11 Artists Revisiting the Gradient in Contemporary Art
Trends in Contemporary Art
Online Art Marketplaces
A Complete Guide & Top 20
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Selling art online is proclaimed to be the ultimate solution for artists who struggle to find exhibitions, gallery representation, and sales. As a result, over the past two decades, dozens of online marketplaces have emerged, providing a service to connect collectors with artists across the globe. Today, the web is scattered with strongly varying art marketplaces. In this article, we will define and discuss the different types of online art marketplaces and provide a list of twenty of the most important and tested online art marketplaces, sharing everything you need to know.
First things first, I must start by stating that practically all online articles, resources, blog posts, or YouTube videos are somewhat deceiving in their blind positivity about selling your art online via these online marketplaces. They convince you that these online art marketplaces make selling your art easy—sign up, upload, and sell. The honest truth is that, in reality, this is rarely the case.
Based on actual experiences and tests, we are pleased to present a realistic overview and guide on what to expect from online art marketplaces, what they are, and what you need to know before trying them. So, what exactly is an online art marketplace? What are the main advantages and drawbacks? What are the different types? And, where to find them?
Definition, Advantages & Drawbacks
Definition: An online art marketplace is a digital platform where artists, galleries, and dealers can display and sell artworks directly to buyers. These marketplaces function similarly to physical galleries or auction houses but operate entirely online, providing a global reach and making art more accessible to a broader audience.
⨁ As a result, the main advantage of online art marketplaces is that they can facilitate transactions between buyers and sellers. Think of often providing tools for pricing, payment processing, and shipping, making it easier for artists to manage sales and for buyers to purchase art from anywhere in the world.
⨁ Most online art marketplaces generate revenue by taking a commission on each sale—similar to traditional art galleries—but as they have very limited costs in comparison with the cost-intensive business of running an art gallery, the commission fee is a lot lower than the typical of 50% galleries, ranging between 10% and 50%. The most common commission fee is around 30%.
⨁ Another advantage is that the online marketplace can expand the market for artists and dealers globally, as it is not tight to the boundaries of a physical location.
⊖ A rather important downside is that today, online art marketplaces are completely oversaturated. There are around a hundred well-known online art marketplaces, and they all have a vast amount of art available, with some of them having over 1 million works available on their listings. As a result, chances have become very unlikely that your work is seen in this abundant supply of art.
⊖ Depending on the type of art marketplace (cf. infra), as almost any artist can upload any artwork, the overall quality of the listed artworks is rather poor. As a result, not only do the good artworks drown in the more mediocre ones but these low or non-existent quality standards are not appreciated by serious art collectors. As a result, they prefer to look elsewhere.
⊖ Once more depending on the type of art marketplace, due to the tremendous oversupply of art and the limited amount of serious art collectors due to the low-quality standards, the type of buyer is the collector who is looking for something decorative and inexpensive. Artists are trying to outcompete their colleagues and set ridiculously low prices simply to sell something, devaluing their own work and the works of their colleagues, resulting in a very low price range.
⊖ Online art marketplaces can hurt your image and profile as an artist and your future career. Due to the rather low level of art on most of the online art marketplaces, your work and standing will be associated with all the other artists on those marketplaces who are unable to find success and are forced to resort to these online art marketplaces saturated by low-quality art. Furthermore, galleries prefer not to work with an artist who has their work online for sale at commission rates and prices that they cannot compete with. As a result, online art marketplaces reduce your chances for gallery representation and long-term success.
⊖ Online art marketplaces are very transactional. It can facilitate a sale, but that sale will contribute nothing to your career. The contact with the collectors is non-existent, the works cannot be seen in real life, and you remain isolated from the art world.
⊖ Not only are the price ranges very low, but the absolute number of sales is also very underwhelming. In fact, there are many different types of online art marketplaces, and most often, the easier it is to sign up, the more difficult it is actually to sell something, with the majority of artists selling absolutely nothing.
The Different Types of Online Art Marketplaces
This brings us to the different types of online art marketplaces. As mentioned earlier, some marketplaces are easier to enter than others, with some being open to all artists, others having a more filtered and curated selection by invitation only, and others exclusively for reputed art dealers providing a curated selection of the curated selections of art dealers. By doing so, some online art marketplaces have certain quality standards and provide an appealing selection for collectors across the globe, making them more reputable and effective, facilitating sales in higher price ranges and better connected with the art world. Additionally, with the arrival of blockchain technology, NFT marketplaces are also open to all artists but focusing exclusively on digital art.
(i) Dealer-Oriented Online Art Marketplaces: These marketplaces are accessible exclusively to established and reputable dealers. As a result, they offer a selection of high-end artworks, often featuring artists who are well-known and have a significant presence in the art world. These marketplaces typically maintain low commission rates, but they enforce stringent standards to ensure a trustworthy and quality experience for collectors.
(ii) Curated Online Art Marketplaces: In this model, the platform itself acts as the dealer, directly engaging with artists to feature their work. These platforms function similarly to online galleries, offering a broad portfolio of artists, though without the traditional model of curated exhibitions. The commission rates on these platforms are generally higher than those on dealer-oriented marketplaces. Most curated marketplaces focus on a larger volume of artists, which in turn can lead to increased sales. Many artists featured on these platforms do not have formal gallery representation, using the platform as a primary means to reach potential buyers.
(iii) Open Online Art Marketplaces: These platforms allow any artist to join and sell their work without the need for approval or a selection process. As a result, the focus is heavily on quantity rather than quality, leading to a wide range of works available for sale, which can vary greatly in terms of artistic merit. Due to the lack of curation, these platforms can become oversaturated, and they often do not hold the same level of reputation within the art world as the more selective marketplaces.
(iv) NFT Art Marketplaces: NFT art marketplaces are digital platforms where artists, creators, and collectors can buy, sell, and trade artworks in the form of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). NFTs are unique digital assets verified using blockchain technology, which ensures the authenticity, provenance, and ownership of each piece of art. Unlike traditional art marketplaces, NFT art marketplaces deal with digital artworks or assets that are tokenized on a blockchain. This means each piece of art is assigned a unique identifier on the blockchain, certifying it as an original, non-replicable item. Many NFT marketplaces allow artists to earn royalties on secondary sales, meaning they receive a percentage of the sale price each time their work is resold, providing ongoing revenue opportunities.
Other online marketplaces such as Etsy or eBay are also being used by artists to sell art, but they do not have that art-specific focus, hence being excluded from the upcoming list. Print-on-demand and community online art marketplaces such as Redbubble, Displate, Big Cartel, Twyla, Society6, and DeviantArt have also been excluded as they do not focus on selling the actual artworks but byproducts such as merchandise and services.
Top 20 Online Art Marketplaces
1. Artsy
- Type: Dealer-oriented online art marketplace.
- Description: Artsy is a leading online marketplace that connects galleries, auction houses, and collectors with potential buyers. The platform features works from well-known and emerging artists, but it is primarily accessible only to verified dealers and galleries, not directly to individual artists. Artsy is the industry-leading online art marketplace focusing specifically on contemporary art.
- Commission Rate: Typically, Artsy charges galleries a subscription fee of approximately $450 per month and a varying fee of around 15%.
2. 1stDibs
- Type: Dealer-oriented online art marketplace.
- Description: 1stDibs is a high-end marketplace that features luxury art, furniture, and design. It primarily works with galleries, auction houses, and dealers who are verified by the platform. While it’s not exclusively for art, it is renowned for its art collections, particularly in the high-end segment.
- Commission Rate: Subscription-based for sellers, typically combined with a commission on sales, which varies by category.
3. Artsper
- Type: Dealer-oriented online art marketplace.
- Description: Artsper is a leading European online platform that connects collectors with galleries. The platform offers a carefully curated selection of contemporary art, as artists cannot directly list their work; instead, they must be represented by galleries that partner with Artsper, think of established art galleries such as Perrotin, Templon, and Galerie Lelong & Co.
- Commission Rate: Artsper charges galleries a commission of 10% on each sale. The galleries then set their own commission rates with the artists they represent.
4. Artnet
- Type: Dealer-oriented online art marketplace.
- Description: Artnet is one of the most well-established online art platforms, offering a curated selection of art from renowned galleries, auction houses, and dealers. In addition to selling artwork, Artnet is a comprehensive resource for art market data, news, and analysis. It is known for its expansive online auction platform and gallery network, making it a go-to destination for collectors and art professionals.
- Commission Rate: Typically, Artnet charges a subscription fee for galleries to list their works. The commission on sales can vary depending on the specific terms agreed upon with the galleries and dealers.
5. Artspace
- Type: Dealer-oriented online art marketplace.
- Description: Artspace is a curated online marketplace and art platform that partners with leading galleries, museums, and cultural institutions to sell contemporary art. It is geared towards serious collectors and only features works from verified dealers. However, Artspace is less established in comparison with our top four.
- Commission Rate: Varies based on partnerships; generally, dealers pay a fee to list on the platform.
6. Kooness
- Type: Dealer-oriented online art marketplace.
- Description: Kooness is an online marketplace that offers a curated selection of contemporary art from galleries worldwide. It focuses on connecting collectors with both emerging and established artists. Kooness carefully selects the galleries it partners with, ensuring that the artworks available on the platform meet high standards of quality and artistic value. As a result, Kooness is on a similar level as Artspace.
- Commission Rate: Kooness operates on a commission-based model, though specific commission rates are generally negotiated with their gallery partners and may vary depending on the partnership agreements.
7. Artistics
- Type: Curated online art marketplace.
- Description: Artistics is a Paris-based online gallery that offers a curated selection of contemporary art, focusing on original works by emerging and mid-career artists. Artists can apply to be represented or be selected by invitation. The platform is known for its high-quality selection and strong emphasis on supporting the artists it represents. They provide additional PR exposure and content creation to support the artists they represent.
- Commission Rate: 30% commission on each sale.
8. UGallery
- Type: Curated online art marketplace.
- Description: UGallery is another curated online art gallery that focuses on mid-career and emerging artists. Artists must apply to be featured, and the gallery provides a highly curated selection of paintings, drawings, sculptures, and photographs.
- Commission Rate: 50% commission on each sale.
9. Singulart
- Type: Curated online art marketplace.
- Description: Singulart is an online gallery that represents artists from over 80 countries. It offers a curated selection of artworks and focuses on giving exposure to both emerging in the primary market and famous artists most often in the secondary market. Artists are selected through an application process to ensure quality and diversity in their offerings. However, the offer becomes very large, reducing the personal representation efforts and focusing, slowly but surely, on more quantity.
- Commission Rate: 50% commission on each sale.
10. Pictoclub
- Type: Curated online art marketplace.
- Description: Pictoclub is a boutique online gallery that specializes in contemporary art. The platform offers both original works and customizable art, catering to interior designers, collectors, and art lovers who seek unique pieces for their spaces.
- Commission Rate: Varies; typically involves a commission split between the artist and the platform.
11. Artfinder
- Type: Curated online art marketplace.
- Description: Artfinder is a marketplace that features curated collections of artwork from independent artists. Artists must apply and be accepted by Artfinder’s curatorial team before they can list their works. This ensures a high standard of quality and a diverse selection of art.
- Commission Rate: 33% commission on each sale for standard members and 40% for premium members.
12. Rise Art
- Type: Curated online art marketplace.
- Description: Rise Art is an online platform that curates artwork from emerging and established artists. It offers a unique “try before you buy” model, allowing customers to rent art before committing to a purchase. This model makes art more accessible and helps buyers make confident decisions.
- Commission Rate: 40% commission on each sale.
13. Zatista
- Type: Curated selection.
- Description: Zatista is an online gallery offering a curated collection of original fine art. It features paintings, drawings, photography, and more. Artists must apply to join the platform, to ensure a better selection of artworks.
- Commission Rate: 45% commission on each sale.
14. Saatchi Art
- Type: Open online art marketplace.
- Description: Saatchi Art is one of the largest and most popular online art galleries. It allows artists from around the world to create profiles and sell their artwork directly to buyers. Saatchi has a strong focus on quantity but also has a tremendous reach and client base. As a result, they can provide decent numbers for a limited number of featured artists they have been working with for a while.
- Commission Rate: 35% commission on each sale.
15. Artmajeur
- Type: Open online art marketplace.
- Description: Artmajeur is a global online marketplace that allows artists to sell original artworks and prints. It offers a user-friendly interface and a large international audience. Artists can list their work for free, with the option to upgrade to a premium account for more features. They currently have over 100,000 artists on their listings.
- Commission Rate: Free accounts have a 10% commission; premium accounts have no commission.
16. Artplode
- Type: Open online art marketplace.
- Description: Artplode allows artists, galleries, and collectors to sell art without paying a commission on sales. Instead, it charges a one-time listing fee, making it a cost-effective option for selling high-value artworks.
- Commission Rate: No commission; $60 listing fee per artwork.
17. Fine Art America
- Type: Open online art marketplace.
- Description: Fine Art America is one of the largest online marketplaces for selling fine art prints, canvases, and other merchandise. It offers artists the ability to sell their art on a wide range of products. The platform also handles printing, framing, and shipping.
- Commission Rate: Artists set their own markup on top of the base price, with no additional fees taken by Fine Art America.
18. OpenSea
- Type: NFT marketplace.
- Description: OpenSea is the largest and most popular decentralized marketplace for NFTs, including digital art, collectibles, domain names, and other blockchain-based assets. It allows artists and creators to mint, buy, and sell NFTs without the need for intermediaries. OpenSea supports various blockchain networks, with Ethereum being the most widely used.
- Commission Rate: OpenSea charges a 2.5% fee on all transactions. Artists can also set a royalty percentage on secondary sales.
19. SuperRare
- Type: NFT marketplace.
- Description: SuperRare is a premium NFT art marketplace that focuses on high-quality digital art. Each artwork on SuperRare is unique and created by specific artists who have been carefully selected and invited to join the platform. SuperRare is known for its exclusive community of digital artists and collectors, making it a go-to platform for serious NFT art collectors.
- Commission Rate: SuperRare charges a 15% commission on primary sales and allows artists to set a 10% royalty on secondary sales.
20. Mintable
- Type: NFT marketplace.
- Description: Mintable is an NFT marketplace that allows artists to easily create (mint) and sell their digital artworks as NFTs. It offers both a gas-free (no upfront costs) minting option on the Ethereum blockchain and a traditional gas-fee model. Mintable is user-friendly and accessible to both beginners and experienced digital artists.
- Commission Rate: Mintable takes a 2.5% fee on standard items and a 10% fee on gas-free items. Artists can also earn royalties on secondary sales.
Last Updated on October 29, 2024
Julien Delagrange
Julien Delagrange (b. 1994, BE) is an art historian, contemporary artist, and the director of CAI and CAI Gallery. Previously, Delagrange has worked for the Centre for Fine Arts (BOZAR) in Brussels, the Jan Vercruysse Foundation, and the Ghent University Library. His artistic practice and written art criticism are strongly intertwined, examining contemporary art in search of new perspectives in the art world.
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- Tags: ADVICE FOR ARTISTS, ART MARKET, ART WORLD
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