| ay to raise funds is doing an art raffle fundraiser. | | | | artists and the artwork being offered. |
| Essentially, you host an event where local artists | | | | A catchy name for your event definitely helps. |
| donate a sample of their work and your group | | | | Try something like "Off The Wall Fundraiser" or |
| sells a select number of high-dollar raffle tickets, | | | | cause-related like "Art Against AIDS." Above all, |
| usually the same number as donated art items. | | | | make the name unique, relevant, and memorable. |
| The tickets are then randomly drawn at a | | | | Raffle ticket sales |
| gallery-style event and each ticket holder selects | | | | To raise significant funds, you must price your |
| their artwork right off the walls. | | | | raffle tickets high. Try to closely match the ticket |
| Getting started | | | | price with the average selling price of the donated |
| To pull of this type of fundraising event, you'll | | | | artwork while still offering a bargain. |
| need extensive contacts in the art community to | | | | If the average piece sells for $250, then price |
| get donated artwork, an upscale location for the | | | | accordingly, but not so high you scare off |
| event, and some good publicity to attract | | | | potential buyers. In this instance, a ticket price in |
| well-heeled art patrons. | | | | the $125 to $150 range is still a bargain. You have |
| While an art gallery would be a great location, it | | | | to remember that each ticket holder gets to |
| isn't absolutely essential. A corporate headquarters | | | | select from only the artwork left on the walls |
| location, convention center, or community meeting | | | | when their number is drawn. |
| place will also make good locations. You need a | | | | You can also consider offering two classes of |
| well-known location with plenty of parking and | | | | tickets, with one being restricted to super |
| permission or permits to serve food and alcoholic | | | | premium pieces. However, one of the big draws |
| beverages. | | | | of these events is the dream that their ticket |
| Getting art donated | | | | gets drawn early and they get to grab a really |
| Artists want exposure to large gatherings of | | | | expensive, highly desirable piece of art. |
| potential buyers, but they don't want to work for | | | | Event details |
| free. You have to convince them that the | | | | Make it a fun atmosphere with lots of time to |
| exposure is well worth their donation. | | | | mingle, offer wine and cheese tastings, provide a |
| One approach is to invite them to the event | | | | cash bar, have an interesting guest speaker, etc. |
| where they can mingle with the art patrons, | | | | By providing a buildup to the raffle drawing, you |
| describe their pieces, and make contacts for | | | | make it an event to remember and build a base |
| other sales. | | | | for a repeat event next year. |
| Another approach is to prominently feature each | | | | Have a master of ceremonies do the actual |
| artist's biography, along with pictures and | | | | drawing and include a drum roll sound effect for |
| descriptions of the type of work they do, and | | | | at least the first ticket drawn. Take pictures or |
| include their contact information in a booklet | | | | video of each winner's mad dash to claim their |
| distributed to all event attendees. | | | | coveted artwork. |
| Getting publicity | | | | Once people have made their selections, allow |
| Your art raffle definitely needs publicity to | | | | whatever swapping of artwork that people want. |
| succeed. Create a press release and get copies of | | | | Have some sort of special prize drawing at the |
| it to every newspaper, radio station and television | | | | end to encourage people to stay for the whole |
| station in your market. Be sure to include full | | | | event. |
| contact information for media interviews. | | | | Wrap everything up at the stated hour and thank |
| Also include links to your website where additional | | | | everyone for their support of your art raffle |
| information can be found about the event, your | | | | fundraiser! |
| cause, and further descriptions of participating | | | | |