Full-time sculptor for galleries and public art

Galleries, municipalities and arts councils running public art calls, developers, businesses and serious private collectors.

Gallery sales (the gallery usually keeps a share), fees for commissioned and public works, and grants that fund new projects.

• Strong sculpting and fabrication skills at larger scale
• Writing proposals and artist statements
• Project and budget management

• Commercial general liability insurance, plus cover for your work in storage and transit
• Check lease terms, zoning and fire rules for your studio, especially if you weld, cast or use kilns
• Income can be uneven, so plan cash flow around long project timelines and gallery payment delays
• Check your provincial rules for WCB/WSIB coverage if you hire assistants or fabricators
• Check GST/HST obligations and the contract terms on galleries' commission rates and copyright

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on studio rental, tools and materials. Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,000 to $5,000, and income can be uneven because of long project timelines.

Check your studio lease terms, zoning and fire rules, especially if you weld, cast or use kilns. Also check commercial general liability insurance, cover for work in storage and transit, WCB/WSIB rules if you hire help, and GST/HST.

Estimates suggest at least about 30 hours a week. You need strong sculpting and fabrication skills at larger scale, plus the ability to write proposals and artist statements and to manage projects and budgets.