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Studio Sales

Running your own studio sale with Indy.auction

Studio Sales are a terrific way for artists to make space in their studios and reach new audiences through online auctions of pre-exhibited or older work. With Indy.auction, artists can create their own studio sale auction quickly and easily. 

Getting Started with Studio Sales

Find out more about our studio sale auctions and how they work.

Demo Auctions

Need inspiration? Explore our Studio Sale Demo Auctions.

FAQs

What are Studio Sale auctions?

Auctions run by artists selling artwork directly from their studios. Studio sale auctions can be used as archive or clearance sales. 

How do Studio Sales with us work?

The Auction Collective hosts a dedicated Studio Sale auction week. Studio Sale auctions from a variety of artists are all launched together. See previous Studio Sale Auctions 2022 and Studio Sale Auctions 2023. The Auction Collective curates this auction week and will get in touch with artists.

All the studio sales included in our dedicated Studio Sale week will be promoted by The Auction Collective's marketing channels, including our newsletter database of interested buyers and our social media channels. The Auction Collective is unable to guarantee marketing and promotion to any studio sale auctions that are held outside of our Studio Sale week.

Artists are also welcome to run a Studio Sale auction with Indy.auction any point in the year - our software is self-serve and easy to use. Get in touch with us to find out about running your own studio sale auction.

When will The Auction Collective run its next set of Studio Sales?

Our next run of dedicated Studio Sales will be held in January 2025. We will be reaching out to artists in November 2024. 

Auctions will launch on the same day and be live for two weeks to generate as much interest across the studio sales as possible and give bidders a chance to bid in all the auctions. The auctions will close consecutively. 

How can I participate in TAC's Studio Sale Auction Week?

The Auction Collective reaches out to artists ahead of the Studio Sale Auction week to ask them to participate. Spaces are limited for the dedicated week - to stay informed about upcoming dates and open calls, please follow @theauctioncollective on Instagram.

Artists are always welcome to run their own studio sale auction outside of our dedicated studio sale week.

How do I set up my own studio sale auction?

If you are interested in running an auction outside of the dedicated Studio Sale Week, please get in touch with us directly to find out more.

Why host a Studio Sale?

Studio Sales can be beneficial to artists for many reasons:

  • Raise funds for a new project
  • In place, or as part, of Open Studio events
  • As part of a studio move
  • Showcase previously exhibited work
  • Sell older artwork
  • Archival material (e.g. drawings, studies for larger works or public projects)
  • Private auction for dedicated group of collectors
What are the benefits of a Studio Sale Auction?
  • Competitive bidding with no upper price limit
  • Clearance sale prices but with no published results
  • Mass-marketing
  • Getting new buyers and underbidders
  • No published sale results 
  • A focused and efficient sale deadline 
  • Professional presentation 
  • A permanent dedicated webpage to you, your artwork and with links to your socials and website
  • Realtime reporting analytics 
  • Access to bidder data
Why do collectors like Studio Sale auctions?
  • To collect artwork from artists that they love but have missed at previous exhibitions.
  • To buy artwork that has not been shown before.
  • To bid on artworks with more accessible starting prices.
What are the fees?

Our Indy.auction software has no upfront or subscription fees. Depending on your account tier, we take a percentage of each item sold, with the option to pass this fee on to the buyer. More information on our pricing can be found here.

How does shipping work?

You will be responsible for shipping artworks. This is arranged between you and the buyer following the sale.

Each lot has a dedicated field for shipping, for you to add your shipping process or fees. We recommend adding contact information in case bidders have additional questions about shipping.

Get in touch with our team

Ceramics Lead image

"A really good experience. Great comms, straight forward upload instructions. Nice design and formatting on the site. The whole process was supportive and efficient, and I've had lovely feedback from a client too. Many thanks."

Studio Sale ArtistJuly 2022

"The Studio Sale was really great, the whole experience from start to finish was really well put together and easy to work with. Would definitely do another with The Auction Collective and have been singing your praises to fellow artists."

Studio Sale ArtistJuly 2022

"The ability to have low starting bids and 'non-visible' reserves meant that I felt more comfortable putting works out there below the gallery price. Importantly for me, the sold price is not listed publicly, so I don't have to worry about previous clients or galleries questioning the sale of works."

Studio Sale ArtistJuly 2022