Art at your Charity Benefit Auction? A Chance for New Money or a Catastrophe waiting to happen?

Note: Many thanks to Drew Brophy - http://drewbrophy.com  Ro Diaz- http://www.rodiaz.com/ and Tom Varano http://premierespeakers.com/tom_varano for their contributions to this post. 

 Many Auctioneers who specialize in Charity Benefit Auctions will caution you against Art as a rule in a Fundraising Auction.  This is a valid concern as Art can be dangerous in a Benefit Auction if you don’t know the crowd or what they may or may not like.

I’m certain that it won’t surprise you that I would advise that you hire an auctioneer with experience doing fundraising auctions so let’s get that out of the way. Charity Fundraisers are not like ordinary auctions where you want to move merchandise as fast as possible to bidders looking for bargains. They're conducted very differently and the right auctioneers know how to do that. A skilled charity fundraiser auctioneer can make a huge difference in the auction's bottom line. Of course you must assure the auctioneer has notes describing each work of art and the background of the artist who created it. Art sells for more money if it is described and properly displayed.  A meeting between the Auctioneer and the Artist is recommended and at a time and place other than Auction day.

 If you are considering this type of Item in your Benefit Auction take a moment to consider things from the Artists point of view. The risk being run is considerable if the Artist is established and might take offense at his work not being sold at the best price. Even Artists who donate all the proceeds from their work to the Charity can be skittish. If their work sells for 25% of what it brings at a Gallery an Artists reputation can be damaged and the perception can be “Why should I buy it for that price in the gallery? I saw it go for much less at an Auction recently. “

 Most Charities ask for a straight Donation from the Artist and do not offer to share the revenue form the piece.  Other than feeling good about their contribution, there is little to gain.  There is no marketing value to these events, unless their name and art is printed on all of the Auction brochures and advertising (this rarely happens).

 Of course sometimes it is possible that a Piece sells for 2 or three times the Gallery or Collector price, and an Artists reputation can be enhanced and his work can sell for much higher after the public hears about the great price brought at the American Cancer Society Gala  (for example) recently. Demand can be created for his/her work .So consider these issues when approaching an Artist for a Donation. A few years ago

Consult with the Artist ahead of time and set a reserve for the piece. If it does not reach that reserve, don't sell it. If the reserve is unreasonable politely decline the offer or sell the work via another method.

 Drew Brophy a very popular Artist instituted guidelines for charities. He advocates sharing the revenue from the Art with the Artist. It’s a compelling argument and you can read it by following this link.  http://drewbrophy.com/brophy-principal-giving-art-to-worthy-causes-while-protecting-the-value/


 There is also the Performance Artist who paints or creates Art at your Event as the Attendees watch and wonder at the talent on display. Two of those that I know of are Tom Varano and Ro Diaz.

Tom Varano has been an artist for 25 years, and his studio is call, Varano Photography (varano.com). He is now using fingertips, palms and multiple brushes to paint custom portraits of honorees at your event on a 4 foot by 5 foot canvas in just a matter of minutes.
His creations are choreographed to music chosen by the Honoree or Gala Committee that is powerful and stimulates the senses. Tom's Emotion Into Art™ is described as taking his audience through an amazing journey of excitement, suspense, cheer, motivation and surprise. Check him out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qQtDK_MfX0

 Rolando Diaz , Born in Havana, Cuba, to a Cuban immigrant businessman who fled an oppressive Communist regime, Diaz learned early that there are those who will go through life with little or nothing they can call their own. This thought has touched the heartstrings of the artist, who has traveled through cities in the U.S. and other countries, including Cap Haitian, Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the world, recalling and painting those images, and raising funds through his art for the poor. Ro also creates his works during the event as the music plays and inspires him and he does it as the Audience watches in awe. Diaz travels internationally with his art to countries such as Africa, Brazil, France, Switzerland, Hungary, Austria, Italy, Honduras, Guatemala, England and Canada.

Learn about Ro here: http://www.rodiaz.com/

  Both of these men bring a unique experience in Art to your Gala Auction. It’s new, fun and innovative.

The end game for you to consider is can this add to my bottom line? Generate more revenue for my event and therefore my cause.  Whether the Art is a lost Picasso donated by a generous Benefactor or the Performance Art by Rolando, Tom or some other artist does it make sense for my crowd?

We can help with that as part of our service is crowd analysis and consulting on the right items for your event. Call us at 512-748-1849 or visit www.austinauctioneer.com and let’s talk about these and other ideas for your event.