how i made $43k at my first solo exhibition, no gallery, at 21 years old, with 6k followers

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares their experience of hosting their first art exhibition in 2022, detailing the challenges and rewards of preparing the event. They cover the financial aspects, including ticket sales, merchandise, and art sales, ultimately making a profit after significant expenses. The exhibition was well-attended, partly due to Perth's small cultural scene, which made the event stand out. The speaker reflects on the success of the show, noting plans for a second exhibition in 2025. This video provides insights into the process of hosting an art event, from planning to execution, offering useful tips for aspiring artists.

Takeaways

• 😀 The artist organized their first solo exhibition in 2022, marking a significant milestone in their career.
• 😀 Ticket sales for the opening night were charged at $20, covering an event with food, drinks, and an exciting atmosphere.
• 😀 The artist sold 300 tickets in total, 150 online and 150 at the door, contributing to the event's success.
• 😀 The exhibition was held in Perth, a smaller city, where the artist observed a high turnout due to the lack of other major cultural events.
• 😀 The artist's work, including paintings, prints, and merchandise, contributed to total sales of $99,000 from their merchandise and ticket sales combined.
• 😀 An additional $3,000 was made from online ticket sales, resulting in a total of $43,000 in revenue after expenses.
• 😀 Despite spending $82,000 on preparations, the exhibition turned a profit, demonstrating the financial success of the event.
• 😀 The artist emphasized the importance of creating an engaging event in a small city, where people are more likely to attend unique, exciting cultural activities.
• 😀 The artist plans to host another exhibition at the end of 2025, with preparations already underway.
• 😀 The artist shared their journey to inspire and educate others, offering valuable insights for those considering their own exhibitions.
• 😀 The video encourages viewers to subscribe, share, and reflect on how to display and promote artwork effectively.

Q & A

What was the primary motivation behind the artist’s first exhibition?

The artist’s primary motivation was not to make a sale, but to share their artwork with others, as many people had expressed admiration for their work. The artist also wanted to create a fun and engaging experience, inspired by the success of a friend’s solo exhibition.

Why did the artist choose not to work with a gallery for their exhibition?

The artist felt that local galleries in Perth did not align with their vision, especially due to the high commission rates (50%) and the lack of freedom in terms of pricing and exhibition style. The artist wanted to create an immersive experience with music, food, and other interactive elements that galleries often don’t allow.

How did the artist fund the exhibition?

The artist received a grant of $3,800 from the Department of Local Government, Sport, and Culture. They also worked part-time as a waitress at a strip club, saving up $4,000 over several months. The exhibition cost a total of $8,000.

What were the total earnings from the exhibition and ticket sales?

The artist earned a total of $43,000 from a combination of ticket sales, door sales, and merchandise like t-shirts, mugs, and prints. They sold approximately 150 tickets online and another 150 door tickets.

What were the challenges faced by the artist when organizing the exhibition?

The main challenge was managing the budget, especially since the artist had to spend almost all their savings and had to organize everything without much upfront funding. Additionally, balancing the costs of venue hire, food, beverages, and other aspects of the exhibition added to the complexity.

How did the artist manage to create excitement for the exhibition despite being in a small city?

Perth is a small city with limited events and art exhibitions, so the artist took advantage of the lack of other exciting activities by offering something unique. The exhibition's novelty and the engaging nature of the event generated excitement and drew people in.

What was the ticketing strategy for the exhibition, and why was it chosen?

The artist charged $20 for the opening night of the exhibition, as it was more of an event with food, drinks, and entertainment. The idea was to make it feel like a special event, similar to how people pay for other forms of entertainment like movies or live music. The exhibition remained free to visit during the following days.

What type of merchandise did the artist sell during the exhibition?

The artist sold merchandise such as t-shirts, mugs, and prints featuring their artwork. These products helped to increase revenue alongside ticket and painting sales.

What were some of the unexpected costs associated with the exhibition?

Unexpected costs included expenses for venue hire, printing, framing, catering, and marketing. Despite these costs, the exhibition was financially successful, and the artist learned a lot about managing the financial side of such an event.

What are the artist's plans for future exhibitions?

The artist plans to host another exhibition at the end of 2025, feeling more prepared and excited after learning from the first experience. They aim to take things to the next level by improving the quality of the event and artwork.