5 Benefits of becoming a Patron of the Arts
​$without having a fortune$

When you hear the words “patron of the arts” do you think of someone like Queen Elizabeth or a multimillionaire from LA or New York? While people like these are patrons of the arts, did you know that you can be an art patron as well? You do not have to be rich or famous to support arts in your community! A patron is simply someone who supports an individual, organization, cause, or activity. Here are a few ways you can be a patron of the arts in your community.
  1. Support your Friends - Your artist friends will be so grateful, they may even give you a deal.  When you have friends who create visual art, you can think of them when you’re decorating your home or are shopping for gifts. Instead of buying from a big box store, we can purchase art from friends. We can also shop at local art galleries rather than buying mass produced paintings or other art.​
  2. Become Recognized in your Community - Historically, art patrons were aristocracy, royalty and high-ranking clergy. Powerful and wealthy patrons were highly respected people in the community. This could be you!
  3. Enhance the Beauty of your Home -  Bringing art into your home and becoming an involved patron is an enriching experience.  Collecting even a few pieces will become cherished  parts of your estate.  And you'll  be proud to pass them on to your family.
  4. Stop Giving Money to Large Corporations - Next time you need a gift for an event or something new for your home consider buying from local artists. Buying locally can take a little more planning than picking something up at the superstore last minute but the benefits far outweigh any negatives. When you buy from local artists you help keep them in business! You can help eliminate the term “starving artist” by purchasing a homemade made card, a poster or art print.  Remember if you think something is too expensive, artisan items are not mass produced, it is a product of someone’s passion for their craft, and your purchase may be the only source of income they get for the day.
  5. Local Galleries - You can attend gallery openings or other exhibits where your friends’ work is on display. You can share the event and help spread the word to increase attendance.
There are so many ways to support the arts as a patron. You don’t have to be a big corporate donor. You don’t even have to make it about money at all. You can simply show up for the artists in our lives, cheer their efforts, and spread the word so that others can know about them, too. You can start thinking in terms of gifting while supporting the arts and be conscious of how raising awareness can also impact the future of the artist.
The arts add beauty to our lives. Artists create them and do so often with little financial reward. It’s not often a lucrative profession in most cases. We can all do a little better to support the art and artists in our lives so that they can keep adding beauty, truth telling, and meaning to our lives.

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