Personalized insight
My Top 10 Tips for Art Fair Success
Artists all over the world rely on art fairs and festivals to promote their brand and sell their work. Many artists depend on these events for their livelihood, and a lot of them do very well.
According to the latest Art Basel & UBS Global Art Market insights, global art sales reached an estimated $57.5 billion in 2024, even after a 12% decline from the previous year, underscoring the continued strength of the market.
That’s 57.5 BILLION dollars!
Art fairs remain a crucial engine within this ecosystem, generating about 29% of dealers’ annual sales and serving as the top source of new buyers for nearly a third of dealers worldwide.
So when I tell you that art fairs are the best way I know to sell art, the numbers back me up.
These kinds of events can also help you build audience, create community, and command the attention of gallerists and curators.
So, I’ve created these Top 10 Tips for artists wanting to access the powerful reach of art fairs:
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Put the research first. Preparation is your best friend because when it comes to art fairs, you can’t plan too much.
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Follow instructions when you apply. Artists are known for breaking the rules, but the place to break them is in your work, not in your professional submissions.
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Get organized and create a system to make sure all the details are covered.
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Pay attention to your brand when you exhibit. All materials should be created with your brand in mind. It’s all about consistency and authenticity.
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Don’t overhang your booth! Art fairs are overwhelming enough. Let your work breathe on the wall.
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Art fairs are an excellent investment, but think long term. Don’t invest everything you have in one art fair, there are way too many variables outside of your control.
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Promote your booth before and during the fair. Be sure to let people know where to find you. Share your excitement with your audience!
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Be sure to follow up on your leads because I have found that the best sales often happen after the fair.
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Stay positive, even when things don’t appear to be going your way.
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Remember that art fairs are a powerful way to build relationships – both with an audience and with other artists.
You don’t have to be an exhibitor to get the benefits of attending a fair. It’s also important to see what other artists are doing, what galleries are showing, and finding work that inspires.
So even if you don’t have any plans to exhibit in an art fair yourself, I urge you to visit art fairs whenever you get the opportunity. You’ll always find something to learn, someone to meet, and something to see.
