Starting an art business in NYC is a dream of many artists for a good reason. New York is one of the world’s biggest and most advanced art centers, and any artist who wants to make it big in the US almost certainly has to go through New York’s scene at least once.
Overcoming challenges
However, starting an art business can be challenging. New York is a huge place, and there are a lot of artists there. While that certainly is a good thing, that can pose a challenge to up-and-coming artists and business owners, especially when comes to buying a commercial real estate property and managing finances. So, welcome to our guide to starting an art business in NYC. Here we’ll explore what you need to know about New York’s art scene, the best areas for art, and how to stay afloat and succeed in this competitive environment.
Know your limits
Before you even think about starting an art business in NYC, think about where your limits are.
First of all, even though making and managing art is one of the best things an artist can do, it is not as easy as it might seem at the first glance. We don’t mean to discourage you, but you’ll probably be spending most of your time managing finances, getting contacts, dealing with law, etc. When you have an art business, you’ll be spending far less time creating art than you would want, especially if you’re a small business that wants to succeed.
Also, you have to see where you are standing financially. Opening an art gallery or any kind of art business in NYC is not exactly cheap. New York is one of the world’s centers of art, and every aspiring artist wants to be here. You’ll have tough competition and most of your problems will be solved with good finances and connections.
So, make sure to know where your limits are, and how much you are willing to sacrifice to make your business work.
Look for the moving company that can relocate your art and the materials you’ll need
One thing is to think about moving your art business in NYC, and entirely another is to move everything you need to your art gallery, music studio, etc.
Movers from Brooklyn Movers New York say that only when their customers see that their art and equipment is being loaded in the truck, they realize that all of this is happening. And this is where people start to worry and panic. Some even want to cancel the whole thing.
But you don’t have to worry. Starting an art business in NYC is one of the smartest things you can do as an artist, as New Yorkers tend to respect and even revere art and authors. In the US you cannot find a better place to showcase your and other people’s art.
But if you don’t want to stress over the relocation process, make sure to hire the best art movers possible. The best results are being made when professionals work with professionals.
Work with a law consultant
The safest thing you can do when starting any kind of business is to hire a law consultant. Laws and legal matters can be quite complicated, and there is no way to know them all if you are not in the business for a long time or if you are not a counsel yourself.
Sure, good law practitioners can cost a fortune, but that is nothing compared to the hassle and trouble you are going to have if you want to deal with the law yourself.
There are good reasons why business lawyers exist. You’ll have to sign a bunch of documents and contracts, you’ll have to make sure that everything you do is legal, and it’s so easy to get lost in legal documents and get something wrong. That can ultimately cost you much more than paying a law consultant.
The best locations in NYC for art business
Gowanus
In recent years this Brooklyn neighborhood has seen an influx of artists. This of course means that new art galleries and other art businesses are created here.
Gowanus has never been exactly an art “Mecca” of New York, but that is changing fast. Young artists are seeing the potential in this neighborhood, as the cost of real estate here is reasonable. This means that you can easily open an art business here without overextending your finances. Who knows, maybe a new “Gowanus wave” will be born here soon.
With new art businesses that are popping up, moving companies specializing in art relocation are being created to help artists with their moving needs. So, look for help in the neighborhood and find movers that can take your stuff to this quickly growing neighborhood.
Red Hook
Next to Gowanus, another amazing “artsy” neighborhood is growing fast. Even though it is in the center of New York, this neighborhood is incredibly quiet and inspiring.
Like in Gowanus, Red Hook has seen a great influx of artists who are creating art studios, galleries, recording studios, and performance spaces. These two neighborhoods are new centers of experimentation and creation, as they have a lot in common. Wherever you decide to open your art business, you won’t make a mistake.
Washington Heights
This amazing Manhattan neighborhood is home to many artists, young professionals, and retired Manhattanites. Washington Heights is certainly one of the hottest New York neighborhoods for startups, and this kind of environment is fantastic for artists, as those groups tend to revere art as it should be.
Both modern and traditional art scene is thriving here, as one can see at the first glance in the architecture of the neighborhood. Washington Heights is a perfect neighborhood for anyone who wants to start any kind of business. It is a perfect area for starting an art business in NYC.