If you want to generate more publicity and attract more art sales you can tap into a range of opportunities available throughout the year. All you need is access to a calendar of special events to get started. You’ll discover there are dozens of occasions for almost every special interest you can imagine. This article will show you many eventful ways to promote and sell your art every month of the year. You may want to bookmark this page to refer to it as you schedule your art marketing efforts.
There was a time in my art career when I spent a lot of time organizing large art galas and Open Studio events for artists, celebrities and nonprofit organizations in NYC. I would often use the calendar of events as a tool to launch successful art events and collaborate with others.
For instance, when I learned about the national “American Music Week” celebration I coordinated an “Art Inspired by Music” exhibition at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and organized a major gala with musicians and recording artists. Because the city was already buzzing with this celebration of American music, exhibiting artists were able to expand their audience and we received major television and print coverage.
You Can Begin Small and Still Make An Impact
You don’t have to organize a major gala to align yourself with regional, national and international events. You can do something on a smaller scale and still make an impact.
You can organize your events online or create a video on the subject.
After you organize your event use your email newsletter and art blog to promote them and increase attendance. Use social media to get the word out and don’t forget to use the appropriate hashtags!
This article includes several ideas for every month of the year. You can use the themes to plan an exhibition, special sale, or write a blog post.
Ideas to Promote and Sell Your Art Every Month
In January you can tie your art into many themes when these events occur: New Years Day; Martin Luther King Jr. Day; Australia Day; National Book Month; and National Thank You Month.
January is also the time to focus on National Eye Care Month. One year, I arranged an event for a sculptor and invited the Lighthouse for the Blind, a major nonprofit organization, to his studio so vision-impaired individuals could experience his art through touch. To sponsor the event and increase attendance we included optometrists and eye wear designers.
February is associated with love and romance, and it’s also the month of the Chinese New Year, National Freedom Day, Groundhog Day, President’s Day, Mardi Gras, Black History Month, American Heart Month, and National Bird Feeding Month. That should give you many ideas!
February is also Chocolate Lover’s Month. I will never forget when I organized an Open Studio event for an artist and had a baker create chocolate cakes decorated to resemble some of the artist’s paintings! We took advantage of this photo opportunity to capture the attention of the art and food lovers, lifestyle writers and magazines for widespread promotion.
March marks the beginning of Spring and renewal. It is also time to celebrate Women’s History and as you know there are many events for artists in March.
It is also Red Cross Month, Social Worker’s Month, Youth Art Month, National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, and Ethics Awareness Month. Did you know it’s also Humorists Are Artists Month? That could be enormous fun! It’s also Irish-American Heritage Month, Music in Our Schools Month, National Craft Month, and Optimism Month!
April is devoted to Saving The Earth and The Environment which makes it the perfect month for nature-inspired artists, eco-artists and environmental artist activists.
Did you know that April is also Autism Awareness Month, and Books to Brighten Young Minds Months? Think about the possibilities of how you can tap into those events.
If you’re an artist who creates animal portraits you may want to get involved in promoting Animal Cruelty Prevention Month in April.
May is American Bike Month. It’s also when we celebrate National Women’s Health Week, Memorial Day, and Cinco de Mayo. Furthermore, it is also time to celebrate Mothers on May 8th and National Teacher Appreciation Week! Here’s an idea: How about offering a special work of art or “gift with purchase” for mothers and teachers during the month of May?
June is Great Outdoors Month for all of you nature-inspired artists. It’s also the month that launches the beginning of Summer. Utilize the timing of Father’s Day to generate sales of art as gifts for fathers. Also consider Special Education Week and International Volunteer’s Week to raise awareness about your art.
June is also the month many of us celebrate Adopt-A-Cat Month. I recall a memorable event when I helped an artist who does animal portraits with an exhibition that helped to raise funds for a cat shelter. We procured a cat food manufacturer to be our invaluable sponsor and groomers to contribute to making this a worthy cause and sensational event.
July is associated with Independence for all of these countries: the United States, Belarus, Venezuela, Argentina, Belgium, the Bahamas, and the Maldives. The national days for France and Canada also occur in July. July 1st is International Joke Day. Did you also know that in July we celebrate Bastille Day, Parent’s Day, National Ice Cream Month, National Blueberry Month and National Picnic Month?
Are rabbits the subjects of any of your art? July is the time to shout it out, as we celebrate National Adopt-a-Rabbit Month.
August is American Artist Appreciation Month which offers you an opportunity to promote yourself and fellow artists.
If you’re an artist concerned with our water supply, use the National Water Quality Month of August as a chance to align yourself with a nonprofit conservation group.
We also celebrate Women’s Equality Day in August. It’s also known as Harvest Month. Those events offer many promotional opportunities.
August 15th is National Relaxation Day in America and has been since 1985. What a wonderful time to encourage your fans and followers to enjoy viewing your calming, meditative and restorative works of art.
September is the month we celebrate Autumn so it’s the best time to have an exhibition of your fall-inspired artwork. It is also Classical Music Month, in case your art is inspired by music. If you are Hispanic, arrange an exhibition in time for National Hispanic Heritage Month which starts mid September.
Arts in Education begins its promotion in September, a wonderful time for artists-instructors to boost their activities. Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year is celebrated in September. A Chinese holiday that honors the the moon occurs during that month.
On September 11 we also honor those who lost their lives and served to protect us in the terrorist attacks.
During the month of October you have so many events to choose from which include Yom Kippur, Child Health Day, Halloween, Italian American Heritage Month, Polish American Heritage Month, National Breast Cancer Month, Country Music Month and National Book Fair Month. Have your exhibition in a bookstore, promote your own book during this month, and/or invite an author to co-host an exhibition with you.
Are you a dog portrait artist? You’ll be pleased to know that October is also National Adopt-a-Dog Month.
If you’re looking for ways to promote your art in November, consider these dates: Veterans Day, World Diabetes Day and Thanksgiving. Also know that it’s the time for American Indian Heritage Month, Good Nutrition Month, and Aviation Month.
In December artists attract more sales as it makes wonderful gifts for Hanukkah, Christmas and
Kwanzaa. This month also offers creative ways to promote your art. It’s also time for Read a New Book Month and Human Rights Month.
So, get out your calendar and plan to take action!
Final Notes: Best Ways to Collaborate
* Choose one or more months and contact charities to help raise awareness and funds.
* If you belong to a gallery suggest that they do an exhibition on the theme of the month.
* Collaborate with organizations and businesses for a public art project.
* Create a new body of work inspired by the occasion and unveil the series in that month.
This is really great Renee. Thank you for such an awesome list.
Thank you Susan, I’m glad to know the article is helpful to you. I love your whimsical digital collages!