The global art market was valued at $520.05 billion in 2023 and it is estimated to reach a whopping $889.86 billion by 2032. These numbers are a great indicator for anyone that wants to turn their unique art business idea into a successful business. Of course, if you are an artist already, this is a nice way to both express your artistic side and earn a living. Unfortunately, just being a good artist is not enough to make it as a business owner, so prepare yourself to become business savvy. Take the time to review your options, conduct a market research and you can determine the best way to start a business based on your artistic area of expertise.
Best 15 art business ideas
Here are some creative and profitable art business ideas that you can start right away:
Sell laser-engraved canvas paintings
Laser-engraved canvas art is an increasingly popular product that can be a lucrative business opportunity. Using a laser engraving machine streamlines the production process, minimizing material waste and cost. The machine engraves precise designs onto canvas quickly and efficiently. This results in sleek, modern artwork far superior to traditional hand-painted canvas. With efficient production and visually striking end products that customers love, a business selling personalized laser-engraved canvas could do very well. The combination of technology and art crafting makes for an innovative business model with strong demand and profit potential.
How much you can make: $30-80k profit potential
How much does it cost to start: $5-10k for equipment
How long does it take to build: 6-12 months to drive sales
Custom branded items for corporates
Creating customized branded merchandise is an excellent business opportunity serving corporate clients. Companies routinely order items like printed t-shirts, mugs, pens, bags, and tumblers in bulk to build their brand. As a crafter of custom-branded goods, you can develop lasting partnerships with corporate customers who order these items regularly in large quantities. Meeting the ongoing branding needs of business clients by providing personalized shirts, promo products, and more can lead to steady, recurring revenue.
How much you can make: $100k+ profit potential
How much does it cost to start: $10-20k for equipment
How long does it take to build: 6-11 months to gain clients
Screen printing business
A screen printing business allows for artistic expression while being commercially viable. There is consistent demand for screen-printed goods like t-shirts, posters, and signage across industries from sports to fashion. The materials needed for screen printing like screens, ink, and squeegees have low costs, leading to good profit margins. The equipment is also affordable, with basic starter kits available for under $500. Modern digital exposure units utilize laser engraving for precise image developing on screens.
How much you can make: $100k+ profit potential
How much does it cost to start: $10-20k for equipment
How long does it take to build: 6-10 months to establish
Restore antique furniture or decor items
Reviving old furniture and decor is a creative endeavor for those who appreciate history and craftsmanship. Antique restorers carefully work to repair, reupholster, refinish, and restore vintage pieces to their original glory. This may involve finding replacement parts, disassembling items to reglue joints or reinforce structures, stripping old paint and stain, applying new finishes, reweaving cane or rush seats, and more. Restorers often work closely with antique sellers or collectors to source authentic materials and retain the antique’s uniqueness. Breathing new life into well-loved antiques takes patience, skill, and respect for the past while making these treasures ready to be cherished for years to come.
How much you can make: $30-80k profit potential
How much does it cost to start: Under $1k startup costs
How long does it take to build: 6-12 months
Design calligraphy
Calligraphers can start their own business by selling custom fonts, designs, and lettering for cards, invitations, logos, and more. To launch a calligraphy company, first create examples of your unique lettering styles and make them into digital fonts or image files. Build a website to display your designs, prices, and ordering process. Offer services like addressing envelopes, certificates, and awards. Market to potential clients like couples planning weddings, small businesses wanting logos or branding, and nonprofits hosting galas. A calligraphy business allows you to turn your artistic talent into a flexible work-from-home career.
How much you can make: $30-60k profit potential
How much does it cost to start: Minimal startup costs
How long does it take to build: 6-11 months to gain clients
Teach art classes
Those with talent in art forms like watercolor, acrylic, oil, texture or pastel painting can use their skills to instruct others. If you desire to launch your own art instruction business, you could rent a studio area, or partner with schools, community hubs and charitable groups. Teaching art allows you to share your artistic abilities and guide students in developing their own talents. Classes can cover painting, drawing, sculpting, photography and more. An art teacher encourages creativity, self-expression and appreciation for different forms of art in their students. Consider hosting workshops, camps or regular classes to spread your passion for art with your local community.
How much you can make: $30-60k profit potential
How much does it cost to start: Under $1k startup costs
How long does it take to build: 6-12 months to fill classes
Pottery class
If you enjoy sculpting clay into pottery, you could turn your hobby into a small business. Rent studio space and purchase necessary equipment like pottery wheels and kilns to open your own pottery studio. Offer group or private lessons in hand-building techniques, throwing pots on the wheel, glazing, and firing pieces in your kilns. Teach both children and adults the creativity and satisfaction of crafting clay into functional or decorative ceramics. Share your artistic talent while earning income. With hard work and dedication, your passion for pottery can become a rewarding entrepreneurial endeavor.
How much you can make: $20-50k profit potential
How much does it cost to start: $2-5k for kiln & supplies
How long does it take to build: 6-12 months to fill classes
Sell custom gift baskets
Offering custom gift baskets is a creative business idea for crafters and artists. You can fill baskets with your special handmade items like jewelry, candles, baked goods, bath products, cards, artwork, and more. Customers love getting unique gifts, so promote the fact that each basket contains one-of-a-kind pieces. Sourcing affordable baskets, tissue paper, cellophane and ribbons allows you to create lovely presentations without spending too much. Consider approaching local cafes, florists, and specialty shops to collaborate. For example, they might supply food items while you provide the container and artwork. Crafting personalized gift baskets enables selling your wares in an appealing way.
How much you can make: $20-50k profit potential
How much does it cost to start: Under $1k for supplies
How long does it take to build: 3-6 months to optimize
Designing greeting cards
Designing greeting cards is an enjoyable craft that can also make a nice little business. Supplies like paper, markers, and glue are affordable. You can be creative with your drawings and writing. Try making cards that will make the receiver smile or laugh. If your cards connect with people’s feelings, they will want to buy more. Greeting cards are simple gifts that let us express ourselves while brightening someone’s day. Crafting and selling them can be a rewarding hobby or side business.
How much you can make: $20-50k profit potential
How much does it cost to start: Under $1k startup costs
How long does it take to build: 6-12 months to establish
Tattoo artist
As tattoos keep gaining popularity, more people want high-quality, artistic tattoos they’ll have for life. This creates opportunities for skilled tattoo artists to start their own art business. Tattooing demands artistic talent and steady hands to create meaningful designs. By opening your own tattoo shop, you can apply your artistic talents while making a living. Run a clean, professional shop that makes customers feel comfortable to get the tattoos they want. If you have the art skills and passion for tattooing, start your own tattoo art business doing meaningful work for clientele who will display your art for years.
How much you can make: $30-100k profit potential
How much does it cost to start: $5-10k for equipment
How long does it take to build: 1-2 years to build reputation
Photographer
Photography is an art form that is valued now more than ever in our image-focused world. If you want to start a photography business, you have many possibilities. You could sell scenic or travel photos to magazines and tourism agencies. Or you could photograph important events for clients, like weddings, graduations, birthdays. Or product photography could be an option, taking pictures of merchandise for companies to use on websites and flyers. A photography business allows for creative freedom and appealing opportunities. With many options, from nature to products, events to real estate, this flexible business can suit various types of artists.
How much you can make: $40-250k profit potential
How much does it cost to start: $5-20k for equipment
How long does it take to build: 6-12 months to build portfolio
Sell your art online
For artists and creatives looking for new income streams, selling your art through online platforms represents an entrepreneurial business idea worth considering. By uploading your artwork to sites like Etsy, Saatchi Art, and Fine Art America, you can open your own virtual gallery showcasing pieces for an international audience. This allows you to retain independence over pricing and promotion, while tapping into the massive customer base of art collectors and decor lovers accessible online. With some research into marketing yourself effectively, paired with high-quality images of your best work, your artistic talents could translate into a lucrative side business or even full-time creative enterprise via these digital art marketplaces.
How much you can make: $20-100k profit potential
How much does it cost to start: Under $1k startup costs
How long does it take to build: 6-12 months to drive sales
Art therapy workshops
Art therapy workshops provide a creative outlet for self-expression and mental wellbeing. These workshops welcome all artistic backgrounds to explore painting, drawing, sculpting, and more in a relaxed, judgement-free environment. Guided by an experienced art therapist, participants can find stress relief, improved mood, and new insights through the artistic process. Consider offering art therapy workshops as private sessions, group classes, or as part of corporate wellness programs. With minimal overhead for art supplies, this can be an accessible business opportunity for aspiring therapists to make an impact sharing art’s therapeutic benefits, while establishing their practice.
How much you can make: $30-80k profit potential
How much does it cost to start: Minimal startup costs
How long does it take to build: 6-12 months to fill workshops
Artistic furniture design
Turning furniture into functional art is a creative business concept worth exploring. Handcrafting one-of-a-kind benches, tables, beds, and shelves that double as décor caters to those seeking stylish statement pieces. As an artistic furniture designer, you can blend materials like wood, metal, glass, and fabric into sculpturesque furnishings clients proudly display in their homes and offices. Establishing relationships with interior designers and architects provides a pipeline for commissions. Attracting high-end clients willing to pay premium prices for your artwork enables operating a potentially lucrative small business merging craftsmanship with imagination in a novel way.
How much you can make: $75-200k profit potential
How much does it cost to start: $10-20k for materials & tools
How long does it take to build: 1-2 years to build a reputation
Mobile art gallery
A mobile art gallery is a traveling exhibition space that brings art to people in their communities. The gallery would be housed in a customized van or trailer outfitted with proper lighting, climate control, and security to safely transport and display artworks. The goal is to increase access to art by curating compelling exhibitions and driving them to events, parks, schools, retirement communities and other locations. This innovative concept makes enjoying art more convenient and helps foster new connections between artists and audiences that may not otherwise interact with the arts. The mobile art gallery also raises awareness about art and creates unique educational experiences for people of all ages and backgrounds.
How much you can make: $50-150k profit potential
How much does it cost to start: $10-20k for vehicle & equipment
How long does it take to build: 6-12 months to curate shows
Conclusion
Art business ideas encompass a diverse range of opportunities for creative artists to explore if they want to make their artistic expression a successful business . From establishing an online art gallery or creating a personalized art commission service to offering art classes or workshops, the possibilities are vast – but it is important to conduct proper market research to ensure that there is a market need for your business idea.
More must-read stories from Enterprise League:
- Creative jewelry business ideas that you can start today.
- Promising business ideas for men you should consider.
- Low-cost business ideas with huge potential.
- Profitable small town business ideas that you can start today.
- Promising food business ideas you should be aware of.
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