art store business plan

Art Gallery Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Business Plan Outline

• Art Gallery Business Plan Home
• 1. Executive Summary
• 2. Company Overview
• 3. Industry Analysis
• 4. Customer Analysis
• 5. Competitive Analysis
• 6. Marketing Plan
• 7. Operations Plan
• 8. Management Team
• 9. Financial Plan

Start Your Art Gallery Plan Here

You’ve come to the right place to create your art gallery business plan.

We have helped over 100,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their art galleries.

Art Gallery Business Plan Sample

Below are links to each section of an art gallery business plan example:

Next Section: Executive Summary >

Art Gallery Business Plan FAQs

What is an art gallery business plan.

An art gallery business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your art gallery business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can  easily complete your art gallery business plan using our Art Gallery Business Plan Template here .

What Are the Main Types of Art Galleries?

There are many types of art gallery companies. One type of art gallery is a commercial gallery where it is a for-profit business that displays art to be sold from various artists around the world or immediate area. There are also co-operative art galleries that involve various artists working and operating the art gallery. Another type of art gallery is a non-profit gallery where the operational funding comes from grants and donations. The artists displayed at the non-profits usually have art forms of merit or cause, rather than being a well-known artist.

What Are the Main Sources of Revenue and Expenses for an Art Gallery Business?

The primary source of revenue for an art gallery are the revenues it generates from tickets sold to visit the art gallery, membership fees if it offers memberships, and of course from the art sold at the art gallery.

The key expenses for an art gallery business are the cost to procure the art from various artists. Other expenses are the rent and utilities for the art gallery.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Art Gallery Business Plan?

Art gallery businesses are most likely to receive funding from banks. Typically you will find a local bank and present your business plan to them. Most of the time, those who want to open an art gallery will use their personal savings and/or receive funding from angel investors or various donors.

What are the Steps To Open an Art Business?

Opening  an art business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to open a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop An Art Business Plan - The first step in opening a business is to create a detailed   business plan for your art gallery that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.  

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your art business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your art business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Art Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your art business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws. 

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to open your art business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms. 

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations. 

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events. 

7. Acquire Necessary Art Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your art business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation. 

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to open promoting and marketing your art business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising. 

Learn more about how to start a successful art business:

• How to Start an Art Business

Other Helpful Business Plan Templates

Nonprofit Business Plan Template

Starting an Art Supply Store: A Comprehensive Guide

Main Sections In This Post Steps To Starting An Art Supply Store Points to Consider Resources Knowledge Is Power Featured Video

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on owning and operating an art supply store!

This post will provide you with an overview and step-by-step outline to navigate the world of art supply retail.

We’ve also included valuable resources to support you during startup and beyond.

Feel free to bookmark this page for future reference and share it with others who may find it helpful. Let’s embark on this creative adventure together!

Let’s get started with the steps.

Steps to Starting an Art Supply Store

1. gaining an overview of what you’re getting into.

This section aims to provide you with valuable insights to aid you in making informed decisions for your art supply store.

I highly recommend taking the necessary time to carefully consider these key points before you venture into the startup phase.

a.) Is Starting an Art Supply Store the Right Step for You?

Passion: The Key to Success in Your Art Supply Store

Understanding Yourself:

There is a key factor to succeeding in business, and that factor is you!

Understanding how you feel about owning and running a business is important.

The Power of Passion:

Passion is a crucial element for success in your own business.

Passion is the driving force you need. When you’re passionate about your business and problems arise, you look for solutions.

On the other hand, without it, you’ll look for a way out.

Assessing Your Passion:

How passionate are you about owning your own business?

Let’s look at an interesting perspective:

Imagine doing anything you want without restrictions and enough money to last you for the rest of your life. That means money has nothing to do with how you will spend the rest of your life.

Now an important question:

In this situation, would you start an art supply store?

If your answer is yes , it shows that you are passionate about owning and operating an art supply store and are heading in the right direction.

However, if your answer is no , it prompts another question:

What would you prefer to do instead? Perhaps, you should pursue that path instead.

In summary, you need to be passionate about the business you are starting. Your passion will be the driving force behind your success in the art supply store industry.

For More, See How Passion Affects Your Business . Also, see, Considerations Before You Start Your Business to identify key points for a new business owner.

2. An Overview of Owning an Art Supply Store

a.) Art Supply Store Overview

Operating an Art Supply Store:

Operating an art supply store is an engaging task. It is much more than just selling art supplies. It includes managing inventory and understanding customer needs.

You’ll also need to stay updated on art trends. Building relationships with artists, educators, and other community members is a key aspect.

These individuals will be your customers. Daily tasks may include ordering and arranging products, running promotions, and maintaining a clean and attractive store. Providing excellent customer service is a must.

Points To Succeed in Operating an Art Supply Store:

Success in this field requires several skills. Deep knowledge of art materials is crucial.

Having a keen eye for emerging trends and strong customer service skills are also vital. Cultivating relationships with local artists and art institutions is a key point.

It’s important to stock a wide variety of high-quality products. Knowing how to display them in an appealing manner can make a big difference.

Regularly updating inventory based on customer demands and seasonal trends will keep your store fresh and relevant.

Challenges of Running an Art Supply Store:

The challenges in this business are significant. One of the major ones is competition. You’ll face this from both online retailers and larger chain stores.

Inventory management can be tough as art supplies encompass a broad range of items. You may face difficulties reaching a wide customer base.

Dealing with fluctuating sales due to seasonal changes in the art world can also be challenging.

What Customers Expect:

Customers have clear expectations from an art supply store. They expect a wide selection of quality art supplies. This could range from basic to professional-grade materials.

They appreciate knowledgeable staff who can offer advice on the best products for their projects.

They also value a clean, well-organized store. This makes it easy for them to find what they’re looking for.

Many customers appreciate a sense of community. Hosting art classes or workshops can help meet this expectation.

b.) Pros and Cons of Owning an Art Supply Store

• Interaction with a creative customer base.
• Fostering a local art community.
• Satisfaction from helping artists find the right supplies for their work.
• Intense competition from online and chain retailers.
• Challenges in inventory management due to the wide variety of products.
• Dependence on fluctuating market trends and seasonal demands.

c.) Art Supply Store Models

Brick-and-Mortar Store:

This traditional physical store sells art supplies directly to customers. It generates income from sales and may offer in-store art classes or workshops for additional revenue.

Online Store:

This model focuses on e-commerce, selling products via a website. The business makes money from product sales and can reach a global audience.

Pop-up Store:

These temporary shops can test market interest or sell season-specific items. They generate income during their operating period.

Hybrid Model:

Combining a physical store with an online platform, this model benefits from both in-store and online sales. It may also offer art classes, both physically and virtually.

d.) Making Your Art Supply Store Stand Out:

• Expert Staff: Employ knowledgeable staff who can provide expert advice to customers.
• Unique Products: Stock local or hard-to-find items that aren’t available at big-box retailers.
• Community Engagement: Host art workshops, demos, and gallery nights that engage the local community.
• Attractive Layout: Design your store to be visually appealing and easy to navigate.

e.) Add-On Ideas for an Art Supply Store:

• Art Classes: Offer art classes for various skill levels and age groups.
• Custom Framing: Provide a custom framing service for artwork.
• Art Consultation: Offer personal shopping or art supply consultation services.
• Art Events: Host artist meet-and-greets, art book signings, and other special events.

f.) Questions You Need to Consider for Your Art Supply Store

Before starting your art supply store, please consider the following questions:

• Business Model: What business model are you considering for your art supply store?
• Operations: Will you personally handle all the operations, or are you planning to hire employees?
• Management: Do you intend to manage your store yourself, or are you considering hiring a store manager?
• Partners or Investors: Are you interested in seeking partners or investors for your store?
• Store Setup: Are you considering a traditional brick-and-mortar setup or do you plan to operate primarily online?

Your answers to these questions will guide you through the following steps in setting up your art supply store.

3. Research

Art supply store research.

Before diving into opening an art supply store, you must conduct thorough research.

By gathering quality information, you will have a clearer picture of the venture you’re embarking on. Otherwise, you may encounter unexpected situations.

One of the best sources of information is individuals experienced in running art supply stores.

Their insights, derived from years of hands-on experience, can be invaluable. They can provide reliable advice and information that you can trust.

Engaging with these seasoned professionals can be a priceless opportunity. It allows you to draw from their wealth of knowledge and experience in the art supply business.

I’ve composed an article filled with strategies on how to identify and approach these individuals in a respectful and non-intrusive manner.

While the steps are too extensive to cover in this post, I strongly recommend following the link below to read the full article.

This will ensure you have a comprehensive understanding of the undertaking ahead.

See An Inside Look Into the Business You Want To Start for all the details.

Target Audience

Understanding your target audience is essential when running an art supply store.

By knowing who your customers are, you can tailor your offerings to meet their specific needs and interests.

This insight enables you to present appealing products and services that resonate with them, leading to increased satisfaction and loyalty.

Consequently, this knowledge can drive more sales, build a loyal customer base, and ultimately enhance the overall success of your store.

People likely interested in what an art supply store offers include:

• Professional artists
• Amateur artists
• Art students
• Art teachers and educators
• Hobbyists and crafters
• Parents of young children
• Interior decorators
• Art therapists
• Collectors of art supplies
• Event and party planners

For more, see How To Understand Your Target Market.

4. Looking at Financials:

Overview of Financial Considerations for Your Art Supply Store

Startup Costs: Planning for Success

This section provides an overview of the essential financial aspects to consider when starting your art supply store, including startup costs, monthly expenses, revenues, and profits.

Accurately Estimating Startup Costs:

To ensure a smooth and successful launch, it is crucial to accurately estimate your startup costs.

Underestimating can lead to financial difficulties that may prevent you from opening your business, while overestimating may make your venture appear risky.

Factors that impact your costs include the size of your operation, chosen location, employee hiring, equipment purchases (new or used), and rental or leasing expenses.

To estimate your costs effectively, create a detailed list of everything you need and research prices.

During your research, additional considerations may arise that should be included in your estimate.

For more detailed information, refer to my article on Estimating Startup Costs.

Sales and Profit: Maximizing Success

It’s important to recognize that your sales and profitability depend on various factors, such as:

• The popularity and demand for your products and services.
• Effective marketing strategies that create awareness among your target audience.

Understanding Profitability:

Profitability extends beyond the profit earned per sale. It requires careful consideration of different expenses, including rent, payroll, and overhead costs.

In order to achieve success, you must generate sufficient sales to cover your monthly expenses and ensure a reasonable salary for yourself.

By carefully assessing and managing these financial aspects, you can set your art supply store on the path to profitability and long-term success.

For More, See Estimating Profitability and Revenue

Sample Financial Lists As a Starting Point

• Sample Start-up Costs for a New Art Supply Store:
• Lease Deposit: $5,000
• Store Renovation and Setup: $10,000
• Initial Inventory: $50,000
• Business License and Permits: $500
• Store Equipment (shelving, cash registers, etc.): $10,000
• Initial Marketing/Advertising: $2,500
• Professional Services (legal, accounting, etc.): $3,000
• Insurance: $1,000

Grand Total: $82,000

• Sample Monthly Expenses for an Art Supply Store:
• Lease/Rent: $2,000
• Inventory Restock: $10,000
• Utilities (electricity, water, internet): $500
• Employee Salaries: $8,000
• Marketing/Advertising: $1,000
• Insurance: $100
• Professional Services: $500
• Miscellaneous Expenses: $400

Grand Total: $22,500

• Profit and Sales Example for an Art Supply Store in the USA:

Let’s say the store makes an average of $30,000 in sales each month. Subtracting the estimated monthly expenses of $22,500, the store would make a monthly profit of $7,500.

This would equal an annual profit of $90,000, assuming steady sales throughout the year.

This scenario is moderately profitable and achievable, though actual figures can vary greatly based on location, market trends, competition, and other factors.

5. Choosing The Right Business Location

Choosing the Right Location for Your Art Supply Store: A Key to Success

Selecting the ideal location for your art supply store can make all the difference between success and failure. It’s crucial to consider various factors to ensure a prosperous venture.

Meeting Demand:

Operating in a location where there is no demand for your products and services can lead to failure even before your business takes off.

Conduct thorough market research to identify areas where there is a strong demand for art supplies.

Competition Considerations:

Opening your store in an area saturated with competitors can make it challenging to establish your presence in the market.

Strive to find a location with a reasonable level of competition, allowing you to carve out your share of the customer base.

Affordability and Profitability:

While a highly populated area may offer more exposure, it’s essential to assess whether the increased expense is justified by the potential profitability.

On the other hand, operating from a less expensive location might seem attractive, but ensure it can generate sufficient sales to sustain your business.

Choosing the right location is a critical factor in achieving success for your art supply store.

Conduct diligent research to make an informed decision that aligns with your business goals and maximizes your chances of prosperity.

For more about business locations, see Choosing The Best Location for Your Business.

6. Choose a Business Name

Crafting a Memorable Business Name for Your Art Supply Store

Choosing the right name for your art supply store is crucial. You want a name that is catchy, appropriate and leaves a lasting impression on your customers.

Long-Term Considerations:

Selecting a business name is a decision that often remains unchanged throughout the life of your company.

Therefore, it’s important to choose a name that resonates with your vision and is something you will proudly carry as long as you own the business.

Online Presence:

In today’s digital age, having a strong online presence is essential.

When choosing your business name, consider securing a matching domain name for your website. This ensures consistency and makes it easier for customers to find you online.

Avoiding Conflicts:

Before finalizing your chosen name, conduct a thorough search to ensure it is not already registered or being used by another business in the same industry.

This helps avoid confusion and legal issues down the road.

Art Supply Store Name Ideas to Inspire You:

• Artistry Depot
• Colorful Creations
• Brush & Palette
• Creative Expressions
• Canvas Corner
• Inspire Supplies
• Artful Endeavors
• The Art Spot
• Brushstroke Emporium
• Palette Paradise
• Crafty Creators
• Color Palette
• Artistic Edge
• The Creative Outlet
• Imagination Station
• Craft Central
• Paintbrush Junction
• Canvas Crafters
• Creative Touch
• Artistic Vibes
• The Color Wheel
• Inspire Art Supply
• Crafters’ Haven
• Artistic Avenue
• Brush Haven
• Palette Picks
• Art Essentials Emporium

Use these suggestions as a starting point to spark your own creativity and come up with a unique and original name that perfectly represents your art supply store.

Remember, a well-chosen business name can leave a lasting impression and help attract customers to your artistic haven.

For more, see the following articles:

• How To Register a Business Name
• Registering a Domain Name For Your Business

7. Register Your Company

Ensuring Your Art Supply Store is Legally Compliant

When starting your art supply store, it is essential to ensure that your business is legal and compliant with all relevant regulations.

This will help you avoid legal issues and establish a solid foundation for your operations. Consider the following steps to ensure your business is on the right track:

• Consult with a Professional: Seeking advice from a professional, such as an attorney or accountant, can provide valuable insights and guidance. They can assist you in determining the best legal structure for your business, considering factors like tax benefits and liability protection.
• Registering as a sole proprietorship or partnership
• Forming a limited liability company (LLC)
• Incorporating as a corporation
• Business license: Required by most jurisdictions to operate a business legally.
• Sales tax permit: Needed if you plan to sell taxable products.
• Zoning permits: Ensure compliance with local zoning regulations.
• Health permits: Required if you sell food or other regulated items.

Consulting with local government agencies and professional advisors will help you identify the specific permits and licenses applicable to your area.

By taking these necessary steps and ensuring your business is legally compliant, you can focus on growing your art supply store with confidence and peace of mind.

Registration:

• How to Register Your Business
• How To Register a DBA
• How to Register a Trademark
• How to Get a Business License

Business Structures:

• How to Choose a Business Structure
• Pros & Cons of a Sole Proprietorship
• How To Form an LLC
• How To Register a Business Partnership
• How To Form a Corporation
• How To Choose a Business Registration Service

8. Create Your Corporate Identity

Establishing a Strong Corporate Identity for Your Art Supply Store

A Corporate Identity (or Corporate ID) is a visual representation that embodies the essence of your art supply store and sets it apart from others.

A Corporate ID consists of various components such as your logo , business cards , website , stationary, business sign , promotional items, etc. Let’s explore the key elements of a Corporate ID for an art supply store:

1. Logo Design: Your logo is a vital component of your Corporate ID. It serves as a visual representation of your brand and can convey the essence of your art supply store’s identity.

2. Business Cards: Business cards are essential for networking and leave a lasting impression on potential customers. They should feature your logo and key contact information.

3. Website Design: In today’s digital age, a well-designed website is crucial for establishing an online presence. Your website should align with your Corporate ID, incorporating your logo, color scheme, and overall design aesthetic.

4. Stationery: Consistent stationery, including letterheads, envelopes, and invoices, reinforces your Corporate ID. These materials should feature your logo and maintain a cohesive visual style.

5. Business Signage: Eye-catching and professional signage helps attract customers to your physical store. Incorporate your logo and consistent branding elements in your business signage.

6. Promotional Items: Promotional items, such as branded art supplies or merchandise, can reinforce your Corporate ID and serve as marketing tools to increase brand awareness.

By developing a strong Corporate ID for your art supply store, you create a consistent and professional image that impresses both new and existing customers. It fosters recognition, trust, and loyalty, setting the stage for your business’s long-term success.

See A Complete Introduction to Corporate Identity Packages for more.

9. Writing a Business Plan

Developing a Comprehensive Business Plan for Your Art Supply Store

A business plan is a crucial document for your art supply store. It serves multiple purposes, such as securing funding and attracting potential investors.

Additionally, it acts as a guide to keep you on track during the startup phase and throughout your business’s operation.

Crafting a well-thought-out business plan requires time and effort as you envision the future of your art supply store. It entails careful planning and the thoughtful expression of important details.

The investment of time and consideration is worthwhile because a completed business plan provides a clear understanding of the necessary steps to launch your store and a comprehensive vision for its operation.

When creating your business plan, it’s important to explore various options available to you. You can choose to:

• Write it from scratch .
• Seek the assistance of a professional .
• Utilize a pre-designed template .
• Leverage business plan software .

Regardless of the option you choose, active participation is key, especially if you decide to enlist the help of a professional.

Your involvement ensures that the business plan reflects the distinctive nature of your art supply store and effectively communicates your management strategies.

Remember, a business plan is not set in stone. It can evolve and be optimized as you gain experience and insights.

Periodically reviewing the document and making necessary adjustments to both your plan and operations is advisable for continued success.

By creating a comprehensive and adaptable business plan, you lay a solid foundation for your art supply store’s growth and prosperity.

A Fictitious Sample Business Plan for an Art Supply Store.

Business Name: Creative Colors Art Supplies

I. Executive Summary:

Creative Colors Art Supplies aims to be the go-to source for artists in the community, offering a wide range of art supplies. We plan to serve professional artists, students, educators, and hobbyists alike with our inventory. We will also host art workshops and community events, providing a platform for artists to connect, learn, and grow.

II. Company Description:

Creative Colors Art Supplies is an upcoming art supply store based in Downtown USA. We strive to support local artists by offering high-quality materials and hosting community events.

III. Market Analysis:

Our target market includes professional artists, art students, educators, and hobbyists. According to our research, there’s a high demand for an art supply store that not only sells products but also fosters a creative community. We plan to fill this gap.

IV. Organization and Management:

The store will be managed by the owner, an experienced retailer, and an artist. A small team of knowledgeable employees will be hired to assist customers and manage day-to-day operations.

V. Services and Products:

We offer a wide range of art supplies, from basic craft items to professional-grade art tools. We will also host art workshops and community events. Our online store will cater to customers preferring to shop remotely.

VI. Marketing and Sales Strategy:

Our marketing strategy involves targeting local art schools, universities, studios, and art enthusiasts through social media, local publications, and collaborations. Our sales strategy focuses on providing excellent customer service and knowledgeable staff.

VII. Funding Request:

We are seeking $100,000 in funding to cover start-up costs, initial inventory purchase, store setup, and the first few months of operations.

VIII. Financial Projections:

Based on our analysis, we anticipate breaking even within the first two years. We project an annual growth rate of 15% after the first year, with a moderately profitable forecast.

IX. Exit Strategy:

Should the business need to close, we will liquidate all assets, pay off debts, and return the remaining funds to any investors.

X. Conclusion:

With a strategic location, knowledgeable staff, and commitment to community-building, Creative Colors Art Supplies aims to be a hub for local artists and a sustainable, profitable business.

For information on creating your business plan, see, How to Write a Business Plan.

10. Banking Considerations

Establishing Financial Infrastructure for Your Art Supply Store

When setting up the financial infrastructure for your art supply store, it’s important to consider the following steps:

Choosing a Business-Friendly Bank:

Consider selecting a nearby bank that specifically caters to business owners. This can provide you with tailored services and support that meet your unique needs as an entrepreneur.

Setting Up a Separate Business Account:

Maintaining a separate business account is crucial. It ensures a clear separation between your business expenses and personal spending.

Having distinct accounts, it becomes easier to track expenses, manage bookkeeping, and provide evidence in case of a tax audit.

Developing a Relationship with Your Banker:

Building a professional relationship with your banker is beneficial. They can provide valuable advice and financial services that align with your business requirements.

Additionally, they can assist in streamlining application processes for loans, credit facilities, and other financial needs.

Considering Merchant Account Services:

To accommodate various payment options, it is advisable to apply for a merchant account or utilize similar setups like Square, PayPal, or other payment processors.

These services allow you to accept credit and debit card payments from customers, offering convenience and enhancing the overall shopping experience.

By establishing a robust financial foundation and leveraging services provided by business-friendly banks and payment processors, you can effectively manage your art supply store’s finances and provide seamless payment options to your customers.

For more, see, How to Open a Business Bank Account. You may also want to look at, What Is a Merchant Account and How to Get One.

11. Getting the Funds for Your Operation

Obtaining Funding for Your Art Supply Store

Getting the necessary funds to start and operate your art supply store is a crucial step in turning your business vision into reality.

If you require a loan to kickstart your venture, consider the following tips:

• Explore Funding Options: There are various avenues to secure funds, including traditional lenders, private loans, investors, selling assets, or using collateral. Assess each option based on your specific needs and financial situation.
• Prepare a clear and concise business plan.
• Demonstrate your knowledge of the art supply industry.
• Highlight your experience and qualifications.
• Completed loan application form.
• Personal and business financial statements.
• Tax returns for the past few years.
• Bank statements.
• Business plan, including market analysis and financial projections.
• Proof of collateral, if applicable.

By carefully considering your funding options, preparing the necessary documents, and effectively communicating your business plan, you increase your chances of securing the funding needed to establish and operate your art supply store successfully.

See, Getting a Small Business Loan for more.

12. Software Setup

Software Considerations for Your Art Supply Store

When it comes to selecting software for your art supply store, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind:

Research and Implementation:

It’s essential to thoroughly research software options before making a decision.

It’s easier to implement a program from scratch than to switch to a new system after your data is already in another program.

 Take your time to explore different software solutions that align with your specific business needs.

Demo, Reviews, and Forums:

Look for software providers that offer demos or trial versions. This allows you to test the software firsthand and evaluate if it meets your requirements.

Additionally, check out reviews and forums to gather insights from other users’ experiences. Their feedback can provide valuable information to help you make an informed choice.

Expense Tracking and Tax Preparation:

Consider software options for tracking expenses and preparing financial documents for tax filing.

Consulting with your bookkeeper or accountant can provide valuable guidance in selecting the right accounting software that aligns with your specific needs.

Sample List of Software Used for an Art Supply Store:

• Point of Sale (POS) software
• Inventory management software
• Customer relationship management (CRM) software
• E-commerce platform or website builder
• Accounting software
• Expense tracking software
• Tax preparation software

By carefully considering your software options and selecting the appropriate tools for your art supply store, you can streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and effectively manage your business processes.

Check out Google’s latest search results for software packages for an art supply store.

13. Get The Right Business Insurance

Insurance Considerations for Your Art Supply Store

Securing the right insurance coverage is crucial to protect your art supply store and mitigate potential risks. When seeking insurance for your business, consider the following concerns:

Comprehensive Coverage:

Look for insurance policies that provide comprehensive coverage to protect various aspects of your art supply store, including customers, employees, yourself, anyone on the premises, and your property.

It’s important to assess your specific needs and ensure that your policy adequately covers potential risks.

Professional Liability Insurance:

Consider obtaining professional liability insurance to safeguard against potential lawsuits.

This type of coverage can protect you in case of claims arising from errors, negligence, or professional misconduct.

Home-Based Business Insurance:

If you plan to operate or manage your art supply store from your home, inform your home insurance agent.

This is important as it could impact your existing home insurance policy, and you may need additional coverage to protect your business assets.

Insurance Broker Guidance:

Engage a competent insurance broker to guide you through the process and ensure that you obtain sufficient coverage tailored to your specific business needs.

They can help identify potential risks, explain policy terms and conditions, and assist in finding the most suitable insurance options for your art supply store.

By addressing these concerns and obtaining appropriate insurance coverage, you can protect your art supply store, minimize potential liabilities, and gain peace of mind as you focus on running your business effectively.

For more, see What to Know About Business Insurance . You can also browse the latest Google search results for art supply store insurance .

14. Select Suppliers

Selecting Reliable Suppliers for Your Art Supply Store

Building strong relationships with your suppliers is vital for the success of your art supply store. When choosing suppliers, consider the following factors:

Reliability and Trustworthiness:

Having a reliable and trustworthy supplier is crucial. Look for suppliers who consistently deliver on time and maintain consistent product quality.

This reliability ensures that you always have the necessary stock to meet customer demands and run your business smoothly.

Competitive Pricing:

Working with suppliers who offer competitive prices is beneficial for your art supply store. It allows you to pass on savings to your customers, making your products more attractive.

This, in turn, can help increase your profit margin and attract a loyal customer base.

Product Exclusivity and Control:

Be aware that some suppliers may have a level of control over your business, especially if they are exclusive distributors of certain products.

This can impact your ability to source alternative suppliers or negotiate terms. Consider the implications and potential limitations of such arrangements when selecting suppliers.

Mutual Benefits:

Treating your suppliers respectfully and ensuring that they also benefit financially is important.

Maintaining a mutually beneficial relationship helps foster trust and improves collaboration.

It can lead to better service, preferential treatment, and access to new product offerings from your suppliers.

By selecting reliable suppliers and cultivating strong relationships with them, you can ensure a steady supply of high-quality art materials.

However, be mindful of any exclusivity arrangements that may influence your business operations. Striking the right balance will contribute to the success of your art supply store.

For More See, How To Choose a Supplier.

15. Physical Setup

The physical setup/layout of an art supply store is essential for creating a welcoming and functional space.

Consider factors such as aisle placement, product organization, and customer flow to ensure a seamless shopping experience that maximizes convenience and promotes easy navigation within the store.

Setting up proper signage is crucial for an art supply store.

In addition to installing a main business sign, it’s important to place signs in relevant locations, including parking lots, exits, and special areas.

Well-designed signs serve as helpful guides, directing customers and showcasing professionalism in your operation.

Office Setup:

An organized office is vital for effectively managing your art supply store.

As the majority of your time will be spent in the office handling various administrative tasks, ensuring it is fully equipped with the necessary tools and supplies is essential.

An efficient office setup promotes productivity, allowing you to manage your business operations effectively and efficiently.

See, Here are Considerations for The Setup of Your Office, for tips and ideas to make your office work for you. Also, have a look at our article About Company Signs.

16. Creating a Website

Having a website for your art supply store offers numerous benefits. It serves as a 24/7 online presence, allowing customers to browse and purchase products from anywhere.

A website expands your reach, increases visibility, and enables effective marketing strategies.

It enhances customer convenience, builds credibility, and opens opportunities for growth and sales expansion.

For more, see How to Build a Website for Your Business .

17. Create an External Support Team

Building an External Support Team for Your Art Supply Store

Creating an external support team of professionals is essential for your art supply store.

These individuals provide valuable advice and services, and it’s important to note that they are not on your payroll.

Consider the following aspects when assembling your support team:

Utilizing Services:

Ideally, you can engage their services on a per-use, contract, or hourly basis.

While you may already work with certain individuals, recognizing them as part of your team helps you appreciate their significance and consider adding more members.

Gradual Development:

It’s not necessary to have all team members in place before starting your business.

Building professional relationships and finding reliable individuals takes time.

Continually working on expanding and strengthening your team is important for long-term success.

Key Team Members:

Your support team may include professionals such as an accountant, lawyers, financial advisors, marketing specialists, technical advisors, and consultants.

Each member brings their expertise to assist you when needed.

By building a strong external support team, you gain access to valuable expertise and resources.

These professionals can provide guidance and support in various areas, contributing to the growth and success of your art supply store.

For more, see, Building a Team of Professional Advisors for Your Business.

18. Hiring Employees

Managing Human Resources for Your Art Supply Store

In the early stages of your art supply store, operating on your own without hiring employees can be a feasible option.

This helps minimize the significant expense of payroll, especially during the initial phase.

However, as your business starts to grow, managing and operating the store single-handedly may become overwhelming. At this point, hiring employees becomes crucial, as it can significantly enhance productivity when you bring the right individuals on board.

The following are job positions or outsourced services you may want to consider as your art supply store grows and becomes successful:

• Store Manager
• Sales Associates
• Customer Service Representatives
• Inventory Manager
• Warehouse Staff
• Graphic Designer (for marketing materials)
• Marketing Specialist
• E-commerce Specialist (for online sales)
• Bookkeeper or Accountant
• IT Support (for technical assistance)

Remember, as your art supply store expands and becomes more successful, carefully considering and filling these job positions or outsourcing services can help streamline operations and support continued growth.

For more, see, How and When to Hire a New Employee.

Points To Consider

Hours of operation:.

The hours of operation for an art supply store can vary based on factors like location, customer base, and market demand.

Consider weekday hours from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, extended hours on weekends from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and adjust based on peak hours and special events.

Market research helps identify the most suitable operating hours for your target customers.

A List of Equipment and Supplies to Consider for an Art Supply Store:

1. Point of Sale (POS) System: This includes cash registers, credit card machines, barcode scanners, receipt printers, and the necessary software to handle transactions and inventory management.

2. Display Shelves and Racks: These are necessary for displaying and organizing your products in a visually appealing and accessible manner.

3. Storage Units: You’ll need various storage solutions, like cabinets, bins, and boxes, to store extra inventory, office supplies, and more.

4. Shopping Carts and Baskets: These make it easier for customers to shop, especially if they’re buying several items.

5. Lighting: Adequate lighting is essential for product visibility and for creating a pleasant shopping environment.

6. Security System: This can include security cameras, alarm systems, and theft prevention devices like security tags and detectors.

7. Signage: Both exterior and interior signs are needed to direct customers around your store and promote products or sales.

8. Office Equipment: This includes computers, printers, filing cabinets, desks, and chairs for administrative tasks.

9. Art Easels: These are necessary if you plan on displaying art or hosting workshops or demonstrations in your store.

10. Cleaning Supplies: Essential for maintaining a clean, inviting store. This includes brooms, mops, cleaning agents, dustbins, etc.

11. Safety Equipment: Fire extinguishers, first-aid kits, and other safety equipment should be readily available in your store.

12. Decorative Elements: This includes elements like artwork, plants, rugs, etc., to create an attractive, inviting environment in your store.

Remember, the specific equipment you’ll need can vary depending on the size of your store, the products you carry, and the services you offer.

Marketing Considerations

Attracting Customers to Your Art Supply Store

For an art supply store to thrive, attracting customers is essential.

While it may be challenging at first due to being new and unfamiliar to people, building a good reputation over time makes it easier. Consider the following:

Reputation Building:

Focus on developing a strong reputation for your art supply store.

Provide quality products, excellent customer service, and foster positive relationships with customers. A good reputation will attract more customers and increase trust in your business.

Ongoing Marketing Efforts:

Marketing is an ongoing process. Continuously invest in effective marketing techniques to increase awareness and drive revenue.

While professional assistance is an option, you can simplify the process by considering it as an opportunity to bring awareness to your business whenever possible.

Maximizing Marketing Impact:

Explore various marketing strategies, such as social media promotion, targeted advertising, collaborations with local artists or art communities, hosting workshops or events, and utilizing email marketing.

Tailor your marketing efforts to reach your target audience effectively.

Remember, with time, experience, and consistent marketing efforts, you can attract customers and foster a thriving art supply store.

See our article How To Get Customers Through the Door and our marketing section for articles that will provide ideas to bring awareness to your art supply store.

Evaluating Your Skill Set for Running an Art Supply Store

It is crucial to focus on your skill set and assess whether you possess the necessary abilities to successfully run an art supply store. Recognize the importance of the following points:

• Self-Assessment: Evaluate your skills, knowledge, and experience related to business operations, customer service, inventory management, and marketing.
• Identifying Skill Gaps: Identify any areas where you may lack essential skills. Acknowledge that if a particular skill is missing, you have options to acquire it through learning or hiring someone with expertise in that area.

Essential Skills for an Art Supply Store Owner:

• Product Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of art supplies, materials, and trends.
• Customer Service: Ability to provide excellent service and cultivate positive customer relationships.
• Inventory Management: Proficiency in maintaining adequate stock levels and efficient inventory control.
• Business Management: Skills in financial management, budgeting, and strategic planning.
• Marketing and Promotion: Knowledge of marketing strategies and techniques to attract customers and increase sales.
• Creativity and Artistic Insight: Appreciation for art, design aesthetics, and the ability to curate a visually appealing store.
• Problem-Solving : Capacity to address challenges, make effective decisions, and find solutions.
• Communication: Strong communication skills to interact with customers, suppliers, and employees effectively.
• Organization: Ability to maintain an organized store layout and manage administrative tasks efficiently.
• Adaptability: Willingness to embrace change, adapt to market trends, and continuously learn and improve.

By recognizing and cultivating these essential skills, you enhance your capabilities as an art supply store owner, positioning yourself for success in the competitive market.

Valuable Resources for Your Art Supply Store

Discover a collection of resources that provide the latest and most popular information for your art supply store.

These resources are useful during startup and when your business is fully operational.

They offer industry insights and tips to enhance your business operations. Stay informed, improve your understanding of the industry, and find valuable guidance to drive the success of your art supply store.

Industry Trends and Statistics

Benefits of Monitoring Industry Trends and Statistics for Your Art Supply Store

Monitoring industry trends and statistics provides valuable insights for your art supply store.

It helps you stay updated on market demands, identify emerging trends, make informed business decisions, and maintain a competitive edge in the industry.

See the latest search results for trends and statistics related to the art supply industry.

Art Supply Associations

Advantages of Trade Associations for Your Art Supply Store

Trade associations offer several advantages, such as providing industry news updates, facilitating networking opportunities, and organizing events that bring industry professionals together.

These benefits help art supply store owners stay informed, build connections, and stay ahead in the competitive market.

See the search results related to art supply associations.

Top Art Supply Store

Gaining Insights from Established Art Supply Stores

Analyzing established art supply stores can provide valuable ideas and insights.

You can identify gaps in the industry that you can fill with unique offerings, or discover areas where your own business may have overlooked opportunities for improvement.

See the latest search results for the top art supply storees.

The Future of the Art Supply Industry

Benefits of Researching the Industry’s Future for Starting an Art Supply Store

Researching the future of the art supply industry offers valuable advantages for aspiring store owners.

It helps identify emerging trends, anticipate customer demands, adapt strategies, and make informed decisions to stay competitive and position the business for long-term success.

See the search results for the future of the art supply industry.

Art Supply Stores for Sale

Considering the Pros and Cons of Buying an Existing Art Supply Store

When it comes to purchasing an existing art supply store that is already operational, there are several pros and cons to consider:

Benefits of Buying an Established Art Supply Store:

• Immediate Revenue: You can start earning revenue from the day you take over, bypassing the startup phase and the time it takes to establish a new business.
• Proven Business Model: The fact that the business is already operating successfully indicates that the model works, providing you with confidence and a clear understanding of its operations.
• Existing Customer Base: By acquiring an established store, you gain an existing customer base, which can save you time and effort in building a customer network from scratch.
• Reputation and Goodwill: The business already has a built-in reputation, allowing you to benefit from the positive perception and loyalty that customers have developed.

Disadvantages of Buying an Existing Art Supply Store:

• Higher Cost: Purchasing an established business often comes with a higher price tag due to the value associated with the existing customer base and reputation.
• Resistance to Change: If you wish to make significant changes to the existing business, there is a risk of losing customers who may be resistant to these changes, presenting a challenge in maintaining customer loyalty.
• Inherited Reputation: When buying a business, you also inherit its reputation, which means both the positive and negative aspects are transferred to you.

Consider these pros and cons carefully to make an informed decision about whether buying an existing art supply store aligns with your goals and circumstances.

See the latest search results related to art supply – businesses for sale to browse the latest listings.

Art Supply Franchise Opportunities

Considering the Pros and Cons of Buying an Art Supply Franchise

When contemplating the option of purchasing an art supply franchise, it is essential to weigh the advantages and disadvantages before starting a business from scratch. Exploring these opportunities may also uncover aspects related to art supplies that you may not have previously considered.

Pros of Buying an Art Supply Franchise:

• Proven Business Model: You gain access to a well-established and proven business model, which provides a roadmap for success outlined by the corporate office. Following the established plan can increase your chances of running a successful art supply store.
• Benefit from Reputation and Marketing: By becoming a part of a franchise, you benefit from the existing reputation and marketing efforts of the franchise brand. This can help attract customers and create brand awareness more effectively.
• Comprehensive Knowledge: Before getting involved, you receive comprehensive information about the business, enabling you to make informed decisions. The franchisor provides valuable insights and guidance on various aspects of the operation.
• Corporate Support: As a franchisee, you have access to ongoing support from the corporate office. This support can include training, marketing assistance, operational guidance, and a network of fellow franchisees for collaboration.

Cons of Buying an Art Supply Franchise:

• Higher Cost: Purchasing a franchise typically involves a higher initial investment compared to starting a business from scratch, as you are paying for the established brand and support structure.
• Limited Autonomy: Major changes to the business often require approval from the corporate office. Franchisees must adhere to specific guidelines and restrictions outlined in the franchise agreement.
• Product and Service Limitations: Franchisees are limited to offering products and services that are approved by the franchisor. This can restrict your flexibility in diversifying your offerings.
• Ongoing Franchise Fees: Franchisees are typically required to pay ongoing fees, such as royalties or marketing fees, to the franchisor as a part of the franchise agreement.

Carefully consider these pros and cons to determine if buying an art supply franchise aligns with your goals, financial capabilities, and desired level of autonomy.

See the latest search results related to art supply franchise opportunities to browse the latest listings.

Knowledge Is Power if You Use It!

Harnessing the Power of Knowledge for Your Art Supply Store

Knowledge is a valuable asset when put into action. The internet provides a wealth of information about the art supply industry.

Explore the following sections for helpful links and resources that can aid you during the research, startup, and operational phases of your business.

Use this information to enhance your understanding, make informed decisions, and drive the success of your art supply store.

A Day in the Life

Utilize this information to enhance your understanding, make informed decisions, and drive the success of your art supply store.

See the search results related to a day in the life of art supply store owners.

Art Supply Store Owners Interviews

Gaining Insights from Interviews with Art Supply Business Owners

Interviews with business owners in the art supply industry provide crucial information and insights.

Spending time on this section offers a valuable opportunity to view the industry from different perspectives and gain valuable insights into what to expect as you embark on your own art supply store journey.

See the search results related to interviews of art supply store owners.

Publications

Staying Informed with Art Supply Publications

Publications serve as an excellent resource for staying updated with the latest information in the world of art supplies.

They provide valuable insights, trends, and news that can help you stay informed and make informed decisions for your business.

See the search results for publications related to art supplies.

Engaging in Art Supply Forums for Insightful Discussions

Participating in art supply forums offers an opportunity to join engaging discussions on hot topics.

Active involvement helps build industry relationships and gain an understanding of customer perspectives, providing invaluable insights for your art supply store.

See the latest search results related to art supply forums.

Art Supply Blogs

Harnessing the Benefits of Art Supply Blog Subscriptions

Subscribing to art supply blogs is a valuable way to gather ideas and stay updated with the industry.

By subscribing to multiple blogs and curating your collection, you can ensure a steady stream of valuable information that you can utilize for your art supply store.

Look at the latest search results for art supply blogs to follow.

Staying Current with Art Supply Industry News

The news is a reliable source for staying updated on the art supply industry.

Set up alerts to receive notifications whenever new developments are covered by the media, ensuring you stay informed about the latest happenings in the industry.

See what’s in the news related to an art supply store?

See the links to YouTube Videos Below.

• Videos related to starting an art supply store can be found here.

Privacy Overview

How to Start a Art Supply Store

An art supply store will sell a number of materials for art projects, installations, and exhibits. Some owners choose a specialty (e.g., sculpting, painting, etc.), while others will sell general items to all.

Learn how to start your own Art Supply Store and whether it is the right fit for you.

Ready to form your LLC? Check out the Top LLC Formation Services .

Start a art supply store by following these 10 steps:

• Plan your Art Supply Store
• Form your Art Supply Store into a Legal Entity
• Register your Art Supply Store for Taxes
• Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
• Set up Accounting for your Art Supply Store
• Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Art Supply Store
• Get Art Supply Store Insurance
• Define your Art Supply Store Brand
• Create your Art Supply Store Website
• Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your art supply store. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas .

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

What will you name your business?

• What are the startup and ongoing costs?
• Who is your target market?

How much can you charge customers?

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Art Supply Store Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship , you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name , we recommend researching your business name by checking:

• Your state's business records
• Federal and state trademark records
• Social media platforms
• Web domain availability .

It's very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

Want some help naming your art supply store?

Business name generator, what are the costs involved in opening a art supply store.

An art supply store will need to spend money on the following:

• Rent/mortgage
• Cost of materials
• Staff salaries
• Commercial insurance
• Registration/business permits
• Office equipment
• Marketing costs

What are the ongoing expenses for a art supply store?

An art supply store will need to account for the following expenses:

• Store maintenance/cleaning
• Marketing/website upkeep
• Restocking supplies

Who is the target market?

The target market can be anyone from professional artists to the general public. Most people will have some need for art supplies at some point during the year, whether they’re starting a project of their own or helping someone they love. Art supply stores may primarily market to one specific group, while reserving a smaller space of the store for different types of artists.

How does a art supply store make money?

Art supply store owners will charge a mark-up on their products based on customer demand and item availability. They may also charge people a fee to attend parties, activities, or networking meetings.

Art supplies can range in price from a few pennies to hundreds of dollars (or more) for a single item. Look up standard rates both online and in your area before you determine your profit margin for each item.

How much profit can a art supply store make?

Profits will largely depend on the types of items you sell. Common items, such as paints, pencils, and sketchbooks, may only net a small profit margin. However, more expensive items may sell at a 30% or higher margin. Owners may need to source their products from a variety of wholesalers to maximize their profits.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Consider offering classes or events that would be of interest to your customers. They can be professional events where new artists can show their work and meet more influential people in the art world. Or they can be fun nights where attendees drink wine and paint their own masterpiece.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC's free Small Business Startup Guide - a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship , partnership , limited liability company (LLC) , and corporation .

Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your art supply store is sued.

Form Your LLC

Read our Guide to Form Your Own LLC

Have a Professional Service Form your LLC for You

Two such reliable services:

You can form an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee.

Recommended: You will need to elect a registered agent for your LLC. LLC formation packages usually include a free year of registered agent services . You can choose to hire a registered agent or act as your own.

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It's really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website . If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil .

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

• Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
• Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

• Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business' expenses all in one place.
• Build your company's credit history , which can be useful to raise money later on.

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance . This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance . If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers' Compensation Coverage.

FInd out what types of insurance your Art Supply Store needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Art Supply Store.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you aren't feeling confident about designing your small business logo, then check out our Design Guides for Beginners , we'll give you helpful tips and advice for creating the best unique logo for your business.

Recommended : Get a logo using Truic's free logo Generator no email or sign up required, or use a Premium Logo Maker .

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator . Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a art supply store

Online promotion can be a good way for people to find you if you’re marketing to the everyday consumer. New advancements in marketing make it easy to tailor ads to customers, depending on what they search for. So, if a parent searches for school supplies, they'll see a different ad than someone searching for sculpture materials.

If you’re planning to market to professionals, you can also befriend gallery owners and informal community leaders in the area. Post flyers in public areas or hold Q&A sessions to understand how your store can better meet their needs.

How to keep customers coming back

Attracting customers starts with having the right products at the right prices. You can also attract customers by staffing your store with experts. It’s easy to find advice online about practically any art project, but a video is not the same as in-person guidance. Having the right staff can really encourage retention, as customers will come to rely on staff for everything from motivation to project insight.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business .

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

• All legitimate businesses have websites - full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
• Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
• Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended : Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders .

Other popular website builders are: WordPress , WIX , Weebly , Squarespace , and Shopify .

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2023 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it's fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

This business is best for those who want to inspire artists of all kinds by offering quality products and professional guidance. Owners should have a strong appreciation for fine art, but they should also be open to helping newcomers find their feet.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a art supply store?

The majority of the day will be spent dealing with customers, restocking supplies, and researching new inventory. If the store holds events, staff will need to devote time to negotiating contracts, setting up the store, and dismantling the materials. Owners will also need to budget time for marketing, financial planning, and staff scheduling.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful art supply store?

Owners will ideally have experience with both art and business. They should have enough of a presence in the art world to predict the types of supplies customers want, as well as a background in financial planning, marketing, and store display. Even if you choose to outsource these positions to different members of your staff, you’ll need to know enough to hire the right people and oversee their progress.

What is the growth potential for a art supply store?

The total global revenue for art supplies was close to $64 billion in 2017. However, brick-and-mortar art supply sales have suffered from the introduction of online operators and big-box stores. Owners may choose to offer online sales to grow their customer base, but they shouldn't give up on the promise of traditional retail. Physical locations give customers a chance to get answers to their questions, which can instantly increase their utility and popularity.

TRUiC's YouTube Channel

For fun informative videos about starting a business visit the TRUiC YouTube Channel or subscribe to view later.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor.

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a art supply store?

Art supply stores can be a pillar for a community, especially if owners can forge a connection with residents. Consider the neighborhood in which you want to open. Are people serious artists who want a place to buy professional supplies? Are they amateurs with a limited budget but a passion for creation? Or are they affluent professionals who purchase supplies for their children and not themselves? Once you know who you’re going to cater to, you can start finding ways to reach out to them. For example, maybe you gear the store towards professionals and hold monthly meetings for regular customers to come together and share ideas. Or maybe you confer with local schools to better understand the types of art projects they assign to students. If you can find a local university with a thriving art program, consider opening as close to the university as possible.

Before having a grand retail opening, consider offering stock online beforehand. Global art sales have climbed exponentially in recent years, suggesting you can find buyers in the farthest corners of the Earth. Experiment with what you offer and how you market it online. Gather feedback early on and adjust your stock (and goals) as you go.

How and when to build a team

Owners who plan to keep limited or by-appointment hours may be able to skip hiring a team until their customer base grows. However, if you’re planning to keep more conventional hours, you’ll need to hire a team immediately. If you're selling online, you may need to hire someone to keep track of orders, reviews, and questions. Make sure that those who work directly with customers are friendly and knowledgeable about a variety of art subjects.

Useful Links

Real world examples, have a question leave a comment.

Free Download

Art Supply Store and Gallery Business Plan Template

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Follow these tips to quickly develop a working business plan from this sample.

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We have over 550 sample business plan templates . So, make sure the plan is a close match, but don't get hung up on the details.

Your business is unique and will differ from any example or template you come across. So, use this example as a starting point and customize it to your needs.

2. Remember it's just an example

Our sample business plans are examples of what one business owner did. That doesn't make them perfect or require you to cram your business idea to fit the plan structure.

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To create a plan that fits your needs , you need to know what you intend to do with it.

Are you planning to use your plan to apply for a loan or pitch to investors? Then it's worth following the format from your chosen sample plan to ensure you cover all necessary information.

But, if you don't plan to share your plan with anyone outside of your business—you likely don't need everything.

More business planning resources

How to Write a Business Plan

How to Write a Business Plan for Investors

How to Start a Business With No Money

10 Qualities of a Good Business Plan

Business Plan Template

Simple Business Plan Outline

Industry Business Planning Guides

How to Create a Business Plan Presentation

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Artist Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Artist Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their artist businesses. We have the experience, resources, and knowledge to help you create a great business plan.

In this article, you will learn some background information on why business planning is important. Then, you will learn how to write an artist business plan step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What is an Artist Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your artist business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategies for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan for an Art Business

If you’re looking to start an artist business or grow your existing artist company, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your artist business to improve your chances of success. Your artist business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Artist Businesses

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for an artist business are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans, and angel investors. When it comes to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to ensure that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for artist companies.

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How to write a business plan for an artist business.

If you want to start an artist business or expand your current one, you need a business plan in the proper business plan format . The guide below details the necessary information for how to write each essential component of your artist business plan.

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your executive summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the kind of artist business you are running and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have an artist business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of artist businesses?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan.

• Give a brief overview of the artist industry.
• Discuss the type of artist business you are operating.
• Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers.
• Provide a snapshot of your marketing strategy. Identify the key members of your team.
• Offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Overview

In your company overview, you will detail the type of artist business you are operating.

For example, you might specialize in one of the following types of artist businesses:

• Antiques: This type of artist business may include the restoration, curation, and auction of antique furniture and other items.
• Art Consultant: This type of artist business involves helping clients find and select art pieces for their own collections.
• Tattoo Artist: Tattoos are a popular way for artists to earn money by tattooing permanent ink art onto their customers.
• Photography: Photographers may specialize in certain categories like wedding photography or nature photography.
• Graphic design: This type of business encompasses all kinds of design from creating logos and marketing materials for businesses to creating websites and designing products.
• Art teacher: This type of artist business involves art instruction and can include anything from teaching an elementary school art class to a recreational painting class, or an online art course.

In addition to explaining the type of artist business you will operate, the company overview needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to questions such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of clients served, the number of art pieces sold, reaching $X amount in revenue, etc.
• Your legal business Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry or market analysis, you need to provide an overview of the artist industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes. First, researching the artist industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating. Secondly, market research can improve your marketing strategy, particularly if your analysis identifies market trends. The third reason is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your artist business plan:

• How big is the artist industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential target market for your artist business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your artist business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: individuals, schools, families, and corporations.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of artist business you operate. Clearly, individuals would respond to different marketing promotions than corporations, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, including a discussion of the ages, genders, locations, and income levels of the potential customers you seek to serve.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can recognize and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other art businesses. Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t directly competing with your product or service. This may include other sources of art pieces, auctions, or resellers. You need to mention such competition as well.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their business and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What type of artist business are they?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you make it easier for your customers to engage with your product or service?
• Will you offer products or services that your competition doesn’t?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.  

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a artist business plan, your marketing strategy should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of artist company that you documented in your company overview. Then, detail the specific products or services you will be offering. For example, will you sell paintings or sculptures, consult on various art pieces, instruct a painting class, etc?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your plan, you are presenting the products and/or services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the site of your artist company. Document where your company is situated and mention how the site will impact your success. For example, is your artist business located in a busy retail district, a business district, a standalone office, or purely online? Discuss how your site might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your artist marketing plan is where you will document how you will drive potential customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertise in local papers, radio stations and/or magazines
• Reach out to websites
• Distribute flyers
• Engage in email marketing
• Advertise on social media platforms
• Improve the SEO (search engine optimization) on your website for targeted keywords

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your artist business, including answering calls, meeting with clients, billing and collecting payments, etc.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to book your Xth client, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your artist business to a new city.  

Management Team

To demonstrate your artist business’ potential to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally, you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing artist businesses. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act as mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing an artist business or successfully running a small curation business.  

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements.

Income Statement

An income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenue and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you meet with 5 clients per day, and will you charge by the hour for art consultation services? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets

Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your artist business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a lender writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement

Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and ensure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt.

When creating your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a artist business:

• Cost of equipment and office supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Other start-up expenses (if you’re a new business) like legal expenses, permits, computer software, and equipment

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your office location lease or a sample of your artist portfolio.  

Writing a business plan for your artist business is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the sample template above, by the time you are done, you will have an expert artist business plan; download it to PDF to show banks and investors. You will understand the artist industry, your competition, and your customers. You will develop a marketing strategy and will understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful artist business.  

Artist Business Plan Template FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my artist business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily write your artist business plan.

How Do You Start an Artist Business?

Starting an artist business is easy with these 14 steps:

• Choose the Name for Your Artist Business
• Create Your Artist Business Plan
• Choose the Legal Structure for Your Artist Business
• Secure Startup Funding for Your Artist Business (If Needed)
• Secure a Location for Your Business
• Register Your Artist Business with the IRS
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get a Business Credit Card
• Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
• Get Business Insurance for Your Artist Business
• Buy or Lease the Right Artist Business Equipment
• Develop Your Artist Business Marketing Materials
• Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Artist Business
• Open for Business

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10 Things to Know When Learning How to Start an Art Business

• Last Updated: April 11, 2024

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It’s hard to learn how to start an art business when you’re confused, scared, or both. Since I’ve been in your shoes before, I want to make the process a little easier so you can get selling.

I’ve been working as a commercial illustrator and designer for about a decade now and I have quite a few areas I stumbled through.

I’ll share some important starting points I wish I knew – or did more efficiently – when I started out.

The Key Elements to a Successful Art Career

Financial and social independence from a traditional nine-to-five, more creative fulfillment in your career, an additional source of income, selling original paintings, starting an online shop, becoming an active content creator, 3. a business plan will keep you focused, register with your local licensing department in the united states, register permits and/or licenses in canada, paypal is one of the most common payment methods, wise is a reliable international transfer system, stripe is a well-known online payment portal, start by understanding common contract clauses, try out a boilerplate contract or hire a contract lawyer, get a contract signing program or software, tax withholding is part of a successful business, consistent recordkeeping will be your savior, squarespace, hire a web designer, inbound marketing, outbound marketing – how to start an art business, word-of-mouth and networking, inventory management software, customer relationship management, accounting software – how to start an art business, starting an art business is hard, but far from impossible .

• Remind Yourself Why You Want to Start an Art Business
• It’s Vital to Narrow Down the Art Business You Want to Start
• A Business Plan Will Keep You Focused
• You’ll Need a Business License (Or Equivalent)
• Start Researching Different Payment Types
• Become Comfortable With Reading and Crafting Contracts
• Don’t Be Afraid of Tax Season (Trust Me, I Know)
• You’ll Need a Simple, Mobile-Friendly Website
• Most of Your Work Will Come Down to Marketing and Word-Of-Mouth
• Start Researching Tools to Make Running a Business Easier

1. Remind Yourself Why You Want to Start an Art Business

The why part of your art business is a non-negotiable element of success. When you’re struggling to make money or stand out in a sea of similar artists, the ‘why’ will keep you afloat during the ups and downs.

Around 18% of small businesses fail in their first year , while another 50% will fail after the first five years. One of the most common reasons for these statistics is running low on money or struggling to stand out amid similar businesses.

Below are a few common reasons why artists will start their own art business, but keep in mind this is just a starting point. Your reasons could be entirely different and that’s a-okay.

Are you sick of long commutes or creatively stifling traditional employment environments? Unsurprisingly, nearly 30% of people who started a small business did so because they wanted to be their boss .

Other benefits you’ll enjoy once you step out of the corporate world is:

• Setting your schedule – work when you want, how you want
• Charge your prices and get more control over your income
• Better work-life balance such as more sleep and more time off

The flip side to this is how much responsibility is on your shoulders. You have to commit to a regular marketing strategy, study your industry, and commit to your decision despite all odds.

Another common reason to consider being a professional artist is to enjoy your work. If you have more fun running social media accounts and painting all day long, that’s reason enough to make the switch.

Job dissatisfaction is at an all-time high lately, with one recent study finding 50% of people are unhappy with their jobs on a daily basis. Your artwork could be the launching pad for more peace of mind and financial stability.

However, there’s nothing wrong with choosing an art career for side income instead of main income. When you do art full-time, it can be difficult to take a break from client work to work on creative projects, which can lead to burnout if you’re not careful.

You’re not a lesser artist if you seek out an art business to make a bit more money. It’s never been easier to supplement your monthly income selling art prints or merchandise .

• Making crafts on Etsy such as knitted blankets or clay pots
• Selling original paintings
• Crafting custom figure sculptures
• Painting digital art to sell on crewneck sweatshirts and t-shirts
• Designing banners, icons, and templates for web designers

Now, you’ll likely have irregular income for the first year or two before you start building a reliable target audience. Even experienced artists can struggle to make consistent income from selling art online, so going in with reasonable expectations can soften the sting.

2. It’s Vital to Narrow Down the Art Business You Want to Start

Your own business will have unique demands (though there are commonalities to art businesses, too). Below are a few examples of different types of art businesses and what to expect.

If you’re a traditional painter who wants to sell paintings, you could work from your own home or be featured in exhibits with other artists .

Your art business would need to take into account:

• Studio space – do you have room to store all your paintings and supplies?
• Shipping costs – this will shave a percentage off what you make
• Potential tax – this percentage changes depending on where you live

Perhaps you’re more interested in selling prints and merchandise in an online shop like Redbubble , Etsy, or Printful .

Your challenges in running a successful art business would look more like the following:

• Potential sales tax – print-on-demand sites generally take care of this, but you should still be aware so you know how much you’ll make
• Managing an email marketing list – this is a very helpful marketing tool
• Using multiple marketing tools – you’ll also need to consider blogging, a social media account, or SEO to reach your audience

An increasingly popular choice for artists today is becoming a content creator – this can look like active content creation via a Patreon or a social media account like TikTok.

• Live streaming tools – lighting, camera, a mic
• Familiarity with social media platforms – posting schedules, culture, and terms of service

The function of a business plan is the guiding star to your business’s metaphorical ship. Just like your ‘why’ helps you keep going on an emotional level, a business plan will guide you to tried-and-true methods to financial success.

Here’s one example of using a business plan to cement your target audience and how you’ll maintain a competitive advantage.

4. You’ll Need a Business License (Or Equivalent)

A successful art business needs to stay legally viable and that often takes the form of a license. I renew my license every year with my state’s licensing department after filling out brief online paperwork.

However, this step varies from country to country, so I’ll use a few examples:

Since I live in the United States, each state usually requires a license through the state’s licensing department. The fee will vary and you usually only have to renew your license once per year.

Depending on where you live and what kind of business you’re starting, you may need a mixture of permits and licenses in Canada. Similar to the States, the price and frequency of renewal will depend on the business you’re running.

It’s easy to get intimidated when it comes to paperwork and legal documents, but just ask a representative for help. You can chat with someone over the phone, do a video call, or sit down in person with a professional who will answer all your questions.

5. Start Researching Different Payment Types

Once you’ve started applying for licenses and permits, you can start looking into payment types. There’s more flexibility than ever in getting paid these days, but below are a few more common methods.

PayPal is one of the most widely used online payment processors, particularly for artists. I depend on it for the majority of my income since it’s used by nearly everyone these days.

However, PayPal is a little brutal when it comes to fees – they do fixed fees ranging from 2.59% to 3.09% for merchant and personal accounts. While they don’t charge anything to transfer money from one PayPal account to the next, transferring from other bank accounts or payment processors will cost you.

Another useful transfer system is Wise, most commonly used by people who have clients in other countries. They also charge much lower fees than PayPal.

Wise requires you to submit the details of a separate bank account, including a checking account where they can instantly deposit cash. These details won’t be seen by clients, so there’s no worry about your private information being leaked.

Last but not least, Stripe is a flexible online payment portal that’s becoming more commonly used. They not only accept many currencies, but you can transfer money between many payment portals, too.

One of their biggest barriers is their limited in-person payment options. They’re more useful as an online tool for artists who do most – or all – of their business digitally .

6. Become Comfortable With Reading and Crafting Contracts

Contracts aren’t a fun part of your art career, but they’re an essential part of building client relationships and staying legally protected. Even a simple contract or NDA is a good starting point to make sure all parties know what’s being made, why, and with what usage rights.

Put simply, a clause is any section of a contract that outlines a duty, deadline or need. Some of the most common clauses you’ll see in artist contracts are:

• Deadline – when is the project due?
• Communication – how will the artist and client stay in touch?
• Materials – what does the client need to give the artist to do the job?
• Usage Rights – what is the client allowed to do with the art? What about the artist?

Hiring a contract lawyer is a stress-free way of getting all your legal ducks in a row. If you can’t afford one – they can cost between $20 to $200 an hour – you can start off with a boilerplate.

Boilerplate contract templates list several of the legal basics in one generic document. You can then customize it to suit the needs of your state license and personal demands.

Need a starting point? Try Law Depot for free legal documents, forms, and contracts for artists .

There are many ways to sign a contract, though digital means are easily the most convenient. You can use signing programs like eSign or sign .pdfs with Adobe Acrobat.

7. Don’t Be Afraid of Tax Season (Trust Me, I Know)

One of the biggest reasons why artists are hesitant to go the self-employed route is self-employed taxes. Below are a few details you should know about to start off right.

Every dollar you make in the art world isn’t yours. In the United States, you have to slice out a small chunk of your income to pay self-employed taxes – quarterly or through a customized interval.

Depending on where you live and the business you run, you may need to hold between 20% to 30% of your income for self-employed taxes. This is one of many reasons to learn how to price your art so you can make a tidy profit.

Don’t ‘wing it’ or keep sticky notes when it comes to personal finances. I keep a spreadsheet of every single dollar I make – before and after fees – and sum up the total every month so I stay accurate.

Many artists use recordkeeping software such as QuickBooks, which can automatically download bank information or print financial statements for loans.

8. You’ll Need a Simple, Mobile-Friendly Website

Did you know at least 52% of all web traffic comes from a mobile device like a phone or tablet? If your website doesn’t function or look good on mobile, you could be missing out on half of your potential customers.

Free and easy to use, Wix is one of the go-to choices for artists who need a polished art website. Their drag-and-drop technology makes it easy to organize fonts, images, and templates into the site you’ve always wanted.

While they have no free versions, they have a flexible trial you can add an extra week onto if you need more time to decide. Check out their pricing and features here .

There are several benefits to hiring a web designer that are not possible with free or pre-made templates. You’ll get a unique site layout and plenty of control over the little details, such as animations or layout.

However, web designers cost far more than a free web builder or monthly subscription.

9. Most of Your Work Will Come Down to Marketing and Word-Of-Mouth

People can’t hire you if they don’t even know about you. Even the most skilled professional artists will struggle to get work without the following marketing efforts.

Inbound marketing is a term that refers to people finding you, rather than you reaching out to people. If you’ve ever punched a question into Google to find a product, you already know how this works.

• Social media sites
• Online store

The opposite of inbound marketing is the more traditional outbound, where you reach out to your target customer to see if they’re interested.

• Sharing business cards
• Calling over the phone
• Sending out emails

These two words may be the bane of introverts, but they’re a must-have in the art industry. Whether you like to visit art fairs or want to sell products online, word-of-mouth and networking increase your chances of regular income.

Generating positive word-of-mouth can be done by simply being reliable and friendly. Networking can involve visiting art fairs or just talking to people on social media.

10. Start Researching Tools to Make Running a Business Easier

Don’t feel like you have to do it all. A few tools can be an absolute lifesaver with the stresses of starting a business.

If you’re thinking of starting an online business that involves packaging and sending out goods, inventory management software will save you a headache. This useful tool will improve accuracy, track packages, and create a better customer service experience overall.

SquareUp is one tool you can try, especially if you want to sell clothes, furniture, or tattoo designs.

When you need help keeping track of potential customers or reaching out to repeat customers, a contact management system will shoulder the work for you. Also known as a CRM, these programs keep track of emails and different types of customers such as prospects and leads.

A prospect is a person in your target market that may benefit from your business. A lead is a person who’s already shown interest in your work, such as contacting you or following you on social media.

HubSpot has a free CRM I use regularly (alongside very helpful online digital marketing courses).

As touched on above in the tax section, accounting software is useful for tracking taxes as well as budgeting. For example, FreshBooks has a freelancer variation you might find useful.

From narrowing down your target audience to learning how to start selling products, starting an art business is hard. I’m living proof that it’s far from impossible!

Want to continue expanding your education on your way to a successful career? Check out our top three alternatives to an art school education here .

Related posts:

• How to Write an Artist Contract: Learn To Protect Your Creative Rights
• 20 Art Business Ideas to Help You Make Money (and Enjoy It!)
• How to Sell Digital Art Online for Complete Beginners
• How to Make Money as an Artist: 12 Cool Ideas
• The Top 10 Best Print-on-Demand Sites for Artists

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How to Start an Art Business in 2024: Step-by-Step Guide

Free Startup Business Plan Template

10 Min Read

The art world is booming with a value of $67.4 billion and growing. Thanks to the internet, art lovers can easily buy and sell pieces across borders.

Even with this rapid growth, the US art market is relatively small and very competitive. To really stand out,  you’ll need careful planning, preparation, and most importantly, solid execution.

That’s where this article comes as your guiding star. In this guide, we’ve tried to explain how you can turn your passion into profits and launch your art venture in 10 simple steps.

10 Essential Steps to Start a Successful Art Business

• Prepare a Business Plan
• Choose a Profitable Niche
• Identify your Target Customer
• Develop a Positioning Strategy
• Figure out Product Pricing
• Identify Marketing & Promotion Channels
• Register your Art Business
• Business Licensing
• Get the Right Tools
• Prepare to Launch

1. Prepare a Business Plan

Every art business needs a simple plan. Think of it like a map for your own business to grow and succeed. You don’t have to write anything formal or share it with others if you don’t want to.

Your business plan helps you figure out how to start and grow your business. When making your plan, Include these things:

• Executive Summary
• Business Overview
• Products and Services
• Market Analysis
• Competitive Analysis
• Sales and Marketing
• Management Team
• Operations Plan
• Financial Plan

You can use a ready-made art business plan example or start jotting down your ideas. This plan is something you’ll keep adding to as your business grows. It’s not just for now; it’s also a guide for the future.

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2. Choose a Profitable Niche

Start by looking at what your business could be good at and what people want to buy. The perfect spot for your art practice is where these two things meet. To find this spot, ask yourself a few questions.

What kind of art do you love doing? Think about what you’re good at, what can make money, and what you enjoy.

What are people buying in these areas?

Look at what sold well last year in the areas you’re interested in. Check out what’s trending and see what types of art are selling the most. Find out how much people usually pay for these items or services.

List the best areas you can work in and how good they might be for business. Compare them and pick the one that’s just right for you.

3. Identify your Target Customer

Next, figure out who is most likely to buy your art. Knowing your target customer is a big deal in marketing because it helps you sell more effectively. Imagine the perfect person who would want and can afford your artwork. Understanding them lets you know how to get your art before them.

Think about these things to pinpoint your customers:

• Who can afford your art?
• Where do these people shop for art?

Your whole plan for selling your art depends on these answers. They guide where and how you’ll talk to potential buyers.

4. Develop a Positioning Strategy

As a fine art dealer, think about the role your brand plays in making your gallery unique among competitors for art collectors.

Good brand positioning can greatly benefit your business, rather than be a problem. Usually, people first think of branding in terms of visual things. This includes the logo, colors, and style. However, brand positioning shines through non-physical aspects.

These are things like service quality, reputation, how the public sees you, and the emotions you evoke. These aspects are sometimes overlooked by art galleries when they work on strengthening their brand.

5. Figure out Product Pricing

Pricing art can be challenging, but it’s critical to making a living as an artist. You don’t have to be a “starving artist” – smart pricing is part of a good business strategy. Here’s what to keep in mind:

First, cover your costs in your art’s price. This includes your time, materials, shipping, and framing if needed. Think about what your time is worth and what you need to earn per hour. For example, the average hourly rate for artists in the US is about $24.58 .

Second, choose a pricing formula that works for you—some artists price by size, others by time and material costs. Consider your skill and education level, but always make sure you’re making a profit after expenses.

Third, keep your prices consistent. This makes things fair for galleries and collectors and keeps everyone happy.

Lastly, offer art at different prices. Not everyone can afford a high-priced piece. Selling smaller, more affordable items means more people can buy your art, widening your customer base. Every sale, big or small, is essential!

6. Identify Marketing & Promotion Channels

Now you’ve got your business up and running, it’s crucial to plan your marketing strategy to showcase your art.

Focus on these key areas:

• Website: Your website is your digital storefront. It should host your portfolio, prices, contact details, online store, blog, and more.
• Social Media: Connect with potential buyers where they hang out. Use visually-rich platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok for art pieces, and Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter for service-focused promotions.
• Marketplaces: Tap into the vast audience on Etsy, Amazon, eBay, and Aliexpress. Pick the ones where your target customers shop.
• Offline Events: Attend local fairs, markets, and exhibitions to meet customers face-to-face and understand their preferences.

7. Register your Art Business

You’ve created your art and are ready to sell it. Now, it’s time to make your art business official. Here are some of your options:

Select a Business Entity

Starting your art business means picking the right business entity. Your choices include:

• Sole Proprietorship
• General Partnership
• Limited Liability Company (LLC)
• Limited Partnership
• Corporation.

Many artists opt for a sole proprietorship for their business. It’s simple to set up and suits the straightforward needs of a typical art studio.

Finding a Registered Agent

You’ll need a Registered Agent if you go for an LLC or a Corporation. This person or service handles your official paperwork and connects you with the government. They need to be in the same state as your business.

State Registration and Getting an EIN

Next, register your business in your state, which usually involves the Secretary of State’s office. Every state has different rules, so check what yours requires.

You’ll also need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. Think of this number as your business’s ID for tax purposes and when you open a business bank account.

Signing Up for Taxes

Finally, get ready to handle taxes. Register with your state and the IRS to take care of sales, income, and employment taxes if you hire anyone.

It might sound like a lot, but a Registered Agent can help you with all the paperwork and rules to ensure your art business is set up correctly.

8. Business Licensing and Insurance

To officially start your art business, you need to follow the local rules where you live.

It’s important to note that depending on your art business type, you may need to obtain special permits and licenses.

For instance, if you sell art related to cultural properties, you will require a special permit.

Art appraisers and conservators must obtain professional certifications to attract clients.

Additionally, applying for an EIN from the IRS is mandatory.

Why Insurance?

Just like any other venture, your art business comes with risks. So, it’s wise to have insurance for peace of mind and smooth sailing. Here are some insurances you might need:

• General Liability: Covers legal fees for accidents.
• Business Property: Keeps your workspace and tools safe.
• Equipment Breakdown: Fixes or replaces tools.
• Worker’s Compensation: For employee injuries and lost wages.
• Business Owner’s Policy (BOP): A package deal for various coverages.

Getting the right insurance set up means you’re ready to handle whatever comes your way, leaving you free to focus on creating and selling your art.

9. Get the Right Tools

Great art starts with great tools. Just like you need practice, you also need the right supplies for your art style. Here’s what you might need:

• Palette Knife
• Digital Tools like Graphic editors and drawing tablets.

Use good quality materials for your art. Choose professional-grade paints and canvases that last long and won’t fade fast. This means picking stuff meant to be kept for years, called archival materials.

Avoid using cheap paints and canvases from the dollar store. They might not last long and can make your art look bad as they fade or break down quickly.

If you want people to think of you as a professional artist, it’s worth spending more on better materials. This will help your art stay beautiful and give your buyers a good experience.

10. Prepare to Launch

As the day you open your business gets closer, check and improve important parts of your business.

Digital Tools

To manage your art collection effectively, explore specialized tools such as Artgalleria, Artwork Archive, or Artlogic. They’re designed to help you catalog your creations, track sales, and streamline your promotional activities.

On the financial side, consider intuitive accounting software like Quickbooks, Freshbooks, and Xero. They are especially beneficial for smaller enterprises, simplifying your financial management with user-friendly interfaces​.

Hiring People

If your business grows big enough, you might need to bring more people on board to help. You can look for people to hire without spending money by posting job ads on well-known websites like LinkedIn, Facebook, or Jobs.com.

If you want more options, you can pay to advertise on sites like Indeed, Glassdoor, or ZipRecruiter. And if you have the budget, you should hire a recruitment agency to help you find good people to work for you.

Make a Website

To really shine, your own website and social media should be top-notch. That means having a good web address and username, ensuring people can easily find and contact you, and showcasing your work with high-quality images.

A personal and clear “About” section goes a long way, too. All these things help shape your art brand—what people think when they see it.

Don’t worry if you’re not a tech whiz. Many sites offer simple, drag-and-drop templates to help you quickly set up a professional-looking art website.

Look after your Social Media

For social media, remember quality over quantity. It’s better to do a few platforms well than to be on every platform and not manage any effectively.

Pick the social media platforms your audience loves and focus on making meaningful posts there. This approach will help you build a strong, recognizable brand without spreading yourself too thin.

The Bottom Line

Ready to turn your art business dream into reality? It’s time to take the first step: writing a business plan.

Think of this plan as your roadmap for success. It helps you avoid missing important details and keeps you focused on your goals. We’ve even included a sample art business plan example to make things even easier!

The Quickest Way to turn a Business Idea into a Business Plan

Fill-in-the-blanks, AI-assistance, and automatic financials make it easy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to open an online art store.

The cost of opening your online art store depends on several things, like the website you pick and the tools you need. There are free website options with limited features, like Etsy.

But if you want more options and flexibility, there are paid platforms like Shopify or Squarespace, which typically cost less than $30 a month. On top of that, you’ll need to budget for marketing to reach customers, products, and shipping.

How can I decide how much to charge for my art?

Finding the right price for your artwork needs balancing three key factors: covering costs, reflecting value, and attracting buyers. Consider:

• Costs: Materials, studio, time (hourly rate or cost-plus).
• Value: Artist skill, originality, emotional impact.
• Market: Similar artists’ prices, target audience’s budget.

Experiment with pricing models like value-based, hourly, cost-plus, or fixed to find the sweet spot for your art and audience.

Are there grants or scholarships available for artists?

Yes, there are grants and scholarships available for artists in the USA. Some examples include:

• Sustainable Arts Foundation
• Creative Capital
• Right of Return Fellowship
• Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant
• 2022 Art + Technology Lab Grant
• S+T+ARTS Price 2022
• Harpo Foundation Grants for Visual Artists
• Artadia Awards

Should I start with a physical gallery or an online platform?

When choosing between a physical gallery and an online platform, think about these points:

Physical galleries give you a real-life experience. You get to see the art directly, feel the environment, and be there with the art. But, running a physical space costs a lot.

Online galleries are cheaper to start and keep going. They cut down costs, so you can make more money and charge artists less. Also, being online lets you reach people and sell art all over the world without needing more than one location.

What are effective marketing strategies for an art business?

To effectively market your art business, focus on increasing visibility where your target audience spends time. Here are key strategies:

Social Media Presence: Use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest to showcase your work. Regular posts, stories, and interactions can build a following and attract buyers.

Word of Mouth: Encourage friends, family, and customers to spread the word.

Exhibit Your Work: Participate in galleries, shows, or local events.

About the Author

Shyam Dua is a seasoned tax professional with 40+ years of experience & a mentor at SCORE. He stands out due to his exceptional business planning skills. With a keen eye for detail and a strong financial acumen, Shyam crafts compelling business plans that pave the way to success. A CPA with a philanthropic heart, Shyam's strategic expertise, and dedication make him an invaluable asset in shaping thriving business ventures. Read more

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How to Start a Profitable Art Supplies Store Business

Do you want to start an art supplies store? If yes, you are in the right place. Here in this article, you will find all the steps to follow to start an art supplies store business including costs, licenses, store setup, sourcing supplies, and more.

If you have a passion for art and creativity, starting an art supplies store can be an ideal venture. It is without saying, giving artists the resources they require to realize their ideas is a fulfilling way to give back to the artistic community.

Here are the 10 Steps to Start an Art Supply Store

1. market research.

Conduct thorough market research on the local art supplies market. It will help you to understand the local demand, competition, and customer preferences. Additionally, identify the target audience, such as professional artists, hobbyists, students, or art schools.

2. Select a Business Model 

Apart from only an art supplies store, you can establish an innovative art supplies lounge with a bigger establishment. Yes, this needs more investment and management capabilities to run the show smoothly.

An art supplies lounge includes art and craft supplies, a gallery, an education center, and sitting arrangements with coffee and snacks.

It is rather like an art creative community center where no artists are left behind. Providing this type of pleasant facility will definitely inspire and support amateurs, professionals, and crafty people in the art community. From this business platform, you can also facilitate art shows, competitions, and so many other community events.

Running and operating this store by art practicing professionals will give value addition.

Creating a shopping environment that needs artists by offering knowledgeable and professional service is the key area to getting success in this business. As you will be purchasing bulk materials, you will be gaining more profit margin also.

3. Write an Art Supplies Store Business Plan

Creating a detailed business plan is important even if it is a small retail store. Some of the essential components your business plan document must include are as follows:

• Initial and recurring costs
• Ptarget customers
• Pricing strategy
• How do you plan to sell your art items?

Furthermore, you will need to determine the store carpet area, stock of inventory, manpower, store establishment, and marketing strategy. Determining a niche is important for any type of retail business. Whether your stocks will be for students only or you will keep supplies for professional artists also. Calculate your startup budget.

You will need to arrange finance accordingly. If you are initiating the business by hiring a retail space, check the rent agreement carefully before signing.

4. License for Art Supplies Store

In starting art supplies store business, registering the business with authority is the first priority. According to the size and scale of the company, you will need to decide on the type of business structure. It can be a sole proprietorship, partnership, or LLC.

Read:   How to Start an LLC

Different states provide different types of licenses and permissions to retail stores. It is advisable to check with a small business consultant regarding this.

Choose a catchy artistic name for your business and protect it through Trade Mark Registration.

5. Calculate the Cost of Starting an Art Supply Store

The investment in starting an art store will include, space rent, stocks and inventories, license fees, manpower, and legal costs.

The cost of starting an art supply store on a small scale will cost in the range of $20,000 to $30,000 depending on the scale of operation. However, the profit margin is much higher compared to other businesses.

6. Select a Location & Store Layout

In establishing an art supplies store location is an important factor. It is advisable to select a strategic location with high foot traffic and proximity to art schools, studios, or creative communities. You can also consider a high-traffic shop-in-shop proposition also.

Design an inviting and organized store layout that showcases your products attractively. Create dedicated sections for different art mediums like painting, drawing, sculpting, etc. It makes good sense to focus your creative energies on what the signage and storefront look like. Make the store ambiance inviting and comfortable. This will keep your customers around as long as possible.

It is advised to consult with an interior professional in crafting the floor plan. Do remember, the storefront is the first thing the customer sees before entering your store.

7. Suppliers and Inventory Management

Purchasing the right inventory at the right price is one of the most crucial factors. Establish relationships with reliable art supplies wholesalers and manufacturers. Ensure a steady supply of quality products at competitive prices. In the initial phase, you can keep a mixed inventory with the popular brand and non-popular local brands.

You need to maintain a diverse inventory of art materials, including paints, brushes, canvases, sketchbooks, and other essentials. The inventories in your shop should extend far beyond general art supplies, catering to all types of creative outlets. In addition to specialized items such as crafting and printmaking supplies also.

8. Set up Business Accounting

It is extremely important to set up proper accounting processes for the smooth functioning of financial transactions and also to help you in filing taxes. Choose the proper accounting software that fits your need.

9. Art Supplies Store Staffing 

As I have discussed earlier, keeping an employee who has knowledge about art is a plus. It is essential at least they have flair ideas about the applications of the supplies. How employees relate to customers is an important factor in retail sales. The confidence to make eye contact and strike up a conversation with strangers is absolutely essential. Your employees should focus on providing excellent customer service and engaging with customers to build lasting relationships.

10. Promote Your Art Supplies Store

In this era of the internet, you can’t afford to lose online customers. Promote your business offline and online. Do some outdoor advertising activities and media publications. Publishing advertisements in art magazines is an effective one. Concentrate on in-shop branding also.

Create your own website . Create info-based content. Register with an online marketplace like amazon.com. Offering multiple varieties of products with a free shipping option will definitely help you in getting more sales revenue from your art supplies store.

Where Can You Buy Art Supplies Online?

You can buy art supplies online from various reputable websites that offer a wide range of products to cater to artists of all levels. Here are some popular online platforms where you can purchase art supplies:

Amazon is a well-known e-commerce platform that offers a vast selection of art materials, ranging from paints, brushes, canvases, sketchbooks, and more. You can find products from various brands and compare prices to get the best deals.

b) Dick Blick Art Materials

Dick Blick is a popular online art supply store that has been serving artists for many years. They offer an extensive range of art supplies, including high-quality paints, drawing materials, and other essentials.

c) Jerry’s Artarama

Jerry’s Artarama is another well-established online art supply store with a wide selection of products for artists. They often have special promotions and discounts for art materials.

d) Utrecht Art Supplies

Utrecht is known for its high-quality art supplies and offers a great online shopping experience. They have a wide array of art materials suitable for both beginners and professionals.

e) Michaels

Michaels is a renowned arts and crafts store with an extensive online presence. They offer a broad range of art supplies, home decor, and DIY materials.

f) Lionel Gallery

Lionel Gallery is an Indian-based online art supply store that offers a variety of art materials, including paints, brushes, drawing tools, and more.

g) Hobby Lobby

Hobby Lobby is another popular arts and crafts store that offers online shopping. They have a dedicated section for art supplies with a wide selection to choose from.

h) Jackson’s Art Supplies

Jackson’s is a UK-based online art supply store that ships internationally. They offer a diverse range of art materials and often provide discounts and deals.

i) Artist & Craftsman Supply

Artist & Craftsman Supply offers a wide range of art materials, including eco-friendly options. They have both physical stores and an online platform for purchasing art supplies.

j) Blick Art Materials

Blick Art Materials is a reputable art supply store with an extensive online presence. They offer a vast selection of art materials and provide resources for artists.

When purchasing art supplies online, it is essential to read customer reviews and check product descriptions to ensure you’re getting the right materials for your artistic needs. Additionally, be mindful of shipping costs and delivery times to plan your purchases accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a successful art supplies store.

A successful art supplies store offers a wide range of high-quality products, provides excellent customer service, and fosters a creative and inspiring environment.

How do I attract customers to my art supplies store?

Use social media marketing, collaborations with local artists, and in-store promotions to attract customers. Offer unique products and create a welcoming ambiance.

How can I stay updated with the latest art trends and products?

Attend art trade shows, read industry publications, and stay connected with art communities to stay updated with the latest trends and products.

Can I sell online in addition to a physical store?

Yes, having an online presence can significantly expand your reach and allow you to serve customers beyond your physical location.

Should I focus on specific art niches or offer a broad range of products?

This depends on your target audience and the competition in your area. Consider catering to specific niches while offering a diverse selection of products.

About the Author: 99businessideas.com led by Rupak Chakrabarty is committed to helping beginners, entrepreneurs, and small business owners in starting, managing, and growing their businesses.

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How to write a business plan for an art school?

Putting together a business plan for an art school can be daunting - especially if you're creating a business for the first time - but with this comprehensive guide, you'll have the necessary tools to do it confidently.

We will explore why writing one is so important in both starting up and growing an existing art school, as well as what should go into making an effective plan - from its structure to content - and what tools can be used to streamline the process and avoid errors.

Without further ado, let us begin!

In this guide:

Why write a business plan for an art school?

• What information is needed to create a business plan for an art school?
• How do I build a financial forecast for an art school?

The written part of an art school business plan

• What tool should I use to write my art school business plan?

Having a clear understanding of why you want to write a business plan for your art school will make it simpler for you to grasp the rationale behind its structure and content. So before delving into the plan's actual details, let's take a moment to remind ourselves of the primary reasons why you'd want to create an art school business plan.

To have a clear roadmap to grow the business

Small businesses rarely experience a constant and predictable environment. Economic cycles go up and down, while the business landscape is mutating constantly with new regulations, technologies, competitors, and consumer behaviours emerging when we least expect it.

In this dynamic context, it's essential to have a clear roadmap for your art school. Otherwise, you are navigating in the dark which is dangerous given that - as a business owner - your capital is at risk.

That's why crafting a well-thought-out business plan is crucial to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of your venture.

To create an effective business plan, you'll need to take a step-by-step approach. First, you'll have to assess your current position (if you're already in business), and then identify where you'd like your art school to be in the next three to five years.

Once you have a clear destination for your art school, you'll focus on three key areas:

• Resources: you'll determine the human, equipment, and capital resources needed to reach your goals successfully.
• Speed: you'll establish the optimal pace at which your business needs to grow if it is to meet its objectives within the desired timeframe.
• Risks: you'll identify and address potential risks you might encounter along the way.

By going through this process regularly, you'll be able to make informed decisions about resource allocation, paving the way for the long-term success of your business.

Need a convincing business plan?

The Business Plan Shop makes it easy to create a financial forecast to assess the potential profitability of your projects, and write a business plan that’ll wow investors.

To anticipate future cash flows

Regularly comparing your actual financial performance to the projections in the financial forecast of your art school's business plan gives you the ability to monitor your business's financial health and make necessary adjustments as needed.

This practice allows you to detect potential financial issues, such as unexpected cash shortfalls before they escalate into major problems. Giving you time to find additional financing or put in place corrective measures.

Additionally, it helps you identify growth opportunities, like excess cash flow that could be allocated to launch new products and services or expand into new markets.

Staying on track with these regular comparisons enables you to make well-informed decisions about the amount of financing your business might require, or the excess cash flow you can expect to generate from your main business activities.

To secure financing

Crafting a comprehensive business plan for your art school, whether you're starting up or already established, is paramount when you're seeking financing from banks or investors.

Given how fragile small businesses are, financiers will want to ensure that you have a clear roadmap in place as well as command and control of your future cash flows before entertaining the idea of funding you.

For banks, the information in your business plan will be used to assess your borrowing capacity - which is defined as the maximum amount of debt your business can afford alongside your ability to repay the loan. This evaluation helps them decide whether to extend credit to your business and under what terms (interest rate, duration, repayment options, collateral, etc.).

Similarly, investors will thoroughly review your plan to determine if their investment can yield an attractive return. They'll be looking for evidence that your art school has the potential for healthy growth, profitability, and consistent cash flow generation over time.

Now that you understand the importance of creating a business plan for your art school, let's delve into the necessary information needed to craft an effective plan.

Need inspiration for your business plan?

The Business Plan Shop has dozens of business plan templates that you can use to get a clear idea of what a complete business plan looks like.

Information needed to create a business plan for an art school

Drafting an art school business plan requires research so that you can project sales, investments and cost accurately in your financial forecast, and convince the reader that there is a viable commercial opportunity to be seized.

Below, we'll focus on three critical pieces of information you should gather before starting to write your plan.

Carrying out market research for an art school

As you consider writing your business plan for an art school, conducting market research becomes a vital step to ensure accurate and realistic financial projections.

Market research provides valuable insights into your target customer base, competitors, pricing strategies, and other key factors that can significantly impact the commercial success of your business.

Through this research, you may uncover trends that could influence your art school.

You may find that the market research reveals a trend towards more adult learners enrolling in art classes. Additionally, it could suggest that there is an increased interest in digital art classes, such as 3D modelling or animation.

Such market trends play a significant role in forecasting revenue, as they offer valuable data about potential customers' spending habits and preferences.

By incorporating these findings into your financial projections, you can present investors with more accurate information, helping them make informed decisions about investing in your art school.

Developing the sales and marketing plan for an art school

Budgeting sales and marketing expenses is essential before creating an art school business plan.

A comprehensive sales and marketing plan should provide an accurate projection of what actions need to be implemented to acquire and retain customers, how many people are needed to carry out these initiatives, and how much needs to be spent on promotions, advertising, and other aspects.

This helps ensure that the right amount of resources is allocated to these activities in order to hit the sales and growth objectives forecasted in your business plan.

The staffing and equipment needs of an art school

As you embark on starting or expanding your art school, having a clear plan for recruitment and capital expenditures (investment in equipment and real estate) is essential for ensuring your business's success.

Both the recruitment and investment plans must align with the timing and level of growth projected in your forecast, and they require appropriate funding.

A art school might incur staffing costs such as salaries for teachers, administrative staff, and custodial staff. They might also need to pay for equipment such as computers, desks, chairs, art supplies, and other materials. Additionally, the school might need to pay for facility upkeep such as electricity, water, and maintenance of the building and grounds.

To create a realistic financial forecast, you also need to consider other operating expenses associated with the day-to-day running of your business, such as insurance and bookkeeping.

With all the necessary information at hand, you are ready to begin crafting your business plan and developing your financial forecast.

Need a solid financial forecast?

The Business Plan Shop does the maths for you. Simply enter your revenues, costs and investments. Click save and our online tool builds a three-way forecast for you instantly.

What goes into your art school's financial forecast?

The financial forecast of your art school's business plan will enable you to assess the growth, profitability, funding requirements, and cash generation potential of your business in the coming years.

The four key outputs of a financial forecast for a art school are:

• The profit and loss (P&L) statement ,
• The projected balance sheet ,
• The cash flow forecast ,
• And the sources and uses table .

Let's look at each of these in a bit more detail.

The projected P&L statement

The projected P&L statement for an art school shows how much revenue and profit your business is expected to make in the future.

A healthy art school's P&L statement should show:

• Sales growing at (minimum) or above (better) inflation
• Stable (minimum) or expanding (better) profit margins
• A healthy level of net profitability

This will of course depend on the stage of your business: numbers for a startup will look different than for an established art school.

The projected balance sheet of your art school

Your art school's forecasted balance sheet enables the reader of your plan to assess your financial structure, working capital, and investment policy.

It is composed of three types of elements: assets, liabilities and equity:

• Assets: represent what the business owns and uses to produce cash flows. It includes resources such as cash, equipment, and accounts receivable (money owed by clients).
• Liabilities: represent funds advanced to the business by lenders and other creditors. It includes items such as accounts payable (money owed to suppliers), taxes due and loans.
• Equity: is the combination of what has been invested by the business owners and the cumulative profits and losses generated by the business to date (which are called retained earnings). Equity is a proxy for the value of the owner's stake in the business.

Your art school's balance sheet will usually be analyzed in conjunction with the other financial statements included in your forecast.

Two key points of focus will be:

• Your art school's liquidity: does your business have sufficient cash and short-term assets to pay what it owes over the next 12 months?
• And its solvency: does your business have the capacity to repay its debt over the medium-term?

The cash flow forecast

As we've seen earlier in this guide, monitoring future cash flows is the key to success and the only way of ensuring that your art school has enough cash to operate.

As you can expect showing future cash flows is the main role of the cash flow forecast in your art school business plan.

It is best practice to organise the cash flow statement by nature in order to show the cash impact of the following areas:

• Cash flow generated from operations: the operating cash flow shows how much cash is generated or consumed by the business's commercial activities
• Cash flow from investing activities: the investing cash flow shows how much cash is being invested in capital expenditure (equipment, real estate, etc.) either to maintain the business's equipment or to expand its capabilities
• Cash flow from financing activities: the financing cash flow shows how much cash is raised or distributed to financiers

Looking at the cash flow forecast helps you to make sure that your business has enough cash to keep running, and can help you anticipate potential cash shortfalls.

Your art school business plan will normally include both yearly and monthly cash flow forecasts so that the readers can view the impact of seasonality on your business cash position and generation.

The initial financing plan

The initial financing plan - also called a sources and uses table - is an important tool when starting an art school.

It shows where the money needed to set up the business will come from (sources) and how it will be allocated (uses).

Having this table helps understand what costs are involved in setting up the art school, how the risks are distributed between the shareholders and the lenders, and what will be the starting cash position (which needs to be sufficient to sustain operations until the business breaks even).

Now that the financial forecast of an art school business plan is understood, let's focus on what goes into the written part of the plan.

The written part of an art school business plan plays a key role: it lays out the plan of action you intend to execute to seize the commercial opportunity you've identified on the market and provides the context needed for the reader to decide if they believe your plan to be achievable and your financial forecast to be realistic.

The written part of an art school business plan is composed of 7 main sections:

• The executive summary
• The presentation of the company
• The products and services
• The market analysis
• The strategy
• The operations
• The financial plan

Let's go through the content of each section in more detail!

1. The executive summary

In your art school's business plan, the first section is the executive summary — a captivating overview of your plan that aims to pique the reader's interest and leave them eager to learn more about your business.

When crafting the executive summary, start with an introduction to your business, including its name, concept, location, how long it has been running, and what sets it apart. Briefly mention the products and services you plan to offer and your target customer profile.

Following that, provide an overview of the addressable market for your art school, current trends, and potential growth opportunities.

Next, include a summary of key financial figures like projected revenues, profits, and cash flows.

Finally, in the "ask" section, detail any funding requirements you may have.

2. The presentation of the company

As you build your art school business plan, the second section deserves attention as it delves into the structure and ownership, location, and management team of your company.

In the structure and ownership part, you'll provide valuable insights into the legal structure of the business, the identities of the owners, and their respective investments and ownership stakes. This level of transparency is vital, particularly if you're seeking financing, as it clarifies which legal entity will receive the funds and who holds the reins of the business.

Moving to the location part, you'll offer a comprehensive view of the company's premises and articulate why this specific location is strategic for the business, emphasizing factors like catchment area, accessibility, and nearby amenities.

When describing the location of your art school, you could emphasize the city's cultural offerings, such as its art galleries, music venues, and performing arts centers. You might also want to emphasize the city's commitment to the arts, with its many festivals, workshops, and classes. Additionally, you could mention the city's access to public transportation, its vibrant economy, and its diverse population. You may also want to emphasize the city's safety and stability, as well as its overall livability.

Lastly, you should introduce your esteemed management team. Provide a thorough explanation of each member's role, background, and extensive experience.

It's equally important to highlight any past successes the management team has achieved and underscore the duration they've been working together. This information will instil trust in potential lenders or investors, showcasing the strength and expertise of your leadership team and their ability to deliver the business plan.

3. The products and services section

The products and services section of your business plan should include a detailed description of what your company offers, who are the target customers, and what distribution channels are part of your go-to-market. 

For example, your art school might offer painting classes, drawing classes, and sculpture classes to its customers to help them hone their artistic skills. It might also offer portfolio reviews for those wishing to apply to art schools or pursue a professional career in the arts. Finally, it may offer workshops on topics like color theory and composition to help people understand the fundamentals of art-making. These offerings provide people with the tools they need to become successful artists.

4. The market analysis

When outlining your market analysis in the art school business plan, it's essential to include comprehensive details about customers' demographics and segmentation, target market, competition, barriers to entry, and relevant regulations.

The primary aim of this section is to give the reader an understanding of the market size and appeal while demonstrating your expertise in the industry.

To begin, delve into the demographics and segmentation subsection, providing an overview of the addressable market for your art school, key marketplace trends, and introducing various customer segments and their preferences in terms of purchasing habits and budgets.

Next, shift your focus to the target market subsection, where you can zoom in on the specific customer segments your art school targets. Explain how your products and services are tailored to meet the unique needs of these customers.

For example, your target market might include young professionals who have an interest in art and design. These individuals may want to pursue a creative career or to learn a new skill, and they have the financial resources to pursue art classes. Additionally, they may have a passion for art and have the time to spend on developing their artistic skills.

In the competition subsection, introduce your main competitors and explain what sets your art school apart from them.

Finally, round off your market analysis by providing an overview of the main regulations that apply to your art school.

5. The strategy section

When you write the strategy section of your art school business plan, remember to cover key elements such as your competitive edge, pricing strategy, sales & marketing plan, milestones, and risks and mitigants.

In the competitive edge subsection, elaborate on what makes your company stand out from competitors. This becomes especially important if you're a startup, aiming to carve a place for yourself amidst established players in the marketplace.

The pricing strategy subsection should demonstrate how you plan to maintain profitability while offering competitive prices to attract customers.

Outline your sales & marketing plan, detailing how you'll reach out to new customers and retain existing ones through loyalty programs or special offers.

For the milestones subsection, outline your company's achievements to date and your main objectives for the future, complete with specific dates to set clear expectations for progress.

Lastly, the risks and mitigants subsection should address the main risks that could affect your plan's execution. Explain the measures you've put in place to minimize these risks, assuring potential investors or lenders.

Your art school may face the risk of having a decrease in enrollment due to competition from other art schools or online art classes. This could lead to a decrease in tuition income for your school and a need to find alternative sources of funding. Your art school might also face the risk of having inadequate security measures in place to protect its buildings, equipment, and artwork. This could lead to a loss of valuable assets and a lower sense of safety for staff, faculty, and students.

6. The operations section

The operations of your art school must be presented in detail in your business plan.

The first thing you should cover in this section is your staffing team, the main roles, and the overall recruitment plan to support the growth expected in your business plan. You should also outline the qualifications and experience necessary to fulfil each role, and how you intend to recruit (using job boards, referrals, or headhunters).

You should then state the operating hours of your art school - so that the reader can check the adequacy of your staffing levels - and any plans for varying opening times during peak season. Additionally, the plan should include details on how you will handle customer queries outside of normal operating hours.

The next part of this section should focus on the key assets and IP required to operate your business. If you depend on any licenses or trademarks, physical structures (equipment or property) or lease agreements, these should all go in there.

You could have intellectual property such as unique teaching methods or curricula that are specific to the art school. This could be a valuable asset to the school and could be used to differentiate itself from other art schools. The school might also have physical assets such as a library with art books, sculptures, and other art-related materials. These could be used to enrich the learning experience of the students and to provide a unique resource to the school.

Finally, you should include a list of suppliers that you plan to work with and a breakdown of their services and main commercial terms (price, payment terms, contract duration, etc.). Investors are always keen to know if there is a particular reason why you have chosen to work with a specific supplier (higher-quality products or past relationships for example).

7. The presentation of the financial plan

The financial plan section is where we will include the financial forecast we discussed earlier in this guide.

Now that you have a clear idea of what goes into an art school business plan, let's look at some of the tools you can use to create yours efficiently.

What tool should I use to write my art school's business plan?

In this section, we will be reviewing the two main solutions for creating an art school business plan:

• Using specialized online business plan software,
• Outsourcing the plan to the business plan writer.

Using an online business plan software for your art school's business plan

The modern and most efficient way to write an art school business plan is to use business plan software .

There are several advantages to using specialized software:

• You can easily create your financial forecast by letting the software take care of the financial calculations for you without errors
• You are guided through the writing process by detailed instructions and examples for each part of the plan
• You can access a library of dozens of complete business plan samples and templates for inspiration
• You get a professional business plan, formatted and ready to be sent to your bank or investors
• You can easily track your actual financial performance against your financial forecast
• You can create scenarios to stress test your forecast's main assumptions
• You can easily update your forecast as time goes by to maintain visibility on future cash flows
• You have a friendly support team on standby to assist you when you are stuck

If you're interested in using this type of solution, you can try The Business Plan Shop for free by signing up here .

Hiring a business plan writer to write your art school's business plan

Outsourcing your art school business plan to a business plan writer can also be a viable option.

These writers possess valuable experience in crafting business plans and creating accurate financial forecasts. Additionally, enlisting their services can save you precious time, enabling you to concentrate on the day-to-day operations of your business.

It's important to be mindful, though, that hiring business plan writers comes with a cost. You'll be paying not just for their time but also for the software they use, and their profit margin.

Based on experience, a complete business plan usually requires a budget of at least £1.5k ($2.0k) excluding tax, and more if revisions are needed after initial meetings with lenders or investors - changes often arise following these discussions.

When seeking investment, be cautious about spending too much on consulting fees. Investors prefer their funds to contribute directly to business growth. Thus, the amount you spend on business plan writing services and other consulting services should be negligible compared to the amount you raise.

Another aspect to consider is that while you'll receive the output of the business plan, you usually won't own the actual document. It will be saved in the consultant's business plan software, which will make updating the plan challenging without retaining the consultant on a retainer.

Given these factors, it's essential to carefully weigh the pros and cons of outsourcing your art school business plan to a business plan writer and decide what best suits your business's unique needs.

Why not create your art school's business plan using Word or Excel?

Using Microsoft Excel and Word (or their Google, Apple, or open-source equivalents) to write an art school business plan is a terrible idea.

For starters, creating an accurate and error-free financial forecast on Excel (or any spreadsheet) is very technical and requires both a strong grasp of accounting principles and solid skills in financial modelling.

As a result, it is unlikely anyone will trust your numbers unless - like us at The Business Plan Shop - you hold a degree in finance and accounting and have significant financial modelling experience in your past.

The second reason is that it is inefficient. Building forecasts on spreadsheets was the only option in the 1990s and early 2000s, nowadays technology has advanced and software can do it much faster and much more accurately.

And with the rise of AI, software is also becoming smarter at helping us detect mistakes in our forecasts and helping us analyse the numbers to make better decisions.

Also, using software makes it easy to compare actuals vs. forecasts and maintain our forecasts up to date to maintain visibility on future cash flows - as we discussed earlier in this guide - whereas this is a pain to do with a spreadsheet.

That's for the forecast, but what about the written part of my art school business plan?

This part is less error-prone, but here also software brings tremendous gains in productivity:

• Word processors don't include instructions and examples for each part of your business plan
• Word processors don't update your numbers automatically when they change in your forecast
• Word processors don't handle the formatting for you

Overall, while Word or Excel may be viable options for creating an art school business plan for some entrepreneurs, it is by far not the best or most efficient solution.

• Using business plan software is a modern and cost-effective way of writing and maintaining business plans.
• A business plan is not a one-shot exercise as maintaining it current is the only way to keep visibility on your future cash flows.
• A business plan has 2 main parts: a financial forecast outlining the funding requirements of your art school and the expected growth, profits and cash flows for the next 3 to 5 years; and a written part which gives the reader the information needed to decide if they believe the forecast is achievable.

We hope that this in-depth guide met your expectations and that you now have a clear understanding of how to write your art school business plan. Do not hesitate to contact our friendly team if you have questions additional questions we haven't addressed here.

Also on The Business Plan Shop

• How to write a business plan to secure a bank loan?
• Key steps to write a business plan?
• Top mistakes to avoid in your business plan

Do you know entrepreneurs interested in starting or growing an art school? Share this article with them!

Founder & CEO at The Business Plan Shop Ltd

Guillaume Le Brouster is a seasoned entrepreneur and financier.

Guillaume has been an entrepreneur for more than a decade and has first-hand experience of starting, running, and growing a successful business.

Prior to being a business owner, Guillaume worked in investment banking and private equity, where he spent most of his time creating complex financial forecasts, writing business plans, and analysing financial statements to make financing and investment decisions.

Guillaume holds a Master's Degree in Finance from ESCP Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Business & Management from Paris Dauphine University.

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Clothing store Express, a mall favorite, has filed for bankruptcy

Alina Selyukh

An Express store promotes deep sales in Valley West Mall in Iowa, in January 2020. Andrew Harnik/AP hide caption

An Express store promotes deep sales in Valley West Mall in Iowa, in January 2020.

Clothing store Express, a longtime mainstay of American malls, has filed for bankruptcy protection, closing dozens of stores but also eyeing a survival plan that involves getting sold.

At its peak, Express outfitted generations of mall shoppers in slacks and blouses, and even acquired brands Bonobos and UpWest.

But the chain has been losing both shoppers and money, as many malls withered and people changed how they dress for work: less formal, more casual, less cookie-cutter, more attitude. Express — neither high-end, nor cheap — got left behind, dragged down further by rent and debt.

Monday's bankruptcy announcement says the chain will close 95 Express stores, or just under a fifth of them, and all 10 UpWest stores. Last month, the New York Stock Exchange delisted the retailer because of its languishing stock value.

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Now, Express has received a bid to be acquired by a consortium. It includes brand-management firm WHP Global and major mall operators Simon Property Group and Brookfield Properties. The companies in recent years have been investing in more retail brands in need of a resuscitation .

New Express CEO Stewart Glendinning acknowledged "missteps" in clothing selection, "most notably in women's, where we were out of balance across categories, price points and wearing occasions," he told investors in November, adding: "We believe strongly there's a path to total company improvement."

In its bankruptcy filing, Express said it's also receiving an infusion of $35 million in new financing from some of its lenders, plus another $49 million from the Internal Revenue Service related to the CARES Act , the federal coronavirus relief package.

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Moscow-City – The Moscow International Business Center

• 3 years ago

Moscow-City is an iconic location for life and work in Russia’s capital. Enormous skyscrapers, business centers, the best restaurants and retail spaces – all this is concentrated in one place. The ultramodern Moscow-City towers are truly striking in their outward appearance, and the layout of the apartments inside and the fantastic views that can be seen from the higher floors are nothing short of impressive.

This skyscraper compound, often referred to as Moskva-City, is the Russian take on Manhattan, where businessmen strike multi-million dollar deals daily while ordinary life goes on next door. Its state of the art spaces offer the ultimate convenience. The infrastructure of this business district is so well-developed that anyone can find something interesting for themselves here: from residential apartments to boutiques, clubs, exhibitions and more.

When the foundations for the Moscow-City skyscrapers were laid, a special kind of concrete was used, the properties of which are amplified by many times compared to standard concrete. Even in the event of a plane crashing into one of the buildings, the structural integrity of the towers will be preserved.

The architects of the Moscow-City Business Center have created a unique locality that has integrated into itself the hub of the capital’s business life and a whole ensemble of historical monuments. Anyone can admire the beauty of these skyscrapers from within or without the compound. There are also a number of apartments for sale or rent available in the MIBC itself. But first, let’s have a look at some more interesting facts about the financial core of Russia’s capital.

• 1 How It All Began
• 2.1 Moscow-City Central Core
• 2.2 Tower 2000
• 2.3 Evolution Tower
• 2.4 Imperia Tower
• 2.5 Moscow Tower and St. Petersburg Tower
• 2.6 Steel Peak Tower
• 2.7 Federation Tower
• 2.8 Mercury City Tower
• 2.9 OKO Tower Complex
• 3.1 Afimall City Shopping Center
• 3.2 Bagration Bridge
• 3.3 Expocentre Fairgrounds
• 4 Renting and Buying Real Estate in Moscow-City

How It All Began

The history of Moscow-City goes all the way back to 1992. The government of Moscow at the time wanted to bring into existence its own skyscrapers like the ones in London or New York. And the idea caught on. In 1992 the project for the construction of the huge “Moscow-City” MIBC compound was enthusiastically approved, kick-starting the painstaking preparatory works. The original intention was that the skyscrapers would only house office space. However, as time went on, the towers began to welcome in ordinary residents who wanted to live on the territory of this business and finance hub.

Moscow-City is undoubtedly a city within a city. Its grandeur is mind-boggling. It is perfect in every way: from location to infrastructure. And today, anyone can get a feel of the atmosphere of the “capital city” of Russia’s business world – many of the apartments in Moscow-City are available for rent. Any citizen of Russia and even nationals of other countries can make use of these offers.

What It’s Like in 2021

Today Moscow-City is not just a magnificent and fascinating sight, but also a real hub for the work, life and leisure of thousands. Its infrastructure is organized in such a way that there is no need to leave the territory of the “city within a city” at all. This business district contains everything one may need for work and recreation. And if one does decide to venture out into the larger metropolis, the MIBC’s three subway stations make this remarkably simple to do.

Moscow-City stands on the Presnenskaya Embankment . Each of the buildings in the district has a name, which simplifies its identification. Some of the buildings form complexes that are united under one name, such as the Neva Towers and the Naberezhnaya Tower complex of two skyscrapers and one high rise. There are a total of 16 towers in the MIBC, of which the most popular are:

• Moscow-City Central Core;
• Tower 2000;
• Evolution Tower;
• Imperia Tower;
• City of Capitals (Moscow Tower and St. Petersburg Tower);
• Steel Peak Tower;
• Federation Tower;
• Mercury City Tower;
• OKO Tower Complex.

Moscow-City Central Core

This is the most complex building within the MIBC compound. Its total floor area is a whopping 1 476 378 sqft (450 000 m²). It consists of two massive parts, each of which boasts a truly impressive infrastructure. The underground part includes 3 Moscow Metro stations, a parking lot for automobiles and a shopping mall. The aboveground part houses a concert hall and a hotel.

Tower 2000 is a skyscraper having 34 stories. Its total floor area is 200 318 sqft (61 057 m²), most of which is office space. The key feature of this skyscraper is its direct connection to the Bagration Bridge, which has its own shopping arcade. The tower has everything one may need while working here, including a large parking lot and several restaurants.

Evolution Tower

This elegant structure is 836 feet (255 m) high – that’s a whole 54 stories! The total floor area here is 554 462 sqft (169 000 m²). The Evolution Tower’s key feature is that it has its own Wedding Hall. This skyscraper houses large office spaces, a parking lot and several restaurants.

Imperia Tower

MIBC’s Imperia Tower is the undeniable focal point of the MIBC’s business life. Its height is 784 feet (239 m), which means one can hold conferences and resolve key business matters on the 59 th floor! And that really is amazing! The tower has everything: offices, hotels, restaurants and parking lots. But if you want a truly unforgettable experience, visit the viewing platform! It is situated on the 58 th floor and a simply astounding view of Moscow can be seen from it.

Moscow Tower and St. Petersburg Tower

The Moscow and St. Petersburg Towers are the chief representatives of the MIBC. The Moscow Tower has 76 stories and is 990 feet (302 m) high, while the St. Petersburg Tower has 65 stories and stands 843 feet (257 m) tall. Both towers offer fantastic views of the capital city.

Most of the floors of these two skyscrapers are taken up by luxurious sky apartments. There are also several recreational and entertainment centers, office spaces, restaurants, etc.

Steel Peak Tower

Also known as the Eurasia Tower of Moscow-City, this supertall skyscraper has a total of 680 912 sqft (207 542 m²) of floor space. Most of this is taken up by offices, and the rest – by residential quarters (around 65 616 sqft or 20 000 m²). The tower also houses a number of the greatest restaurants, studios and shopping centers.

Federation Tower

The Federation Tower is a complex of two skyscrapers, known as Tower East and Tower West. Tower East is the second highest building in Europe (the first is a skyscraper recently erected in the city of St. Petersburg). Its height is a colossal 1 223 feet (373 m) and that makes 95 stories! Tower West, on the other hand, is noticeably shorter at 794 feet (242 m).

The Federation Tower is a multifunctional complex.

Mercury City Tower

The Mercury City Tower skyscraper is widely known as one of the tallest buildings in Europe. Its height is 1 112 feet (339 m) and it has 75 stories. It is multifunctional by concept, holding within its walls shopping centers, offices and all kinds of other spaces. It is also possible to rent apartments here.

OKO Tower Complex

The OKO Tower Complex consists of two towers – the North Tower (49 stories and 803 ft or 245 m in height) and the South Tower (85 stories and 1 155 ft or 352 m in height).

Each of the MIBC’s tower complexes has its own recreational and entertainment areas, restaurants and parking lots. The top floors of most of these buildings contain luxurious fully-furnished apartments. At night, the towers shine with bright lights, while inside them the panoramic windows reveal astounding views of Moscow. This breathtaking view of the capital of Russia is why visiting Moscow-City is a must!

What Not to Miss

There are many interesting landmarks within the Moscow-City compound, but three of them are truly deserving of special attention:

• The Afimall City Shopping Center;
• The Bagration Bridge with two galleries and a shopping arcade;
• The Expocentre Fairgrounds.

Afimall City Shopping Center

The Afimall City Shopping and Entertainment Center is located in Moscow-City’s Central Core. It is divided into 4 zones, each with its own theme – one for every season of the year. The shopping center houses the biggest indoor fountain found worldwide. The height of this watery wonder is 118 feet or 36 meters.

The shopping and entertainment center contains everything one might expect from one of the largest centers of its kind:

• Retail brand stores;
• Exhibitions;
• Game rooms;
• and Restaurants.

The main recreational space is roofed with a giant transparent dome, which is an impressive sight to behold.

Bagration Bridge

Bagration Bridge with its upper and lower galleries has a shopping center all of its own and was the first structure to be built as part of the Moscow-City business district. Its lower gallery is a shopping arcade and its upper gallery is an open-air viewing platform with a spectacular view of the MIBC and the Moskva River. The hall of the bridge houses the 23 foot tall sculpture called “Tree of Life”. Having gone through the bridge via either one of its two galleries, a pedestrian would find themselves standing right on the Kutuzovsky Prospekt.

Expocentre Fairgrounds

The Expocentre Fairgrounds exhibition venue is located at the very heart of the capital. The first exhibition held at the Expocentre happened all the way back in 1959, much earlier than the MIBC was erected. Today it is the venue of many interesting events.

Exhibitions with very diverse themes are regularly held at this complex. An up-to-date schedule can be found on the official webpage of the Expocentre. The events can be free or fixed-price entry, depending on their type.

Renting and Buying Real Estate in Moscow-City

Moscow-City is not only a work and business hub, but also a residential neighborhood. Any citizen of Russia can rent or buy apartments or elite sky lounges here. The variety of residential real estate available inside the skyscrapers is impressive, including options for any pocket. The following buildings in the MIBC contain residential blocks:

This skyscraper has a mirror glass façade which reflects the passing clouds. Just imagine how beautiful that looks! Anyone can buy an apartment in the Federation Tower. Such properties are not only a good investment, but also a mark of prestige. The average price of residential real estate here is 45 million rubles for an apartment with a total floor area of 334 sqft (102 m²). The average price of a square meter (3.28 square feet) is in the range of 650 to 700 thousand rubles. There are two- and three-room apartments available in the Federation Tower, each with its own loggia. As for rent, the minimum price of one month’s stay in a three-room apartment in this skyscraper is 300 000 rubles per month.

The Mercury City Tower skyscraper welcomes citizens from all parts of Russia. This building is no less tall than the world-famous Dubai skyscrapers. Living in its apartments is a delight. The minimum cost of an apartment in the Mercury City Tower is 75 million rubles. The average price of a square meter (3.28 square feet) is 800 thousand rubles. And for those looking for a lower price point, some of the properties are also available for rent – in this case you will pay a minimum of 250 thousand rubles per month.

The Imperia Tower is a key cluster of interesting offers. The best options for buying and renting apartments within the MIBC can all be found in this skyscraper. The lowest price of a residential apartment here is 40 million rubles. A square meter (3.28 square feet) in a luxurious apartment in the Imperia Tower currently costs 600 thousand rubles, while the price range of the listings available for rent in this skyscraper is from 350 thousand all the way up to 1 million rubles per month.

This complex, standing on a faceted or “crystal” base, is an architectural engineering project boasting spectacular design. Behind its impressive façades is an abundance of penthouses and apartments having floor areas in the range of 262 sqft (80 m²) to 984 sqft (300 m²). The minimum price of an apartment in the OKO Tower Complex is 40 million rubles (the price of a square meter (3.28 square feet) is 500 thousand rubles). You can rent an apartment here starting from 400 thousand rubles per month.

City of Capitals

The City of Capitals is an exemplary architectural complex. Its sum appearance gives the impression of a huge city. Inside its walls are spacious apartments available for purchase and rent. This complex is considered to be especially prestigious. The prices of apartments here start from 50 million rubles, while the minimum cost of renting is 400 thousand rubles per month.

Please note! The price of real estate available for purchase or rent depends on: the tower, the floor, the total floor area, the furnishings and/or interior design, and other factors.

The key advantages of buying/purchasing real estate in Moscow-City are:

• Favorable location;
• Convenient transportation links;
• Well-developed infrastructure;
• High safety level;
• Efficient architecture;
• Panoramic windows.

Buying real estate in Moscow-City is very much a rational decision, most appealing to those who value the ultimate level of comfort. The residential apartments here boast impressive interior design solutions executed in the contemporary style.

Related posts

Property tax in russia, the best international schools in moscow.

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Art in Moscow: Museums, Galleries and Museum-Reserves

There is no strict dress code in Moscow museums. However, if you are going to explore ancient churches and holy places we recommend more conservative outwear. Women should have their heads covered.

All state museums and galleries are free every third Sunday of the month. Some of the Moscow museums are free on holidays, and during the «Museum days» and «Museum Night».

If you’re looking for great cultural tours around art points of Moscow, we have a great MOSCOW ART & DESIGN TOUR , available for you everyday except Mondays.

Moscow Museums

The Moscow Kremlin

Don’t miss a chance to see the very heart of Moscow, the Kremlin, the symbol of the Russian State, one of the greatest architectural ensembles in the world, a treasury of unusual relics and monuments of art. It is situated on a high Borovitskiy hill above the Moskva River, so you’ll be able to see a spectacular view of the city center. The famous Armory Chamber and the Diamond Fund are real treasure-houses, where you can see ancient Russian regalia, ceremonial tsar’s dress, church hierarchs’ vestments, arms, gold and silverware by Russian, European and Eastern masters. The Kremlin is the official President’s residence and remains a gorgeous political landmark. The UNESCO has included the ensemble of the Moscow Kremlin in the World Heritage List.

Site: http://www.kreml.ru/

The State Historical Museum

Ivan Zabelin, Aleksey Uvarov, and several other Slavophiles founded the State Historical Museum in 1872 to promote Russian history and national self-awareness. During its century-long history, the museum has collected more than 4.5 million of valuable items and over 12 million pages of documental archives. Its exhibitions range from relics of prehistoric tribes that lived in the territory of present-day Russia, through priceless artworks acquired by members of the Romanov dynasty. The museum’s historical building which was reconstructed and equipped to meet all the visitors requirements is on the Red Square.

Site: http://www.shm.ru/

The State Tretyakov Gallery

The State Tretyakov Gallery takes a special place among the national art museums of the world. Established with the efforts of one person, the dedicated collector Pavel Tretyakov, it possesses a unique collection of Russian art, more than 150000 masterpieces, created by famous Russian artists throughout the centuries. The historic building of the State Tretyakov Gallery at Lavrushinski Lane presents Russian art from the 11th through the early 20th century. The state Tretyakov Gallery at Krymsky Val has an excellent collection of Russian art of the 20th century, modern art and holds temporary exhibitions.

Site: http://www.tretyakovgallery.ru/

The Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts

The Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts is one the largest European museums of fine art. It has one of the most remarkable collections of fine arts in Russia that consists of artworks from ancient times to the present day. Visitors can see great paintings by world famous artists: Rembrandt, Botticelli, Canaletto, Tiepolo, along with the remarkable collections of Impressionists, Post-impressionists, modernists: Monet, Cezanne, Van Gogh, Picasso and others. Moreover, the museum holds the private collectors’ galleries, many of were inaccessible to public for many years.

Site: http://www.arts-museum.ru/

Moscow Museum of Modern Art

Moscow Museum of Modern Art specializes in the modern art of 20th and 21st centuries. The famous Russian artist and sculptor Zurab Tsereteli has founded it. The museum is located in four historic buildings in Petrovka Street, Gogolevsky Boulevard, Ermolaevsky lane and Tverskoy Boulevard. The museum’s collection depicts the development of avant-garde. The largest part of the collection consists of masterpieces of Russian artists, but you can also find works by Anri Russo, Joan Miro, Pablo Picasso and many others.

Site: http://www.mmoma.ru/

The Moscow Planetarium

The Planetarium in Moscow first opened its doors in 1929. After a global reconstruction, it was reopened in 2011. Now it is a multifunctional complex that combines scientific and educational resources: the interactive museum «Lunarium», the Museum of Urania, the Big Star Hall and the Sky Park, family recreation center, that focuses on different age groups. The Moscow Planetarium is one of the biggest planetariums in the world.

Site: http://www.planetarium-moscow.ru/

Moscow Galleries

Garage museum of contemporary art.

Exhibit on display during the opening of «Art Experiment»

The museum is a kind of independent platform aimed to disclose and reveal a new way of thinking. The Garage Center currently reflects the contemporary innovations of national and world’s culture. It invites you to the beautiful world of modern art, showing its best pieces. This center offers a great number of various exhibitions, educational projects for kids and adults, and publishing. The Garage Center is also called The Museum of Everything. It provides ways and reasons for public dialogue and the creation of progressive ideas.

Site: http://garageccc.com/

The Multimedia Art Museum

Fifty Years of Bond Style Exhibition

The Multimedia Art Museum opened in October 2010 at the base of the Moscow House of Photography. One of the main principles of MAMM s work is complete openness to the new forms of visual expression and for the fresh, innovative trends in the Russian and foreign media art and photography. There are seven floors of spacious exhibition halls and minimalist architecture that is a great font for modern art. The exhibition history of MAMM and Moscow House of Photography counts more than 1300 exhibitions in Russia and abroad. Moreover, Multimedia Art Museum has different educational programs and holds famous Moscow art festivals: Photobiennale, «Fashion and Style in Photography» and others.

Site: http://www.mamm-mdf.ru/

Lumiere Brothers Photography Center

This modern photo gallery is located in the very heart of Moscow, next to the Kremlin, Cathedral of Christ the Savior, big art galleries, design studios famous clubs and restaurants. The photography Center houses in an old and huge mansion at the Moskva River Embankment. Lumiere Brothers Photography Center has three huge exhibition rooms, lecture hall, library with an immense collection of rare books in photography and an independent bookshop. The Center is conducting research work, organizing educational projects, providing a base for the future Russian Museum of Photography.

Site: http://www.lumiere.ru/

Winzavod (Wine Factory) is the first and the biggest Center of Contemporary Art in our country. It unites all the areas of modern culture: exhibitions, festivals, lecture programs, cinema, concerts, theater premieres. You will find here a big amount of art galleries, artists’ workshops, designers and photographers studios, art cafes, fashion showrooms, a bookshop, children’s studio and many other things. The purpose of Winzavod is to support and to develop Russian contemporary art, art initiatives and help talented young people. Visiting Winzavod you will see the art that defines not only today’s but also tomorrow’s life.

Site: http://www.winzavod.ru/

The Manezh was built in 1817 in honor of the 5th anniversary of Russia’s victory in the 1812 war. Then it was called «Exerzierhaus», building, intended for military drills. The building has the unique construction – wooden structure trusses overlap the space of 44.86 square meters without any intermediate supports. After 1917, Manezh served as a garage for government vehicles. And since 1957 it has been continuously used for exhibitions and public events. In 2004, the building was severely damaged by fire. Renovated in 2005 the Manezh doubled its area. Nowadays it is one of the leading Moscow exhibition halls. There are two exhibition spaces, a conference room and a cafe on the third-floor observation deck. The Manezh hosts numerous fairs, festivals, and exhibitions.

Site: http://moscowmanege.ru/

Flacon Design Factory

Flacon Design Factory, located in the territory of a former glass factory, has become a pioneer in the revitalization of industrial zone outside the historic center of Moscow. Flacon has become a powerful launch pad for multiple cool projects, self-expression of creative individuals and carrying-out of sociocultural initiatives. No wonder that the atmosphere at Flacon entirely coincides with its motto: «Create as you please!» The Factory includes offices, co-working zone, shops, workshops, exhibition and creative projects spaces. Lectures, film screenings, fairs, design festivals, innovative exhibitions, presentations, concerts, limited actions and design community work days pass here weekly.

Site: http://flacon.ru/

Artplay is near Winzavod in the former industrial space in the area Kurskaya metro station and occupies an area of 75,000 square meters. Artplay, providing a new life to carefully reconstructed factory buildings, has become an important part of the contemporary cultural landscape of the city. Artplay unites designers, architects, furniture, lighting, ceramics, decorative materials shops, involving them in cooperation with each other. Young Moscow galleries, artists’ studios, cafes, bars, bookstores, music club, school of design, theater, children’s art studio are also situated here. Three exhibition halls regularly host contemporary art exhibitions, festivals, video art, alternative music concerts, performances, film screenings, lectures and master classes.

Site: http://www.artplay.ru/

CCI Fabrika

The Center For Creative Industries «Fabrika» is an art space for non-commercial creative projects. Today it is the example of peaceful coexistence of art business, operating enterprise, production, and workplaces for talented people in Moscow. CCI Fabrika is a member of the international network of non-profit cultural centers – Trans Europe Halls. This project is a typical umbrella-center. It is developing in both ways: creating and exhibiting its cultural projects and offering workspaces for other creative groups. Here you can find art studios and workshops of design, architecture, cinema, theater, cartoon animation and contemporary music studios.

Site: http://www.proektfabrika.ru/

Moscow Museum-Reserves

Tsaritsyno State Museum-Reserve

Tsaritsyno State Museum-Reserve is one of the largest historical, cultural, recreation and touristic complexes. Its total area is more than 700 hectares. It is an excellent combination of nature – marvelous rivers, ponds, streams, forests – and scientifically restored and renovated architectural and landscape monuments. The museum’s collection of historical items, exhibitions, and educational programs will be attractive for both national visitors and foreign tourists.

Site: http://www.tsaritsyno-museum.ru/

Arkhangelskoye Country Estate

Russian cultural monument is a good sublimation of the stunning beauty of a green space and luxurious collection of paintings, sculptures, unique books and pieces arts and crafts. During its long history, the estate was used as a recreation place for emperors, politicians, famous writers and poets. Today it is the finest place to have an enjoyable walk and to see the richest collection Russian art.

Site: http://www.arhangelskoe.su/

Kolomenskoe Museum-Reserve

A unique historic place – Kolomenskoe – is situated in the picturesque surrounding over the Moscow River banks. A magnificent country estate has appeared at the lands full of legends. Archeological discoveries state that the first settlements appeared here in the VIII century. It is an ancient and uniquely formed place. Today this is a unique complex of cultural monuments of high historical value.

Site: http://mgomz.ru/kolomenskoe

Sergiev-Posad City

Sergiev Posad Museum-Reserve

Museum of Sergiev-Posad is a historical and art reserve. It is located within the unique wall of the St. Sergius Trinity Lavra. This ancient monastery gathered its treasures during centuries from the tsars, princes and boyars donations. Moreover, many art and craft items were made at Lavra’s workshops. Now, the collections of Sergiev-Posad Museum-Reserve include rare, ancient icons, Cyrillic alphabet books, medieval manuscripts, visual art items, gold and silver showpieces.

Site: http://www.stsl.ru/

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Nearly 1,300 stores are closing across the US in 2024. Here's the list.

• At least nine retail brands have said they're closing US stores in 2024, totaling some 1,280 locations.
• Family Dollar is the largest chain on the list, planning to close at least 600 stores this year.
• Other companies, such as Walmart and TJX,  are closing a few stores while opening many more.

A Business Insider tally of disclosures from nine retail chain brands found as many as 1,290 stores have closed or are set to close across the US in 2024.

The number is down considerably from prior years, including last year, when the collapse of Bed Bath & Beyond contributed to a total of more than 2,800 locations shuttering .

Analysts at UBS think the total number of US retail closures could reach 45,000 over the next five years, led largely by smaller stores going out of business, even as larger firms such as Walmart, Costco, Target, and Home Depot continue to expand.

Topping this year's list is the Dollar Tree-owned Family Dollar, which is set to close at least 600 locations, with more to come as leases expire.

Some companies, including Express and Foxtrot, are in dire financial straits. Others, such as Walmart and TJX, have plans to expand by more stores than they close. Still others, like Foot Locker and Macy's, are shifting their strategies as shopping patterns change.

See the full list below:

Family Dollar: 600 stores

Its parent company, Dollar Tree, said it would close 600 Family Dollar stores in the first half of this year, while an additional 370 locations are set to close in the coming years as leases expire.

CVS: 300 stores

CVS is in the final year of its three-year plan to shutter 900 locations. The company says changing populations and buying patterns led it to reconsider how many stores it needed in certain areas.

Foot Locker: 113 stores

Foot Locker closed 113 locations during the fiscal quarter that ended on February 3. In the same period, the company opened 29 locations and relocated or remodeled 66 others.

Express: 107 stores

Express announced in April that it would close 95 flagship brand stores and all 12 of its UpWest branded locations.

Rite Aid: 77 stores

Rite Aid is closing another 77 locations after closing 150 last year.

Macy's: 50 stores

Macy's said in February that it would close 150 locations over the next three years , starting with 50 in 2024.

Foxtrot: 33 stores

The boutique convenience store Foxtrot abruptly shuttered its 33 locations in April after it came up $35 million short of its 2023 sales goal, Modern Retail reported .

Walmart: 7 stores

Walmart plans to close seven locations across four states , which it said did not meet financial-performance expectations. The company said earlier this year it planned for a total of 150 new or upsized stores in the next five years, starting with 14 new locations in 2024.

TJX: 3 stores

The off-price retail company TJX closed two T.J. Maxx locations and one Marshalls store earlier this year. Those will be more than offset by the addition of 45 new US locations across the two brands, plus 83 more across the other three brands in the TJX family.

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Moscow's High Rise Bohemia: The International Business District With No Business

• Written by Dario Goodwin
• Published on March 17, 2015

The Moscow International Business Center (Also known as Moskva-City ) was meant to be Russia ’s ticket into the Western world. First conceived in 1992, the district at the edge of Moscow’s city center is intended to contain up to 300,000 inhabitants, employees and visitors at any given moment and, when completed, will house over 4 million square meters of prime retail, hotel and office space to create what the Russian government desired most from this project: an enormous financial district that could dwarf London’s Canary Wharf and challenge Manhattan . Twenty three years later though, Moscow-based real estate company Blackwood estimates that as much as 45% of this new space is entirely vacant and rents have plummeted far below the average for the rest of Moscow. The only press Moskva-City is attracting is for tenants like the High Level Hostel , a hostel catering to backpackers and other asset-poor tourists on the 43rd floor of the Imperia Tower , with prices starting at $25.50 for a bed in a six-person room. This is not the glittering world of western high finance that was envisioned back in the post-Soviet 90s; but what has it become instead?

As one might expect from a project of this sheer ambition, Moskva-City has a troubled past. The economic crash in 2008 hit Russia hard enough to evict the previous Mayor of Moscow , Yuri Luzhkov, who had been a cheerleader for the district, and replace him with the considerably more austere Sergei Sobyanin, who famously declared that the whole idea was an “urban planning mistake.” But as recently as 2013, the Wall Street Journal was triumphantly claiming that Moskva-City had risen from the dead, citing 80% occupancy rates and glowing quotes from industry insiders claiming that Moskva-City was the "place to be." Driven by record highs in oil prices, Moscow looked poised to become the next Dubai .

Instead, Moscow is now in the grip of an economic winter prompted by western sanctions and drops in the price of oil. The large financial groupings that Moskva-City was meant to shelter have been warned off by their inability to issue credit to international markets, for example - but Moskva-City isn’t just an Empire State Building left empty by the Great Depression.

A fundamental problem that is holding Moskva back compared to the rest of Moscow is the simple fact that currently, getting to Moskva-City is nigh-on impossible at peak hours. Moscow has long been plagued with transport problems, ever since the government failed to match the dramatic expansion of the city with a dramatic expansion of the transport system after the Second World War. Despite being only 2.5 miles from the Kremlin , Moskva-City is only just inside the ring road that bounds the city center and which acts as the only real transport link to it (and as a result, is clogged by construction vehicles.) A railway and metro hub has been finished, but so far only runs a one-stop shuttle service to the closest Metro station that is actually integrated with the rest of Moscow Metro. The isolation of the outer districts is a large, negative part of the Moscow psyche, and it’s not surprising that this is driving away the globetrotting financial elite this project was meant to attract.

The project is managed by architectural practice No.6, which is a constituent part of the large Moscow based practice Mosproject-2 , which is itself a public corporation headed up by Mikhail Vasilyevich Posokhin, who is apparently the “People’s Architect of Russia.” Despite all this state involvement, the project has still managed to become bogged down in bureaucratic infighting - each lot is managed and developed individually, which has led to developers competing for occupants by slashing rates.

Much has been written about the way modern financial districts and towers that inhabit them can be unwelcoming, forbidding or even hostile by design, but the skyscrapers of Moskva-City seem even less friendly than usual. The site - a former stone quarry, chosen out of necessity as the only place in the city center where a new district could be plausibly constructed - is isolated both physically and visually, leaving the cluster a stark anomaly on the city skyline. Even the names seem more imposing than optimistic now: Imperia, City of Capitals , Steel Peak.

The Mercury City Tower , so far the tallest completed building on the site, is officially “a strong reference to Russian constructivism, [which] gives the tower a strong vertical thrust similar to the one found in New York's Chrysler building .” It would be easy to criticize the Mercury City Tower for picking ‘inspirations’ that are so totally opposed to each other - The Chrysler building the defining emblem of American pre-crash confidence and Constructivism created with the express purpose (especially architecturally) of extending the Bolshevik revolution into a social revolution - but the way they smash those two inspirations together is almost beautifully ironic.

Even though the High Level Hostel is less an asset to a financial district than it is a PR problem, it’s been a huge success since opening in September, already ranked 27th out of 766 hostels in Moscow by TripAdvisor. According to the management agency for Moskva-City , 58% of the new occupant signings this year have been non-financial, including a number of small to medium size businesses. Other areas of office space have been occupied by a restaurant and a culinary school, while another space has been redeveloped into a 6,000 seat theater.

While Moskva-City is failing to be a financial district that could take on the world, it’s inadvertently becoming a humanized space catering to the very groups that the Russian economic miracle left behind. Taking advantage of rents lower than the rest of Moscow , the world class facilities and the sheer desperation of the developers, the humanization of Moskva-City could well create the world’s first high-rise bohemia.

Of course, these are not spaces designed for a community, or even for people: these are spaces designed for money, and there’s little scope for changing something that seems so baked into the design of Moskva-City . The High Level Hostel is trading off of the irony of being a hostel in a banking tower, but it’s perfectly possible that at some point people will no longer find this joke funny (especially in a building that seems hostile to the very idea of humor). The isolation of Moskva, even though it allowed this community to spring up in the first place, is just as detrimental to a humanized district as it is to a financial one: even bohemians need to move around the city, or the district risks becoming a black-spot instead of a hot-spot.

Moskva-City’s isolation won’t last forever. The end of construction will open the roads up to traffic, and plans to properly integrate the spur lines of the Metro in this area into the wider system are well under way. The integration of the district will inevitably push up rents, and the Russian economy will eventually boom once again. When that happens, Moskva-City is prime territory to be reconquered by the giants of international finance, and it seems unlikely that the municipal or national governments would want to step in to protect this accidental district. For now, though, the towers capture perfectly this moment of Russia ’s schizophrenic understanding of its place in the world.

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Fragments of Bird Flu Virus Discovered in Milk

The milk poses virtually no risk to consumers, experts said. But the finding suggests that the outbreak in dairy cows is wider than has been known.

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By Emily Anthes ,  Apoorva Mandavilli and Noah Weiland

Federal regulators said on Tuesday that samples of pasteurized milk from around the country had tested positive for inactive remnants of the bird flu virus that has been infecting dairy cows.

The viral fragments do not pose a threat to consumers, officials said. “To date, we have seen nothing that would change our assessment that the commercial milk supply is safe,” the Food and Drug Administration said in a statement .

Over the last month, a bird flu virus known as H5N1 has been detected in more than 30 dairy herds in eight states. The virus is also known to have infected one farmworker, whose only symptom was pink eye.

Scientists have been critical of the federal response, saying that the Agriculture Department has been too slow to share important data and has not adequately pursued the testing of cattle for the infection.

Finding viral fragments in milk from the commercial supply chain is not ideal, but the genetic material poses little risk to consumers who drink milk, said David O’Connor, a virologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

“The risk of getting infected from milk that has viral fragments in it should be nil,” he said. “The genetic material can’t replicate on its own.”

Officials did not say how many samples of pasteurized milk had tested positive for viral fragments or where those samples had come from. Those are key questions, experts said. A minority of the samples tested positive, according to two people with knowledge of the data who were not authorized to speak publicly.

If the fragments are present in many samples throughout the commercial milk supply, it would suggest that the outbreak is likely to be far more widespread than has been believed.

Last week, The New York Times reported that the virus had also been detected in a herd of North Carolina dairy cows that had no symptoms of illness.

“The problem in dairy cows might be much bigger than we know,” Dr. O’Connor said. “That would be the concern — not that the milk itself would be a risk.”

The F.D.A. said that it was studying milk samples from several sources, including infected cows, the milk processing chain and grocery store shelves. Federal officials are still waiting for results from experiments designed to determine whether the milk samples might contain active virus, according to two people familiar with ongoing federal reviews.

Those tests take much longer than so-called PCR tests that determine whether there is viral material in the milk supply.

Federal officials have repeatedly reassured consumers that the commercial milk supply is safe, noting that dairy producers are required to keep milk from sick animals out of the human food supply.

Nearly all of the milk produced on U.S. farms is pasteurized, a process that is designed to kill pathogens with heat. Pasteurization should also inactivate flu viruses, which are known to be fragile and heat-sensitive, experts said.

Only recently has the F.D.A. been testing pasteurization’s effectiveness on H5N1. The risk of contracting the virus from unpasteurized milk products remains unknown, but regulators have long cautioned consumers that raw milk poses a variety of disease risks.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been monitoring flu testing data and flu-related emergency room visits. “We have not seen anything elevated to date at the local, state or national level,” said Dr. Nirav Shah, the principal deputy director of the agency.

The discovery of viral fragments in milk has prompted significant concern in the White House over how to avoid raising undue alarm about the dairy supply, according to people familiar with internal deliberations who were not authorized to speak publicly.

Federal officials are expected to address the findings in a news briefing in the coming days.

Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports, an advocacy organization, said that it would be “very critical” for officials to clearly communicate the findings and educate consumers about what they mean.

Milk from farms is already pooled into thousands of gallons that would greatly dilute any virus present. Pasteurization further slashes levels of the virus present.

Soon after the Sept. 11 attacks, Michael Osterholm, an infectious disease expert at the University of Minnesota, helped the federal government plan for a possible bioterrorism attack that might use botulism neurotoxin, a highly lethal pathogen, to contaminate milk.

Working with the dairy industry, he and others identified pasteurization conditions that would inactivate the neurotoxin. That experience reassures him that H5N1 is highly unlikely to pose any problems, Dr. Osterholm said.

“With a virus like this, I would have to believe even if you had the highest levels of virus activity you could ever imagine in the actual milk from the udder of an infected cow, it would be diluted millions of times over going into pasteurization.”

Ingested milk is also broken down by the body’s digestive and immune systems, so “I wouldn’t worry about remnants,” said Dr. Nahid Bhadelia, director of the Boston University Center on Emerging Infectious Diseases.

“As long it’s not a live virus, it is unlikely that there’s any health risks,” she said.

Infected people — and cows — might carry remnants of viral genetic material long after the active infection has resolved. That is why PCR tests for Covid sometimes produce positive results after a person has recovered from illness.

The affected cows seem to have large amounts of virus in their milk, suggesting that it might take some time to become virus-free, Dr. Bhadelia said.

“But the interesting part of this is that we don’t have a sense of how long it takes cows to clear the virus,” she said.

Emily Anthes is a science reporter, writing primarily about animal health and science. She also covered the coronavirus pandemic. More about Emily Anthes

Apoorva Mandavilli is a reporter focused on science and global health. She was a part of the team that won the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for coverage of the pandemic. More about Apoorva Mandavilli

Noah Weiland writes about health care for The Times. More about Noah Weiland

Why Disney is doubling down on theme parks with a $60-billion plan

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Over the decades since Walt Disney opened his first theme park in 1955, the company’s tourism business has ballooned to an enterprise worth tens of billions in yearly sales, with sprawling locations in Anaheim, Orlando, Paris, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Tokyo.

Today, the Burbank entertainment giant is doubling down once again. Disney plans to invest $60 billion over 10 years into its so-called experiences division, which includes the theme parks, resorts and cruise line, as well as merchandise.

In Anaheim, the city council recently approved an expansion plan at Disneyland Resort, which could lead to at least $1.9 billion of development and involve new attractions alongside hotel, retail and restaurant space.

Why the massive investment? At a time when Disney faces revenue challenges due to cord cutting, streaming wars and a slower film box office, its theme parks are a bright — and reliable — spot for its business. Moreover, they play a major part in the company’s strategy — using well-loved movies to inspire rides and vice versa (think “Pirates of the Caribbean”), feeding an ongoing virtuous cycle.

“When you consider other elements of Disney’s business, those theme parks, they’ve shown themselves to be proven winners,” said Carissa Baker, assistant professor of theme park and attraction management at the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management. “There’s no doubt that they have stayed very competitive in the film space and the TV space, but they’ve always led the theme park sector.”

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During the most recent fiscal year, the company’s experiences division — which is heavily anchored by the parks — brought in about 70% of Disney’s operating income, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. By contrast, Disney’s sports sector, including ESPN, contributed 19% of operating income. The entertainment division, consisting of the company’s TV channels, streaming services and movie studios, brought up the rear at 11%.

Those numbers represent a stark contrast from even 10 years ago, when the company was heavily reliant on its TV networks, which brought in 56% of Disney’s operating income (that segment included ESPN at the time). The parks and resorts division drew just 20%.

The tide began to turn in 2019, as the global theme park industry saw record-breaking attendance, just in time for the pandemic to hit the next year.

With the parks closed, Disney reported an operating loss of $81 million in 2020 . Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure, in particular, were shut for 15 months, due to tight restrictions in the Golden State. Since then, pent-up demand from visitors has propelled theme park revenue in a way that hasn’t been replicated in movie theaters.

“The industry was really growing quickly before COVID-19, and that obviously put a crimp on everything,” said Martin Lewison, associate professor of business management at Farmingdale State College in New York. “But it appears as long as the economy remains healthy, the industry is back on track for that growth.”

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Theme parks are typically one of the fastest parts of the travel and hospitality industry to recover after economic downturns, said Dennis Speigel, founder and chief executive of consulting firm International Theme Park Services. Part of that is because it’s hard to duplicate the theme park experience at home.

“Disney sets the bar for our entire global theme park industry,” Speigel said. “The guests, the visitors, they love the way Disney immerses you in their storytelling.”

The Disneyland Resort expansion plan, known as DisneylandForward, will help the 490-acre park stay fresh for visitors. The plan calls for changes to the park’s zoning, allowing the company more freedom to mix attractions, theme parks, shopping, dining and parking. While the plan doesn’t specify exactly which attractions will be added to the resort, company officials have floated ideas including immersive Frozen, Tron and Avatar experiences.

Over the years, Disneyland has cycled out many rides and exhibits to make way for new ones — for example, of the original 33 attractions that debuted with the park , only about a dozen still exist. (One that didn’t make it? The Monsanto Hall of Chemistry).

Though Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure have recently seen additions such as Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge , Avengers Campus and the renovated Pixar Place Hotel , giving guests new reasons to come back again and again are the key to increased growth. This summer, the Magic Kingdom will open Tiana’s Bayou Adventure , replacing the controversial “Song of the South”-inspired Splash Mountain attraction.

“In the theme parks business, you tend to make more money the more you invest,” said Lewison of Farmingdale State College. “People love riding Haunted Mansion 50 times, but the truth is that even that gets old. So new rides, new lands, new parks — these things draw in attendance, they create pricing power and they add capacity.”

And Disney’s rivals in the theme parks business show no signs of slowing down, meaning Disney can’t just rely on its existing hits. Universal Studios Hollywood recently added Super Nintendo World to its park, SeaWorld is touting new attractions and shows for its 60th anniversary this year, and even immersive art installation company Meow Wolf is expanding throughout the U.S.

The competition is becoming so fierce that Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger faced a pointed question during last month’s shareholder meeting about Walt Disney World’s readiness to vie with a new Universal park set to open in Orlando in 2025. He pushed back on the query, saying the idea that Disney World didn’t prepare enough attractions to compete for guests that year “just couldn’t be further from the truth.”

“We’ve been aware of Universal’s plans for a new park for more than a decade,” he said. “We have a sophisticated approach to analyzing the needs of all of our businesses and strategically deploying capital.”

The importance of the parks to Disney’s bottom line is also showing up in the entertainment giant’s search for Iger’s successor . (Iger is expected to retire in 2026.) Josh D’Amaro, the chair of Disney Experiences, which includes the parks, is considered one of four front-runners for the job. Notably, it was Bob Chapek, formerly of the parks division, who initially succeeded Iger, though he was later ousted from the role.

More to Read

Disneyland’s $1.9-billion expansion project is latest mega investment in the Anaheim resort

Huge Disneyland expansion to add new rides, restaurants and hotels wins OK

Dine at a table that moves you from room to room? A look at the future of theme parks

March 20, 2024

Inside the business of entertainment

The Wide Shot brings you news, analysis and insights on everything from streaming wars to production — and what it all means for the future.

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Samantha Masunaga is a business reporter for the Los Angeles Times. She’s worked at the paper since 2014.

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