6 Art Show Fundraiser Ideas (& How to Plan, Organize)

The art world is competitive and saturated with artists vying for the same opportunities. If you want your passion to be a career, you need to stand out from the crowd. An art show fundraiser is a great way to do just that.

It’s an opportunity for you and your fellow artists to showcase yourselves in front of a new audience of potential patrons. An art show fundraiser brings together people interested in buying original artwork while also giving you ways to monetize your creations and support your future endeavors as an artist.

The best part is that it’s not even that difficult to do. All you need is some strategic planning, time, and energy — all factors that will pay off in the long run.

What is an Art Show Fundraiser?

An art show fundraiser, also sometimes known as a benefit art auction, is a type of event that combines several fundraising techniques to support a cause. It might include a silent auction, live auction, raffle, and/or an art exhibition.

People are invited to attend and preview the items on display or hear about them online, then bid on them during the event. Proceeds go to the cause. Depending on which type of art show fundraiser you choose, you can support charities, non-profits, schools, and other organizations in various ways.

Some art show fundraising events are more like art exhibitions, where the goal is to build buzz for artists, and others are more like auctions, where the goal is to get the highest bid for each item quickly.

6 Art Show Fundraiser Ideas You Can Try:

1. Have a silent auction of donated artworks

This fundraiser would involve obtaining donated artworks from local artists, galleries, or collectors. These donated pieces would then be auctioned off at a silent auction event.

Funds raised would go towards the cause or organization of your choice. It is also a great way to support the arts while raising funds for a good cause. It would be a fun and unique event that would appeal to art lovers and those who support the cause.

2. Have a raffle of art-related prizes

This could be a really fun and interactive way to raise funds! Have a raffle of art-related prizes, such as a gift certificate to an art supply store, a canvas and paint set, or even a commissioned piece of artwork. This would definitely be a draw for art lovers and could raise a good amount of money for your cause.

Another option would be to have an auction of art-related items, such as paintings, sculptures, or even photographs. You could also have a silent auction where guests have the chance to purchase items from a catalog at their own price, which is a great way to get even the wealthiest guests to contribute.

One of the easiest ways to get guests involved in your fundraising event is to set up a photo booth where guests can take photos and order prints. Not only is this a fun activity, but you can also sell the prints after the event to generate a little extra cash.

3. Offer tours of the show for a fee

Guided tours of the show could be offered for a fee, with the proceeds going to charity. This would give people a behind-the-scenes look at the show, and they would also get to meet some of the cast and crew.

These tours could be offered at convention appearances, at the show’s studios, or at both locations. Fans could also be allowed to be an extra in a production. Many shows offer background actors the chance to be on set and meet the main cast members.

This would give fans the experience of being on set and meeting the cast. Some shows may even offer a chance to be in a scene with the main character, giving these fans the once-in-a-lifetime experience of being onscreen with their favorite actor.

4. Have a bake sale with art-themed baked goods

Bake some art-themed cookies, cakes, or other treats and sell them at a bake sale! You could even get creative with the decorations and make them into works of art themselves.

This is a great way to raise money for your art club or school art program, and everyone gets to enjoy some delicious sweets!

While you’re baking, challenge each other to come up with funny rhymes and write them on the cookies. The last batch can be auctioned off to the highest bidder, and the proceeds can be donated to your cause. This is a great way to get people involved and have some fun while doing it!

5. Have an art supply swap, where attendees can trade in unwanted art supplies for store credit

Simply have people bring in any unwanted or unused art supplies they have, and in exchange, they’ll receive store credit for purchasing new supplies. This could be a great way to get people involved in your cause and also help them declutter their homes (or studios)!

Many creative things can be done with art supplies, and many people may not even realize how valuable or useful some of these items are.

You could hold an event where people can bring in any art supplies and have volunteers on hand who can tell them what each item is used for and how it can be repurposed. You could also have a bin at your organization where people can drop off art supplies that they no longer need and then let people know that those items will be available at the event.

6. Have a photo booth set up at the show and sell prints of the photos taken

Set up a photo booth at the show and sell prints of the photos taken. All of the proceeds can go towards the show. This will be a great way to get people involved and raise some extra money.

You can also sell items from the booth to make some extra cash. For example, you can sell t-shirts with the show’s name and logo. People would be more than happy to purchase one as a keepsake if they enjoyed the event.

This is a great way to make money for the art show and something cool for those who attended to take home.

Now that you know how to fundraise, let’s understand how you can organize and plan an art show fundraiser:

Plan Your Art Show Fundraiser

Creating a solid plan for your art show fundraiser is essential to its success. You’ll want first to determine the goal of your event, including the number of people you want to reach and the amount of money you want to raise.

This will help you select the type of show you want to organize and determine the venue, date, and other elements of your fundraiser. Once you’ve settled on the type of show you’d like to host, you’ll want to think about how you will promote the event. Depending on the type of show you choose, you may want to put together a press release, send out invitations, or create a Facebook event.

You’ll also want to provide your guests with information about the cause your art show fundraiser is supporting and any contact information necessary for attendees to purchase.

Choose your venue and date

Once you’ve settled on the type of show you’d like to host, you’ll want to think about the venue and date. If you’re hosting a gallery-style exhibition, you’ll probably want to go with a higher-end space and avoid the holidays.

However, if you’re hosting an auction, a festive date like Thanksgiving is ideal. In terms of venue, you’ll want to make sure you find a place that is accessible, affordable and has the capacity for the number of guests you’re hoping to reach. While you’re at it, you should also consider the venue’s aesthetics.

You want the venue to match the tone of your art show fundraiser while remaining welcoming and convenient for guests.

Promote Your Art Show Fundraiser

A successful art show fundraiser involves engagement and attracting new, interested patrons. You can start by reaching out to local art critics, curators, or any person in the industry who may be interested in attending your art show fundraiser.

They can give you feedback and insight on your work and help you find a network of people to support your efforts. While you’re reaching out to influencers, you should also consider creating a mailing list or social media page to keep people engaged with your art show fundraiser as it approaches.

Bring people into the conversation and ask what pieces they would like to see at the show. You can also create a website to showcase your artwork and offer a way for people to sign up to be notified when your event is approaching.

Make sure to follow the best practices of social media to maximize your efforts, and always be sure to post updates on the progress of your event.

Some promotion strategies:

First, you’ll want to inform your guests about the event through your mailing list and social media. You can also send out invitations that include a brief event summary and provide all the information guests need to attend.

Once the event has started, you’ll want to ensure you engage with your guests, answer questions, and introduce each piece of art on display. You should also consider hosting a pre-show event where you can invite guests to come, mingle, and look at all of your items.

This is a great way to get people excited about your art show fundraiser and make them feel welcome before the main event.

Sell your art

If you’re thinking to yourself, “I’ll sell out!”, that may not be the case. In fact, you may find that you end up with leftover art and not enough interested buyers.

To avoid this happening, you’ll want to price your work accordingly, considering the cost of materials, the time it took you to create the work, and what other artists in your industry are charging.

Once you’ve settled on a pricing structure, advertise the prices of your art at the art show so that potential patrons know exactly how much their purchases cost. You can also offer a variety of payment options that are flexible and convenient for people, so they can spend as much or as little as they’d like.

Know your audience

Before you start planning your art show fundraiser, you’ll want to consider your target audience. This will help you curate the displayed items and decide how to price them. If you’re raising money for a cause, you’ll want to consider the types of people who are likely to donate.

You can do this by engaging in conversation with your audience and asking what they like about your event, what they think should be featured, and what types of items they’d like to see.

For example, if you’re hosting an art show fundraiser for an animal shelter, you may want to consider displaying animal-themed art and avoid items that may not be appropriate. You can also look at what items are currently for sale at other fundraisers and decide if you want to feature similar items.

Final Thoughts

An art show is a fun and creative way to raise money for your organization and connect with new members. It can also be a great way to give back to the community, especially if you choose an art show theme that resonates with a certain group or cause.

The hardest part is getting started and finding the right people to help. Once you have a plan and a team in place, you can find that organizing an art show fundraiser is a fun, easy, and rewarding experience for everyone involved.