Revenue Streams for Artists

5 Ways to Diversify Your Income and Make More Money as an Artist (Artwork Archive | February 21, 2024)

Five additional income sources for artists, besides your art. Plus, the pros and cons of each one.

Creating a sustainable career as an artist does not mean you need to rely solely on selling your artwork.

If you have been in the game for a while, you've probably already experienced the slow seasons, the flopped shows, or the rained-out art fairs. With the unpredictable nature of art sales (especially as an emerging artist), it can be difficult to count on any single income source. 

Here's some good news: there are so many different ways for artists to make a living today. Even better news? Most of these ideas require a bit of initial effort upfront but then allow for more passive income over time.

And let's not forget, you're an artist so your creativity is your biggest asset when it comes to thinking outside the box and growing your business.

As an artist, diversifying your income not only eases the pressure to constantly produce new artwork but also gives you the freedom to explore other creative projects, (ahem, while still having a steady income).

It's also a smart way to navigate the ups and downs of income from different sources without stressing out over whether one slow month is going to leave you unable to pay the bills.  

The key is to start looking at your artwork and talents as assets.