Artists can often find their hearts and minds in conflict when asked to
donate their work. Charity auctions regularly ask artists to contribute
a work of art that can be sold to raise money, and certainly there is
satisfaction in helping a worthy cause.
by Daniel Grant
Artists can often find their hearts and minds in conflict when asked
to donate their work. Charity auctions regularly ask artists to
contribute a work of art that can be sold to raise money, and certainly
there is satisfaction in helping a worthy cause. However, unlike art
collectors who are entitled to deduct the full market value of any
object they donate, artists are only permitted to deduct the cost of
the materials used in creating their donated work. For this and other
reasons, many artists see more drawbacks—such as seeing their artwork
picked up for a fraction of its value, forgoing any tax benefits, the
unlikelihood of a donation furthering their career—than advantages to
giving work to charity.
In many cases, however, a situation that may seem to take advantage
of an artist may actually end up working to his or her benefit. As part
of its ongoing fund-raising efforts, Wisconsin Public Television, in
Madison, holds an annual six-day auction, the first day of which
consists exclusively of antiques and artwork. “We wondered how we could
best showcase the talent and commitment of the artists who donate work
for the auction, and then we realized that we should ask the artists
themselves,” says Kathleen Callaghan, the auction manager for Wisconsin
Public Television. “We’d rather give more to artists who donate their
work than to businesses that donate $125.”
As a result, the station initiated a program that features the
artists and their artwork in the weeks leading up to the auction and
throughout the year in the monthly magazine Airwaves, which is
distributed to members. An online catalogue for the auction is also
available for viewing several weeks before the event, and artists who
contribute their work are permitted to set up links to their own
websites for those who want to see more. Additionally, the
public-television station allows artists to leave their business cards
and brochures at the site of the auction for those bidders and visitors
who come in person. “This opportunity for exposure has helped a number
of artists raise their profiles in the community,” Callaghan says.
Wisconsin Public Television isn’t alone in its efforts to make
charity more professionally rewarding for artists. West Valley Art
Museum, in Surprise, Arizona, holds an annual two-day Arts Silent
Auction that splits proceeds 50/50 with participating artists, allowing
them to both give and receive something tangible. “This seemed like a
great way to motivate artists to help us,” explains Mike Bailey, the
museum’s education coordinator and manager of the auction, “and it only
seemed fair, since artists get a split when they sell their work
through a gallery.” Additionally, the museum runs art fairs in the
spring and fall, reducing artists’ booth fees by $75 when they donate a
work of art worth more than $75.
Another annual silent art auction, held in Fort Wayne, Indiana, by
an organization called Artists Against Multiple Sclerosis, provides
participating artists with such incentives as a brunch, thank-you
gifts, and individual display areas at the auction site. In another
approach, an annual Art Against AIDS benefit staged by the
Chicago-based Heartland Alliance solicits contributions of artwork that
will be put on exhibition and sold to the public, with all proceeds
going directly to support the Alliance’s HIV/AIDS programs. Artists who
donate their work may deduct the money paid for the art on their tax
returns.
A somewhat different program of soliciting donations from artists is
the Boston-based The Art Connection, which places donated artwork in
nonprofit social-service agencies throughout the city, such as
hospitals, senior and community centers, and domestic-abuse shelters.
“It is bringing artwork to populations that may not have much exposure
to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston,” explains Tova Speter, the program
manager for The Art Connection. She notes that many donations are older
works that the artists aren’t exhibiting anymore, but some of the
donations are newer. Although it is unlikely that the clients of these
social-service agencies will become collectors, these organizations
still put up plaques next to each artwork, identifying the artist and
the individual piece, and they also hold receptions for the artists.
Their websites frequently feature the artwork and provide links to the
artists’ own sites, as does the website of The Art Connection itself.
When
deciding whether to donate, artists should seek organizations that
offer these kinds of incentives. Other options include negotiating
arrangements with charities holding auctions, such as establishing
minimum bids, which would ensure that the art is not sold unless the
bid reaches a certain amount. Artists can also offer works for sale at
charity auctions, donating the money earned (or a certain portion of
that money) to the charitable cause, which they may then deduct in full
on their tax returns. Certainly, donating does not have to be a
negative experience for artists, and many find great fulfillment in
freely giving of their time and talents.
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