Pricing Your Artwork
What every artist should know before putting a price tag on their work
The pricing of artwork is always a very delicate matter for most emerging artists. But when art is your business, then pricing should be one of the foremost considerations on your mind. Knowing what to charge for artwork could potentially mean the difference between the success or failure of your art business.
It is not an easy task get an overview of the common standard hourly rate for artists in Australia. Therefore, I have included the common rates for Australian Artists Fees & Wages from the publication "The Code of Practice" by the "National Association For the Visual Arts" in the right column below. The full booklet is probably the most comprehensive and updated publication in regards to an artist's business practice. I highly recommend it as the one book you should have when entering the arts industry on a professional basis.
Otherwise here’s what else you should know about pricing your artwork.
If you work on a commission, the norm is to price your artwork on an hourly-rate plus materials basis. However, remember that commission-based work is priced differently from gallery exhibits, which again are priced independently from licensing arrangements. Here are some points to consider when deciding what to charge for artwork offered to your clients:
Whether you wish to learn how to price your commissions, or wish to learn more about what to charge for artwork based on a licensing arrangement; The Code of Conduct available at the National Association for The Visual Arts (NAVA) is a remarkable FREE resource that every Australian art business owner should be familiar with. It contains plenty of great information on:
As an art business owner, you may also want to consider a paid membership at the NAVA. You could learn a lot about how to price your artwork, and other topics relevant to art business owners, from your peers at the Association. 
Martina Pook
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Australian Artist
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Reasons for Fair Pay
1. INSURANCE
As a professional freelance artist, you may need the following insurances: public liability, transit of artwork, damage to artwork, studio content, fire and theft to protect your studio and accident or loss of income insurance, because when you are sick, you aren't getting paid.
2. SUPERANNUATION
To freelance means taking care of your own superannuation, so the usual 9% rate of pay has to be factored into your pricing.
3. WORKERS COMPENSATIONS
As a freelancer you are not covered under the workers compensation act, and whatever happens to you is your own responsibility.
4. ARTS EDUCATION & TRAINING
Many artist have put time, effort and money into some form of art education and some will invest in further education along the way. Your skills have come from an investment you've made, while some of you were studying (full-time or part-time) or otherwise spending time to learn your craft, when you could have made an income within this time.
5. NO PAY WHEN SICK
The usual benefit of paid leave, paid sick days or long service is another reason for fair pay and needs to be incorporated into your budget.
6. HOLIDAYS
Like every working person, you as a self-employed artist have a right for a yearly holiday. This is as important to you as for your customer, as you have to remember how much a relaxed holiday can recharge an artists creativity. And a well-run business takes this into account.
7. LEGAL CONTRACTS
Contracts or legal advice cost money. Even if you purchase certain contracts inexpensively from the Arts Law Centre, you still paid for them.
8. MARKETING
You should spend to some extent on marketing. Always! And if it is only through public relations in form of presenting yourself to potential clients and whether successful or not, even networking takes valuable time.
9. PORTFOLIO
Being in business requires to present your artwork in a professional manner, whether in form of photographs, prints, copies or online presentation. To create a professional portfolio can be expensive.
10. STUDIO RENT
Whether you have a separate commercial studio or work from home, it is space you pay for.
11. ART MATERIALS
Unarguable artists do have a lot of expenses for art materials. Just think of what you have spent over the years for your trials and errors to experiment.
12. WEBSITE
Every artist needs a website these days and it cost money and time to keep it updated and moving and alive.
As a professional freelance artist, you may need the following insurances: public liability, transit of artwork, damage to artwork, studio content, fire and theft to protect your studio and accident or loss of income insurance, because when you are sick, you aren't getting paid.
2. SUPERANNUATION
To freelance means taking care of your own superannuation, so the usual 9% rate of pay has to be factored into your pricing.
3. WORKERS COMPENSATIONS
As a freelancer you are not covered under the workers compensation act, and whatever happens to you is your own responsibility.
4. ARTS EDUCATION & TRAINING
Many artist have put time, effort and money into some form of art education and some will invest in further education along the way. Your skills have come from an investment you've made, while some of you were studying (full-time or part-time) or otherwise spending time to learn your craft, when you could have made an income within this time.
5. NO PAY WHEN SICK
The usual benefit of paid leave, paid sick days or long service is another reason for fair pay and needs to be incorporated into your budget.
6. HOLIDAYS
Like every working person, you as a self-employed artist have a right for a yearly holiday. This is as important to you as for your customer, as you have to remember how much a relaxed holiday can recharge an artists creativity. And a well-run business takes this into account.
7. LEGAL CONTRACTS
Contracts or legal advice cost money. Even if you purchase certain contracts inexpensively from the Arts Law Centre, you still paid for them.
8. MARKETING
You should spend to some extent on marketing. Always! And if it is only through public relations in form of presenting yourself to potential clients and whether successful or not, even networking takes valuable time.
9. PORTFOLIO
Being in business requires to present your artwork in a professional manner, whether in form of photographs, prints, copies or online presentation. To create a professional portfolio can be expensive.
10. STUDIO RENT
Whether you have a separate commercial studio or work from home, it is space you pay for.
11. ART MATERIALS
Unarguable artists do have a lot of expenses for art materials. Just think of what you have spent over the years for your trials and errors to experiment.
12. WEBSITE
Every artist needs a website these days and it cost money and time to keep it updated and moving and alive.
Pricing Your Artwork
MARTINA POOK © 2016-2017 | 70 Armstrong Way, Highland Park, QLD 4211 | Pook Art School trading as Martina Pook | ABN 54905 254 156
