Free Trade Art Platform

I want to start a FAIR TRADE ART PLATFORM.

When I visited SE Asia last year I was blown away by the raw talent of various artists that I came across, underselling and undervaluing their work. I want to set up partnerships with individuals, buying their work for a fair price, promoting them and their work online, through my website and social media outlets and selling it on to buyers and galleries on an International scale. Giving them promotion, opportunity and exposure, that they wouldn’t otherwise have.

I have a background in the Arts and have worked in and managed studios and galleries across the world. I want to provide a way to allow artists to make a living: making and selling their work, not having to sit and haggle with tourists who can’t see the value of the work, due to poor surroundings.

I want to pay a fair price (no haggling!) and build relationships with artists so I am in a position to commission pieces and return time and time again to the same individuals. I want to provide support both financially but also in a business sense. Enabling them to create a better life, where they are able to focus more on creating. I want to start with an initial trip focusing on relationship building and buying, in: Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand. I want to build up this platform and hopefully gain corporate sponsorship, so in the future I am able to help set up studios and provide art materials and take on more Artists from further afield.

I am ambitious, as you can see I am already thinking ahead! Right now I am asking for money to help get started in creating something that is worthwhile and meaningful. I want to give something back, I'm extremely grateful that I have an Arts education as well as being experienced in the business side of the Arts. I want to use this to help talented artists and build a really great Fair Trade Arts Platform.

I am continually saving up my money to put towards this but I have come to realise that asking for help will speed up the process. I am ready to make this a reality and hope that you are able to help me get there! I want to be able to focus on this full time, putting 100% of my energy into it to really give it the best chance of success.

Money raised will go towards:

-Completing the Fair Trade Arts Platform on my website: OiOi Arts

-Multiple airfares to SE Asia.

-Accommodation and food.

-Buying of Artwork and travelling to meet Artists.

-Cost of a translator.

-Creation of legal documents protecting the artists.

-All admin, book keeping, social media and web development.

-Branding.

-Insurance for Artwork.

-Artist portfolio creation for marketing and promotion.

I hope that after an initial set up period of contact making with galleries and buyers, as well as the buying trip, that I will be able to sustain this as a stand alone business which turns a profit. A profit I am able to plough back in to ensure continued trips and commissions from the artists I will represent.

My website is already up and running, please feel free to have a look! I also write an Art Travel blog which you will find there also. I am serious about this venture and I look forward to getting stuck in. www.oioiarts.com

Please help me make my dream a reality.