Novel tip for encouraging art sales to corporate buyers, part 1
When a potential business client is sitting in a waiting room or corridor, the art already in place will be enhanced by displaying art work created by younger clients of that business establishment. Doctor and dentist offices usually have a steady stream of families with children. Suggest to your doctor the idea that art work created by his younger patients and displayed with your professional art work would “go well together”.
A certain type of business owner 
will respond positively to this idea. By displaying childrens’ art work beside the work of professional artists, it demonstrates to all visitors that the business owner values all his clients. The message given is “not only do I support artists and the arts, look at these terrific pictures made by some of my important clients.”
When I lived in Sedona Arizona, one of the most popular restaurants featured a wall mural and hanging artwork by professional artists. In addition, in the waiting area that restaurant always had an attractively arranged grouping of childrens’ art. Everyone passed by that artwork at least twice per visit. The childrens’ art was a conversation starter. There was always a followup reason to come back for more pizza. Periodically the childrens’ art work was auctioned during a publicized event in the restaurant with the proceeds going to benefit a local boys and girls organization. As I said, the restaurant was a very popular meeting place.
While there is some small risk hanging your art work in an eatery, do consider approaching restaurant managers and owners about hanging your art work with quality art work made by children. The idea of auctioning the childrens’ art for charity may appeal to the owners. At left is a virtual simulation of a waiting area using two pieces of art created by at-risk children as part of the Young Arts Arizona outreach program beside one of my art quilts.
Another way to express this marketing idea to a client who you think needs a bit of motivating is, “Most people are not regular art gallery or museum goers. Displaying quality art work makes art accessible to everyone. You will find that regular patrons recognize your interest in art. They may appreciate these values are reflected in your business environment. Because you visibly support the arts and artists, you may even spark a genuine interest in art in your visitors, especially children. When you hang wall art at the eye level of your younger clients, they will notice it is put there especially for them”.
Watch for part 2 to be posted on May 17, 2010 – Encouraging Art Purchasers
