Art Café | Building Multiple Income Streams as an Artist – What Actually Works

Thursday 13 August | 14:00 BST | Free Online Discussion

Most artists rely on one income stream. The ones who sustain long careers rarely do.

Selling original work is just one piece of the puzzle. Teaching, licensing, commissions, corporate work, residencies, prizes — the artists who build lasting careers tend to combine several of these in ways that feel natural to their practice and realistic for their lives.

But knowing where to start, what to prioritise, and how to make it work alongside your creative output is another thing entirely.

In this free Art Café session, three speakers who have built genuinely sustainable practices will talk honestly about what multiple income streams actually look like in the real world – what works, what doesn’t, and what they wish they had known sooner.

What we will cover

• How to identify the income streams that are right for your practice – not just the ones everyone talks about
• How to price confidently across different types of work and different audiences
• How to build visibility that opens doors to commissions, corporate work, and teaching opportunities
• How to manage multiple strands of income without losing focus on the work itself

Who is this for?

Any artist who wants to move beyond relying on a single source of income — whether you are just starting to think about this or ready to take the next step. Early-career and established artists both welcome.

Meet the Speakers

Ellie Damant | Artist Winner of the Dubel Art Prize 2025/26, Ellie is an Oxford-educated artist with two MAs — in Fine Art and Philosophy — and is currently completing PhD research in art and aesthetics. Her practice spans original work, teaching, and research, and her work features in the collection of Magdalen College, Oxford and has received international recognition from the Abu Dhabi Arts Society. She is also a qualified teacher in art, philosophy, and art history.

Laura O’Hare | VAA Director Laura co-founded the Visual Artists Association and leads its artistic and business development. With over a decade in the fine arts sector and a background as a solicitor specialising in Employment Law, she brings a rare combination of legal, commercial, and creative expertise to helping artists build sustainable careers.

Shirley-Ann O’Neill | VAA Director & Author Shirley-Ann co-founded the Visual Artists Association and is the co-author of the internationally bestselling art business books Good Art Does Not Sell Itself and Securing Representation. With over 20 years of experience working with creatives worldwide, she leads the VAA’s CPD and mentorship programme and has supported thousands of artists in building professional, sustainable practices.

For any questions, contact events@visual-artists.org