21 Lucrative Business Ideas for Artists

Artists are often stereotyped as the "starving artist", struggling to make ends meet by selling their art. However, the modern world offers plenty of opportunities for artists to monetize their talents and turn their passion into a thriving business.

Whether you‘re a painter, musician, writer or have any other artistic flair, integrating a business mindset with your creative gifts can lead to an abundantly rewarding career.

Here are 21 business ideas to help artists leverage their talents:

1. Sell Original Artwork

The most straightforward business for artists is to sell their original creations. This includes paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, mixed media art and more.

You can sell your artwork through:

• Art galleries
• Craft fairs and art festivals
• Online platforms like Etsy and ArtFinder
• Pop-up shops and temporary retail spaces

Building relationships with interior designers can also help sell your artwork to their clients. Offering limited edition series and high-quality prints of your most popular artwork can further boost income.

2. Accept Commissions

Commissions allow you to provide customized artworks for clients. This gives you a purpose when creating and enables clients to have one-of-a-kind pieces.

Ways to get commissions:

• Family portraits
• Pet portraits
• Illustrations for books
• Logo and branding design
• Decor paintings for homes/offices

Using platforms like Fiverr makes it easy for clients to connect with you. Keeping an online portfolio helps build credibility and attract clients.

3. Sell Digital Files of Artwork

Digital files allow customers quick and affordable access to your designs. Offering PNG, SVG and EPS files enables buyers to print on various surfaces. This includes apparel, phone cases, wall art and more through third-party printing platforms.

You can sell digital files via:

• Online marketplaces like CreativeMarket
• Your own ecommerce store
• Platforms like Gumroad for direct downloads

With the rise of printable items, selling digital files offers passive income for artists.

4. Teach Art Workshops

Share your creative skills with students through art lessons, both online and offline. You can think of starting art programs for kids during summer breaks or teach specialty workshops for adults.

Popular art workshop ideas include:

• Painting and drawing
• Pottery and ceramics
• Calligraphy and hand-lettering
• Macrame and fiber arts
• Jewelry making

Tie-ups with schools, activity centers or community halls provide the space while you handle marketing and operations.

5. License Your Artwork

Art licensing allows companies to use your art on their products in exchange for royalties. This frees artists from having to handle product manufacturing and sales.

Some popular licensing avenues include:

• Fabric and quilting companies
• Wall décor and home furnishing brands
• Stationery and craft supply manufacturers
• Clothing labels and accessory designers

With minimal effort, licensing offers a lucrative passive income stream plus increased visibility for your art.

6. Create YouTube Art Tutorials

YouTube offers artists a free platform with unlimited global reach. Creating video art lessons and tutorials lets you share your skills while gaining a following – and an income.

Popular YouTube art tutorial themes include:

• Painting techniques
• DIY room décor ideas
• Hand lettering and calligraphy
• Crafting tutorials
• Easy drawings for beginners

Once your channel grows, you can earn ad revenue, sponsorships, merchandise sales and more.

7. Offer Photography Services

Offering professional photography services lets you monetize your photography skills. While you can pursue full-time wedding or event photography, consider starting with:

• Product photography for Etsy sellers or local brands
• Portrait mini-sessions (great as holiday gifts)
• Pet photography ( tap the pet parent market)

You can later expand into family photoshoots, newborn sessions or high school senior portraits for steady income.

8. Sell Handmade Products

Tap into the thriving handmade marketplace by selling artsy products. Depending on your skills, you can choose from:

• Printable art
• Macrame hangings
• Hand-painted ceramics
• Jewelry made from polymer clay
• Calligraphy stationery sets
• Encaustic candles
• Knitted scarves and clothing

Online stores, local craft fairs and consignment at gift shops offer distribution channels for your creations. Consider taking custom orders as well.

9. Become an Influencer

Build a following on social media by consistently sharing your art and life as a creative entrepreneur. Once you gain traction, there are several income streams you can pursue:

• Affiliate marketing
• Sponsored content
• Advertising revenue from a YouTube channel
• Selling original art, prints, merchandise to your audience
• Membership revenue from offering tutorials, resources and community access.

Influencing gives artists huge opportunities for passive income and collaboration with brands.

10. Design Party Invitations and Graphics

Help people host gorgeous parties and events with visually appeal graphics and stationery. Services you can offer include:

• Party invitations
• Menu cards, table banners and drink coasters
• Guest books and favor tags
• Paper goods like napkins, cups and plates
• Decor signage and banners

Leverage platforms like Canva for quick graphic design. For best results, invest in design software like Adobe to create truly custom artwork.

11. Landscape Painting

Create stunning paintings of gorgeous destinations – without stepping outdoors! Offer custom landscape paintings derived from clients’ vacation photos or favorite nature spots and landmarks.

You can even create listings offering landscape painting services on sites like Etsy. Consider providing wall art of popular travel destinations or city skylines for hospitality businesses as well.

12. Rent Your Art Studio Space

Turn your art studio into a passive income stream by renting it out when not in use. Budding artists and creatives in your community are often looking for spaces to work on their projects.

List your studio on platforms like Peerspace and Splacer. You earn rental income while providing work areas for other artists.

13. Become a Children’s Book Illustrator

Bring children’s stories alive through magical illustrations. Given the popularity of illustrated kids’ books, professional illustrators are always in demand.

Start small by approaching indie book authors before working with major publishing houses. Having an online portfolio helps attract new clients and book deals.

14. Craft and Sell Zines

Zines – small, handmade magazines – enable artists to self-publish collections of their artwork, poetry, photography, ramblings or anything else.

Because zines are DIY by nature, they offer total creative freedom while building your personal brand. Selling zines also makes for easy passive income through online stores or pop-up shops.

15. Make Coloring Books for Adults

Adult coloring has emerged as a hugely popular category. Convert your existing art portfolio into coloring book pages or create new intricate designs suited for coloring therapy. Self-publish via KDP Print and promote across Amazon. Collaborating with mindfulness influencers can further boost sales.

16. Offer Graphic Design Services

Every business needs visual branding and graphic assets. Help local business, bloggers, authors and nonprofits by providing services like:

• Logo design
• Brand guides
• Social media graphics
• Website banners
• Advertisements and billboards
• Packaging design
• Presentations and one-pagers

Leverage freelancing sites or simply offer graphics services through your own website.

17. Teach Art Virtually

The rise of video calling makes teaching art online easier than ever. You can offer virtual lessons to individual students or conduct full online art camps and classes.

Advertise your classes via community boards, influencers or nightmare marketplaces. Schedule sessions, provide supply lists and share tutorials using platforms like Zoom.

Virtual teaching opens your offerings to students across geographies. Conduct classes from anywhere!

18. Design Fabric Prints

Unleash your creativity (and earn royalties) by designing prints and patterns for fabric and home décor companies. Digitally create repeat prints and motifs around trending color palettes and themes each season.

Approaching manufacturers at trade shows is a great way to getpattern designs licensed. You can also pitch ideas directly to fabric stores.

19. Create Custom Tattoo Designs

Commissioned tattoo designs allow you to collaborate one-on-one with clients to create meaningful body art. Hand-drawn designs tailored to customers’ vision earn well while enabling meaningful creative connections.

Approaching local tattoo parlors to offer your design services can provide a steady stream of clients. Be sure to create an online portfolio of your past tattoo designs as an easy reference for potential customers.

20. Offer Set Painting for Theatres

Local theatres and production houses often require large set pieces and backdrops for shows. Offer custom set painting services to bring scripts and concepts to life.

This allows you to tap into your skills on a grander scale for events and performances. Seasonal set painting around holidays also keeps you busy year-round.

21. Teach Music, Dance or Drama

Sharing your talents across artistic realms provides variety and fulfillment as an entrepreneur. If you have skills in music, dance or theater, consider offering:

• Private coaching
• Group classes for kids and adults
• Camps during school breaks
• Workshops focused on specialized skills like choreography or voice lessons.

Sustained interest through social media marketing helps attract long-term students.

The realm of business has abundant opportunities for the modern, creative entrepreneur. By identifying and marketing your artistic talents strategically, you can build a thriving career fueled by purpose and joy.

However, choosing a business direction is just the first step. Building an intentionally designed, profitable arts business involves some key strategies.

Cultivate Multiple Revenue Streams

Relying on a single income source – say, just selling paintings – leaves you vulnerable to fluctuations. By offering diversified products and services, you create stability through varied revenue buckets.

For instance, an artist can sell original art, prints, digital files as well as teach workshops and license designs. One avenue may have seasonal ups and downs which get balanced by alternate earnings.

Invest Time in Accounting From the Start

Many artists dislike administrative work, preferring to focus purely on creation. However, ignoring accounting early on compounds headaches later when filing taxes.

Be diligent about financial records, invoices and receipts so you can reap tax benefits as a small business owner. Streamline bookkeeping by using accounting tools .

Balance Creativity with Business Vision

It’s tempting to get engrossed in the day-to-day creative process while neglecting the big picture. Regularly revisit your business plan to tweak strategies as needed. Track metrics like website visits, sales and follower growth to pinpoint what’s working. Maintain perspective by aligning with your larger artistic purpose and revenue goals.

Embrace Some Smart Risk-Taking

Playing it safe often restricts growth and impact.artists should balance prudence with some smart experimentation. Whether it’s exploring a new medium, investing in digital assets to increase reach or collaborating with unconventional partners, calculated risks help expand creative horizons.

Continuously Improve Your Skills

Complacency kills creativity. Step out of your comfort zone by regularly learning new mediums, techniques and technology. Take workshops. Explore artistic collaborations. Immerse in fresh cultural experiences for inspiration. Upskilling expands the breadth of your artistic capabilities, allowing you to offer diverse creations.

By integrating business and art, you leverage skills honed over years with a blossoming entrepreneur’s mindset. Let passion fuel purpose and allow your talents to uplift others – all while earning a great living.

Go ahead and paint the life you desire!