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Show + Sale
Learn
Learn
Get mentorship and FREE workshops to help you succeed
Show + Sale
Create
Create
Make artwork that shows off your personality
Show + Sale
Sell
Sell
Showcase your creations in person and online
WELCOME TO SHOW + SALE
A program for artists with entrepreneurial spirit
Show + Sale is a student & alumni-run and led, non for profit program provided by the Alberta University of the Arts Students’ Association.
We are your opportunity as a current AUArts student to sell your work to the public and learn professional development skills! Our program helps BFA, BDes, and MFA students hone their professional skills and provides them with a platform to sell their artwork with confidence. Each academic year, we provide free professional development programs and host one in-person market that culminates in a selling opportunity
What Sets Us Apart?
All Show + Sale programs are offered to students AT NO COST.
At Show + Sale, we put artists first! Our Markets exclusively represent current AUArts students.
Unlike other art markets, we are a nonprofit program brought to you by the AUArts Students' Association. 100% of sales goes to supporting creative careers at AUArts, with 75% of sales going directly to our artists.
Our 25% commission fee, allows us to:
- Provide student scholarships and FREE professional development for our school community.
- Make participation in Show + Sale programs and workshops FREE for all students.
- Hire and provide work experience to current students and recent alumni.
- Fund the program's operating costs.
- Pay our Show + Sale participants' GST. So our student artists can focus on learning market skills.
Why Participate in Show + Sale?
A low-risk opportunity to gain market experience
Our programs are offered at no cost to students. Therefore our artists do not need to pay fees associated with setting up a booth, marketing and point-of-sale systems. It is all provided with workshops to learn about each step in the commercial market process.
This means you can invest your time into learning entrepreneurial skills without worrying about making sales to break even.
We pay our artists' GST
The Show + Sale program pays sales tax on behalf of our participating artists. Therefore, Show + Sale artists do not need a business registration or a GST registration number at this time, as a means for students to focus on learning the skills to sell.
Hands-on learning opportunities
As a Show + Sale participant, you are actively taking part in each step preparing for the market.
Each artist will receive one-on-one mentoring with the Show + Sale Coordinator. Throughout the program you will receive in-person and offline workshops and a chance to network with industry professionals.
What is the Winter Market Experience
During the 2024 Winter Market:
- 110 students completed the Winter Market program.
- 92% of students sold at least 1 artwork
- Over 1300 people attended the two day in-person market!
What to expect as a participant
Artists will have the first 6 weeks to complete the following required professional development workshops. The workshops are designed so that Artists can do them at their own pace in accordance with their class schedule:
Entering into a Contract with a Commercial Gallery
Artists will be given the Show and Sale Program and Consignment Contract to review, sign and or negotiate. The artist contract is modeled after existing legal contracts between an independent artist and a commercial gallery selling the artist's work on consignment. Learn your rights as an artist and how to read a formal contract.
Business Basics for Makers
Basic accounting, taxes and pricing for emerging artists with a simple accompanying activity sheet. Learn how to operate a small business, what does it mean to be self-employed and strategies to sell your work in a way that you feel confident in.
Product Guide, Inventory & More
Everything you need to know about preparing and packaging your work to sell! This includes a detailed step-by-step guide on how to prepare your artwork for display and sale in a retail environment. Along with keeping track of your inventory, product tagging and protective packaging strategies.
FAQs about the Winter Market Program
Although we cannot guarantee sales, at Show + Sale we strongly believe that there is an audience for everything! Putting your artwork out into the market world is the first step to finding that audience. Through this program you will learn new skills to apply to future market endeavors and gain confidence in selling your work.
The Winter Market is a 8 week program, students are required to attend 3, one hour long professional development workshops, meet deadlines on time, attend mandatory meetings and training sessions, and submit documents. However, There is no expectation for the students to make new bodies of work to sell, or to prioritize Show + Sale over their school work!
Show + Sale is a non-profit program and market. The 25% sales commission fee goes right back to the AUArts Community.
The sales commission directly funds:
- Student scholarships and FREE professional development for our school community.
- Offering participation in Show + Sale programs and workshops at no cost to students
- Hiring and providing work experience to current students and recent alumni.
- Covers the program's operating costs.
- Paying our program's participating artists' sales tax on their behalf, so that they do not need a business registration or a GST registration at this time.
What our Show + Sale alumni are saying
Diving into Show & Sale was such a thrill! Seeing my pieces presented on the digital platform, and then watching them find new homes, was exciting and was confirmation that I am on the right path with my ceramic practice.
Vivian Smith
BFA graduate 2023
Show and Sale was a supportive and low-risk introduction to markets and personal branding, and it’s something I think every AUArts student should try to take part in.
Terri Lemire-Wilson
BDes graduate 2023
As an emerging artist, the experience of participating in the Show + Sale has boosted my confidence in showcasing both my art and myself professionally. I would encourage all students to participate... it is well worth your time!
Elise Lavalee Findlay
BFA graduate 2023
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