Artists aren’t typically known for their big paydays, unless you’ve figured out how to navigate the world of NFTs. Research shows that artists make an average of $3,742 a month in the United States. That’s not exactly the starving artist salary we always hear about, but doesn’t leave much room for extras, travel, or savings. You likely need a side gig to keep your bank account full and comfortably pursue your creative passions. Here are a few art side hustles to get started this weekend
Muralist
Businesses looking to raise brand awareness and attract more attention often hire muralists to paint their logo and artwork depicting the neighborhood. It’s not necessarily the type of work you’ll see advertised, and will need to have a portfolio to show around to area businesses. There’s also more to paint than outside walls. Many companies use muralists and artists to paint signage inside, including branded logos. Markets, restaurants, grocery stores, real estate agents, and bars could all serve as potential customers.
Skillshare Teacher
Skillshare is a goldmine for creatives looking to share their knowledge on everything from baking to growing and scaling an Etsy shop. Unlike other platforms, users pay a flat monthly fee to join Skillshare and as a member and can try out different classes. You earn a commission on the amount of minutes watched, which can add up to a few hundred dollars once you get going. To scale your creative teaching business and earn more, continue adding courses to earn more and build up a reputation to earn a loyal following.
Pinterest Designer and Manager
Pinterest is an all-consuming marketing strategy that some companies hire multiple people to manage. You can learn how to design Pinterest pins and manage accounts through Udemy and apply your skills for bloggers, small businesses, and entrepreneurs looking to increase traffic to their brand. Even with no technical experience, creating Pins with Canva isn’t difficult and just takes a little time to perfect. Pinterest designers and managers earn up to $1,00 per client (or more) and can scale up or down this art side hustle to fit your schedule. Learn more about being a Pinterest Manager, or a Pinterest Virtual Assistant, and scale yourself into a part or full-time business.
Printable Designer
Printables are all the rage on platforms like Etsy where buyers look for stationery, planning pages, scavenger hunts, and more. You can sell your own by scouring your competition to see what’s selling. They may only take you an hour or so to create, but your client gets to sell it over and over again. Another option is to reach out to bloggers and teachers on sites like Teachers Pay Teachers who are trying to create and sell their own printables. Charge a premium to sell all rights, or create a Done-For-You printable template that multiple clients can customize and reuse.
Virtual Assistant for an Artist or Gallery
Learn how to make and sell art from the pros by offering your services as a virtual assistant. As the name implies, you work virtually and help a business owner with anything from administrative tasks to marketing materials and copywriting. You can specialize in a specific area, like running an artist’s social media channel, or offer broad administrative tasks. Some virtual assistants work as little as 5-hours a week and charge $35 an hour for basic tasks. A specialized virtual assistant in an area like running Facebook ads could command $50 on up and pull down six-figures in a year.
White-Label Graphic Designer
Businesses from graphic design studios to marketing agencies need graphic design services that they can white label. If you’re not familiar with the term, it’s the idea that they hire you a subcontractor and label the work as their own. Dozens of businesses use this tactic, including Amazon sellers who find products like skin care or homewares and use their own label when selling the product. White labeling your services isn’t an ideal art side hustle for everyone, but has its perks. Your client markets the services, collects payment, and manages the client relationship.
Pet Portrait Painter
Creating pet portraits is a surprisingly lucrative gig. Some artists nail down $100 on up for a single pet portrait. This creative side hustler found a way to scale her business by digitizing her portraits to turn them into a potential greeting card line or lower price point for her customers. Drum up referrals through your local vet, pet supply store, dog walkers, and other animal-focused businesses.
Caricature Artist
Like a pet portrait artist, a caricature artist can also command big bucks just for drawing or painting. This side hustler earns $250 per hour as a caricature artist and pulls down six-figures a year working part-time. She had enough time on her hands that she decided to start a second side hustle.
After School Art Teacher
Instead of just teaching art to one student, teach to a whole roomful. After school art teachers can work one day a week at multiple schools to grow their art side hustle. This art teacher also figured out how to create booklets for sale so her students’ families could work on art projects at home. And if you’re not having any luck cracking the after school art scene, try community centers, after-care centers, and assisted living homes.
Wine Night Art Teacher
Nothing pairs better with wine than a little art. Offer your services to art studios offering evening classes and group events. Wine nights are popular options, as well as niche events like bachelorette parties. The Artful Bachelorette organizes throws art nights for bachelorettes and brides and even hires a nude model to sketch. Consider offering these art side hustles to your personal network who want to host their own wine night art party at home.
Social Media Content Creator
Social media posts are more than just discussion questions and business updates. The most impressive accounts use graphics to depict a story or ignite a conversation. Bloggers, small businesses, and major corporations all use social media to engage their audiences, making it easy to take your pick of industries to work with. Not sure how to start as a social media manage? Read more on becoming a Social Media Manager.
Home School Art Teacher
Before my sister-in-law returned to teaching public school art full-time, she needed a side hustle to make ends meet. She ended up pitching the idea of teaching art at a community center to home school kids, Boy Scout troops, and other school-age groups looking for a creative outlet. The class was a hit and she got re-hired for years, making this art side hustle a lucrative find. Scale this art side hustle by selling booklets and done-for-you art kits so kids and families can work on projects at home.
With so many art side hustles to choose from, you can embrace your creativity and earn a living at the same time. Start with your favorites and scale up to create your ideal income. If you need ideas, Udemy and Skillshare are filled with affordable classes on everything from social media management to launching an online business to get your art side hustle off the ground.