Every artist deserves to be recognized. Their talent should be honed when they start expressing interest in the field. But sadly, many artists are forced to give up their dreams because of economic challenges. Not every country or community makes artistry a sustainable career. As such, budding artists either keep their passion as a mere hobby or side-hustle.
In some cases, they abandon their artistic pursuits altogether. After all, art can be an expensive endeavor. While artists don’t need premium-quality supplies to start, they need to upgrade their inventory eventually if they want to expand their horizons. This is where many artists stop or take a break from their pursuits. It’s usually the time when they’re forced to choose between a well-paying job or a career that depends on chances.
To address this issue, art companies can take on a role. They can help provide resources for struggling artists and promote better welfare for artists, from fair pay to improved job opportunities. Their influence is greater than they realize, so these companies must not let the opportunity to help pass.
That said, here are the ways art companies can empower struggling artists:
1. Boost Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
A company’s CSR is a set of actions that will benefit its community. It can go from saving energy and conserving water, donating to NGOs, to helping curb climate change. But companies can also adopt unique methods to boost their CSR. In the case of an art company, they can support art organizations through charitable programs.
For example, they can sell products for a cause, in which the proceeds go straight to a beneficiary organization. To market those products more effectively, they can organize a fundraising event. This strong cause branding strategy will allow the company to gain marketing benefits while giving back to the community.
There are numerous art organizations to select from. Companies can choose more than one. Americans for the Arts, for example, strives to make art accessible to Americans of all backgrounds. They educate the public on how art can benefit communities socially, economically, and educationally.
If a company wants to focus on young artists instead, they can check out YoungArts Foundation. The organization selects around 170 artists aged 15 to 18 for their life-changing programs. The winners get cash prizes, an opportunity to work with esteemed mentors, and to showcase their works or talents in world-class institutions.
Supporting organizations like these helps companies raise awareness about artists’ challenges and limitations nationwide. In turn, they can empower struggling artists and aspiring ones. They’ll inspire them to pursue their passion because they can obtain support.
2. Support Local Artists
Art companies can enlist local artists to demonstrate how their products are best used. This allows local artists to promote themselves to a bigger audience and better platform.
Aside from that, supporting local artists celebrates originality and uniqueness. It can help consumers broaden their artistic tastes and to appreciate art outside the mainstream. Supporting local artists also promotes tourism, which, although restricted today, remains relevant in many people’s lives. For example, art collectors can reach out to international artists and purchase their work online.
3. Organize Art Events
Organizing art events is another way to put local artists under the spotlight. Companies can add a twist to make the event more memorable, like holding an art competition. The competition will motivate many unknown artists to put themselves out there. It could be their chance to become known in the industry.
An art event also promotes art itself. It doesn’t just benefit the artists and collectors but also an entire community that lives off art. Through events like galleries, contests, and others, artistic communities can show the impact of art on their lives and why art deserves the same recognition as STEM fields.
4. Use Social Media
Of course, no promotion will be effective today without social media. Even if a company is targeting only a small niche, that niche most likely uses social media. Social media can also help companies reach a bigger audience, even those outside their niche. This may allow them to discover a new demographic interested in their products and art itself.
Companies can hold social media contests where the art with the highest number of engagement wins. They can also share content, like blog posts or articles highlighting the challenges and triumphs artists worldwide experience.
Art companies should strive to spread the message that art is essential in our lives, and thus artists deserve better opportunities. After all, the world as we know it wouldn’t exist without art.
