Art sourcing for designers and businesses

Interior designers, home stagers, restaurants, offices, condo developers and owners of short-term rentals.

A markup on artwork you buy for the client, or a commission from the artist or gallery, sometimes plus a sourcing or curation fee per project.

• Understanding design briefs and budgets
• Knowledge of local artists and galleries
• Relationship building with designers
• Organizing deliveries and installation

• Commercial general liability insurance, and cover for artwork while it is in transit or on client sites
• Clear written agreements with artists about commission, ownership and payment timing
• Deposits and payment terms, because projects can be slow to pay
• GST/HST and provincial sales tax registration, so check the rules for your province
• Reliance on a few big clients, as projects can be uneven

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on your setup, samples, insurance and delivery needs. These are estimates only, so build a budget around your own plans and the kinds of clients you want to serve.

Monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $4,000, depending on how many projects you win and how large they are. Projects can be uneven and slow to pay, so deposits and clear payment terms matter. These figures are estimates, not guarantees.

Check commercial general liability insurance, including cover for artwork in transit or on client sites. Also check GST/HST and provincial sales tax registration for your province, and use clear written agreements with artists covering commission, ownership and payment timing.