Requests to contribute work to art fairs

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Permalink Reply by Linnea Lahlum on February 23, 2010 at 1:22am

The situations I like even less are when you are asked on the application if you want to donate. Before you are even accepted. Leaving you to ownder if saying you will, or saying you won't, has an impact on your getting in.

If it's a charity I often feel obliged. If the donation is for a Kid's Art Tent where kids get to go choose their own art puchases, THEN I go nuts and give them lots. I want to get the new generation excited and on the road to purchasing artwork.

But no, you don't get to deduct retail value. Only cost of materials.

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Permalink Reply by Chris Hoyt on February 23, 2010 at 7:26am

The only time I'll donate anything is if they announce it over the PA system when somebody selects your work. And then the promoter announces who's work was selected and their location at the show.

"Mary Stoltzfus's veeblefetzer set was selected by Jenny Jones. Mary is in space D4 if you would like to see her collection." Believe it or not, Country Folk Art used to do just that.

If it's for a charity or something like that I'll donate willingly. But I will not donate if the promoter puts a minimum price on your "donation". ("Minimum $25 value item please".) NOPE!

And if I'm declined into the show because of that, well, maybe that's just as well.

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Permalink Reply by Geoff Coe on February 23, 2010 at 7:49am

Thanks, Linnea and Chris...the tax question has been resolved. Still looking for help with the other issue: do you contribute a best seller, a non-seller, or a slightly damaged piece?

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Permalink Reply by Chris Hoyt on February 23, 2010 at 8:03am

Heeeeyyyyy! Everything I have is a best seller!! wink wink.

No, actually I give a gift certificate up to a certain amount. That way the customer can select what they want. I want the customer to like what they got. Maybe they'll tell their friends about me.

Actually, when a certificate is redeemed, the customer always has a couple friends along. And many times they bought from me. So I would also make sales on that "freebie".

When I made house numbers, I made them up at the show, so donating number 3752 won't do much. That's when I came up with the gift certificate idea.

And it works. Just be sure the words "No monetary value" is on that certificate so they don't show up wanting cash.

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Permalink Reply by Geoff Coe on February 23, 2010 at 8:59am

@Chris: "Best-sellers... " heh, heh!
Yep, I use certificates, too...never thought of the "no monetary value" idea, though. Good point, I'll have to add that text.

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Permalink Reply by Dave Hinde on February 23, 2010 at 3:04pm

I will usually donate a picture when asked, but I put it in a cheaper frame than I usually sell. The shows that I donate to have either silent auctions that end just before the end of the show, or they have a live auction at the shows end, so gift certificates would not work. It always makes me feel good when they get more at the auction for my work than I would have sold it for in my booth!

One of the shows that has a live auction sends you out a thank you letter with the selling price listed. It mentions that the letter is for you to use for tax purposes, although it doesn't specifically state you can take the selling price off.

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Permalink Reply by Geoff Coe on February 23, 2010 at 3:15pm

Thanks, Dave.
How do you choose what work to donate? (To recap: A best-seller? A slow seller? A slightly damaged piece?)

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Permalink Reply by Diane Wright on February 23, 2010 at 4:49pm

When I have to donate a piece, I usually choose an older piece that I have shown a number of times but that has not sold. I wouldn't choose a piece that I thought would definitely sell. My pieces are one of a kind jewelry pieces so I want to hold on to those that I think will sell at the show.

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Permalink Reply by Lindsay Pless on February 23, 2010 at 5:38pm

I'm a jewelry maker also and usually make a new pair of pretty earrings to donate but I really like the idea of a gift certificate much better!
I also refuse to donate if they say the value has to be $25 or over.........geez, we pay fees to get into the show, then they want more? Nope!

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Permalink Reply by Dave Hinde on February 24, 2010 at 8:59am

Since I'm a photographer, it's easy to just run off another print. Lately I've been using double mats for all my matted work, but if I was making a print just for a donation, I might just use a single mat. I've also got several older cheap frames that I put the picture in to make it look better.

Geoff Coe said:

Thanks, Dave.
How do you choose what work to donate? (To recap: A best-seller? A slow seller? A slightly damaged piece?)

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Permalink Reply by Lila on February 24, 2010 at 10:43am

The donation should be a tax write off, so first ask if you can get a letter to that effect. I will always donate when asked, and depending upon the show and the circumstances (what cause is it going to), I will donate a piece of lesser value, something that would not be hard to replace. The retail price range, depending upon the circumstances is $15 to $40. nothing higher than that. I would not donate something that is damaged. Since all of my work is different I really have no best sellers. Work sells, or it doesn't. I will not donate a new piece, of course. I need to let it sit out for a several shows. I have donated older pieces that I am tired of looking at. That way you get the tax write-off and unload it at the same time.

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Permalink Reply by Diane Wright on February 24, 2010 at 11:30am

If you are donating to a group that is a 501C (charitable organization) and you get a letter, you should be able to write it off. Some shows that ask you to donate are not registered charitable organiztions.

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