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An art business offers incredible opportunities, from showcasing your creativity to reaching a wider audience through galleries, art shows, your website, social media, and online marketplaces. Forming an LLC for your art business protects your personal assets, provides tax benefits, and establishes a legal structure that enhances credibility with clients and collectors. Whether you sell original artwork, prints, or creative services, having the right legal foundation ensures greater stability. Attorney-backed and approved, we’re here to guide you through the process.
Selling your art should be as creative and stress-free as making it. Set up an LLC with us — it's quick, easy, and packed with benefits for your art business.
An LLC , or limited liability company, is defined by the state where you register. When you form one, you form a legal entity separate from you. This is the key benefit because it helps protect your personal assets from your business liability. If someone sues your LLC, your home, cars, and other personal assets aren’t at risk.
Starting a business selling artwork is an exciting venture, but beyond product selection and marketing strategies, entrepreneurs must consider the legal and financial aspects of their operations.
This guide explores key considerations for LLC formation, including tax obligations and common mistakes to avoid.
You don't need an LLC to sell your art, but setting one up provides substantial benefits. An LLC shields your personal assets in case of legal disputes and boosts your business's credibility. In an era where authenticity and copyright issues are hot topics, this protection is crucial.
Setting up an art LLC with us is straightforward and offers more than just legal security. You'll enjoy tax advantages, access to outside funding, and a solid business foundation. It's better to safeguard your art business now than face potential legal issues later.
If someone brings legal action against your art LLC, your personal assets are not at risk. This is important when you’re selling art to help protect against copyright infringement and misrepresentation claims.
Having your art LLC makes it easier to keep your personal information private. As an individual artist, without a separate legal entity, your name and address needs to go on all public documents.. An art LLC lets you sign up for a virtual address and set up accounts under the business name.
An LLC’s default tax status is known as a “pass-through.” All of your business income is passed through to your personal income tax return. You can also choose to be taxed as a corporation. In that case, you get the tax benefits without the paperwork requirements.
Compared to other business types, an art LLC is one of the easiest to start and maintain. Just click Start My Business, and we’ll take it from there. And we help you stay compliant, letting you stay focused on your creativity.
As an artist, selling your work is a labor of love. You’re a creator. We’re here to help you start an art business LLC, so you can continue to do what you love. If you’re overwhelmed or lost, just contact us. We’re here to help.
Choosing the right legal structure is the first step. The choices are sole proprietorship, DBA, LLC, or Corporation.
If you’re the only one in your business, a sole proprietorship is the easiest structure to form because you don’t need to do anything. You can also use a Doing Business As (DBA) to name your company. The problem is there’s no legal separation between your business and you. That leaves your personal assets at risk if your business is sued. You also have little-to-no privacy. Your personal name and address are on all documents.
LLCs, or limited liability companies, protect your personal assets from business liabilities. They offer flexible management and taxation choices. They also let you leverage virtual offices and better keep your personal information private. These are the reasons we recommend you at least register your art business as an LLC.
A corporation, on the other hand, is a structure that supports outside funding and growth at the highest levels. Corporations are complex structures to register and require compliance maintenance. If this is your plan, we can help!
There are many different kinds of businesses in the art industry. You want to ensure your business name lets people know what yours is about.
As an artist, a lot of credibility comes from you as a person. You can use your individual name and still create an LLC. You can also name your business something different. Start by brainstorming some name ideas. Think of some that convey your niche. If you design jewelry, for instance, it may be wise to insert the word “jewelry” into your name. Keep in mind both short-term and long-term plans. Other niches include art therapy, art rentals, and teaching art.
Check to see if your name is available in your state's business registry. You can often do this online through the state's Secretary of State website or business registration portal. Conducting a trademark search using the United States Patent and Trademark Office's database is a good idea to make sure your chosen name isn't already trademarked.
Make sure your desired domain is available as well as social media handles. Even if you’re not ready to create a website or post content, owning them is important.
Every type of business benefits from the clarity that writing a business plan provides. Writing a plan ensures no stone goes unturned. You can see and close gaps on paper before they happen in real life.
If you want to secure funding from a bank loan or outside investor, they’ll want to see a well-laid-out business plan.
There is no one right way to write a business plan for your art company. While there are various templates, most plans include these sections:
For businesses that need to procure supplies, be sure to include how you’ll address supply chain issues.
Use our step-by-step business plan template to help you define a strong roadmap for your art business.
Having a solid brand is the foundation of all your marketing efforts. It starts with determining crucial messages such as your brand promise, unique value proposition, and brand positioning statement. It continues with developing your brand personality.
As an art LLC, you want to portray an image of trust and creativity. Your style needs to shine through consistently wherever you market your products or services. Having a brand strategy in place helps make that happen.
In addition to messages, you want a brand identity. This includes fonts, colors, and a logo. If you’re a graphic designer or brand strategist know that it can be hard (sometimes impossible!) to do for yourself what you do for your clients. Hiring a professional who views your business objectively can help solidify your own brand.
Are you an ecommerce art business? If so, you’re selling products online, and you’ll want to make sure you have the necessary platform. Will you own a brick-and-mortar shop? Maybe you want your art pieces displayed in galleries. Whatever your talent, defining revenue streams for an art business is crucial.
If you're a painter who wants to sell their work, you may want to think of ways to make money doing so. While you try to sell your works, for example, maybe you also hold workshops that teach others how to paint. It’s normal to have multiple revenue streams. An artist can also act as a consultant.
If you own a screen printing company, you can also host corporate events. Team-building activities are popular ways for companies to add to their culture.
Building a loyal customer base is essential for the long-term success of any business. If your business includes displaying and selling works of art, building relationships will be key. Cultivate relationships with art collectors, enthusiasts, and industry professionals by hosting exclusive events, art talks, and networking opportunities. Encourage collectors to become patrons of your gallery and support emerging artists.
Marketing and sales are vital for nearly all businesses. For an art-based company, marketing and sales depends on the type of art product or service you’re offering. In general, however, having a strong online presence will help.
Develop a visually appealing website that showcases your collection, artist profiles, and provides an online purchasing platform. Leverage social media platforms to engage with your audience, promote new acquisitions, and foster a community.
Speaking engagements can be great results for generating leads and getting in front of potential clients. Lecturing at schools about the importance of visual art, music, and writing not only builds the artist community but it also lets you give back. Local television stations have morning shows. They love to show local talent and will instantly put you in front of your target market. Pitching various publications is a good way to be featured in articles.
If you’re a product-based business, art fairs and exhibitions can be crucial. Even if you have a brick-and-mortar shop, these places help you reach new shoppers.
Collaborations can be a powerful way to expand your reach and tap into new audiences. They can be especially helpful when you’re first starting out. If you; 're marketing via social media, tapping into established audiences can be a great way to build your following.
Partner with other art-related businesses, such as interior designers, architects, or luxury brands, to create unique art installations or exhibitions. These collaborations can not only showcase your collection but also provide valuable cross-promotional opportunities.
If you’re a graphic designer, look to network with web developers and copywriters. These services are complementary and having trusted vendors makes everyone’s business more successful.
If you're an art therapist or someone who works to rehabilitate through the arts, collaborating with local philanthropies and hospitals could be a great way to get your name out there.
Our 5-minute process makes it quick and easy to form a business in your state.
Art businesses must navigate copyright protections, licensing agreements, and the subjective nature of art valuation. Forming an LLC for your art business is a strategic move that offers legal protection, tax benefits, and credibility. Taking the time to structure, plan, and build your business the right way will help you to avoid costly mistakes, ensure your business remains legally sound, and set your business up for sustainable growth.
