Art Articles & Reviews

Over the years, I have known quite a number of artists professing the 'dying of exposure' syndrome.

It usually starts with a sympathetic cause and the artists involvement, be it a charity art auction to raise funds to send sick kids to camp, a hospital fund raiser to more worldly causes that impact lives less fortunate than ours. All these may be justifiable and worthy causes, but it is the artist who ultimately has to make the choice to participate or not. Being lured by the promise of exposure can be tempting at first, but when the smoke clears evaluate the value you received in return for your art. Were you able to attend, give out your business cards, associate with the patrons or be published in the catalogue? Did anyone contact you after the event? If it was truly a gift on your behalf anything you receive back should be considered a bonus.

It's tax deductible.

Talk to your accountant or better yet place the figures into your tax program. First of all you require an income to benefit for a tax deduction. Now this may vary by Province and charity, but generally you receive 19% of the first $500 and 26% of any amount over $500 for the year. You will need a receipt from the charity for the amount the work is worth. This is the amount you normally sell your work for, not what it sold for at auction for instance. Sometimes its less expensive and more noticeable to give a cash donation.

How many gifts of art should a working artist give away?

If art is the way you make your income, be selective. You as a businessperson and artist will be judged and evaluated by whom you align yourself with. More isn't always better – find a few causes you feel strongly about and see if there is a fit. You as a drawing card for the charity need something back, even if it is just a thank you.

Paul Constable, Director of Artists in Canada