $3 - $25 per month | Depending on the provider and plan | |
| Domain Name | $10 - $20 per year | For securing a website URL | |
| Studio Space Rent | $500 - $2000 per month | Depending on location and size | |
| Marketing and Sales | Website Development | $100 - $5000 | Range depending on complexity and design |
| Online Advertising | $50 - $500 per month | Google Ads, Facebook Ads, etc. | |
| Prints and Copies | $1 - $100 per piece | Cost varies with size and quality | |
| Packaging Materials | $1 - $5 per package | Boxes, bubble wraps, etc. | |
| Shipping | $5 - $50 per shipment | Depending on destination and size | |
| Art Fair Fees | $50 - $500 per event | Registration and participation fees | |
| Labor Costs | Employee/Assistant Salaries | $15 - $50 per hour | Depending on experience and location |
This table provides a comprehensive breakdown of potential costs involved in starting an art business, providing artists with a solid foundational understanding of the financial investments required.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
