100+ business ideas for artists and creative

Looking for the best art business ideas to make money and support your creativity? Check out our comprehensive list of business opportunities that can help artists and entrepreneurs in the creative industries earn good money .

Making money with art and creativity

If you're artistically inclined, you have a significant advantage over the majority of the population. Your talent and creativity allow you to monetize . You can start a business and use your artistic skills to create beautiful items and works for sale.

However, in addition to the creative process of creating a work of art, you also have to learn how to run a business. The good news is: business and marketing skills can be acquired.

No successful entrepreneur has ever fallen from the sky, but with the right strategy, a good dose of guidance and ideally support from partners, friends or like-minded people, nothing stands in the way of your entrepreneurial adventure as a creative person.

Business ideas for artists and creatives

Here are the best ideas for artistic business ventures that will allow you to make money with your creativity and artistic talents .

A. Innovative Ideas

3D printing

The introduction of 3D printing technology has opened up a new business market for designers. If you are familiar with computer-aided design (CAD) techniques, use your skills to create and sell sculptures, figures, and artwork. See a list of 3D printing .

Animation designers

The use of animation is increasing, especially in films and videos. Creative animation designers are responsible for creating visual highlights and animations in various media, such as television programs, movies, and video games , as well as for mobile applications and websites used in the product, information, and educational sectors.

Auto artist

Owners of antique and exotic cars want their cars painted with unique designs. Their artistic talent could be used to customize and enhance collector cars.

Go beyond pinstripes and murals and offer unique painting artistry for vehicles of all kinds.

B. Art History & Market Knowledge

Expert

Art collectors want to know the value of their art, whether for property valuation, insurance premiums, or resale value.

Offer your research and curation skills as an art business service.

art dealer

Use curatorial skills and art market knowledge to buy and sell artwork online or locally.

Art rental

Hotels, restaurants, businesses, and public spaces often rent out artwork for display. You can earn money by renting out your artwork and also offering it for sale to interested viewers. This is a particularly lucrative idea for sculptures and seasonal art. Win-win!

art seller

Create original paintings and drawings and sell them online, in art galleries, or at local markets.

Vintage resellers

Curate vintage items, rare objects, rarities, antiques and collectibles and market them professionally online or in a small shop.

C. Art trade

Owner of an art supply store

Start a business that sells various art supplies and creative materials.

D. Painting and Sculpture

sculptor

Get commissioned by cities and municipalities to create public art. Or get commissioned by companies to create branded sculptures for their headquarters. It's best to seek advice on getting started in the public art business (keyword: art in architecture ) before you begin.

Reverse Canvas Artist

Print unique designs on the back of the canvas and sell them.

lumberjacks

Create and sell small sculptures or elaborate pieces of furniture made of wood .

E. Teaching, coaching, consulting, workshops & courses

Art teacher / lecturer

As a teacher at a school or a lecturer for students in the design and art fields, you can also pass on your knowledge to the next generation.

Adult education courses

design, art or handicraft courses at the local adult education center or another educational institution .

Seminars for companies

You can give seminars and show employees how to apply drawing techniques or depict creative processes.

Online courses

Create an online course for your art line. You create the course once and can sell it to many people over and over again. Platforms like Udemy or Skillshare are ideal for this, as they handle the sales process completely automatically for you.

Cooking instructor:

Cooking is a deliciously creative art. Use your talents to teach people how to cook for their families or in restaurants.

Creativity coaching

Artists and businesspeople are becoming increasingly aware of the value of creativity in their endeavors. So, if you know how to harness your creative power, you can teach and coach people these special skills.

Dance teacher

If you are a dancer, open a dance studio in your community.

Writing teacher and coach

Many aspiring novelists and freelance writers seeking training and coaching to improve their writing. If you can write elegantly and want to teach others, this is a sought-after art business idea.

Language teacher

If you are fluent in a language like English or Spanish, why not teach it online?.

Music teacher

Good at music? Teach people different musical instruments or give singing lessons .

This excellent business idea requires not only musical talent but also pedagogical skills. For a job at a music school or university, you typically need a degree in musicology.

However, if you want to offer private music lessons, it might be possible even without a formal qualification. It's advisable to compare the prices of competitors for individual and group lessons. Create your own music website and market your services.

Social media consultant

Businesses need help creating compelling images and copy for their social media accounts. You can design and commission their posts as your business idea.

Therapeutic services

Creative activities and handicrafts are also in demand in the therapeutic field. Creative work is helpful in many educational and therapeutic ways, and you can use your passion and skills to help others.

F. Performing Arts & Entertainment

Balloon figures

Create balloon art for event decoration or for participants.

Disc jockey

Become a disc jockey for weddings and other events.

Face painter

Paint children's faces at trade fairs, birthday parties and other events.

musician

Start a band and play at local events, or produce albums and sell them.

play an instrument

Use your musical talents to earn money by playing in concerts, stage productions, and music recordings.

Sing

If you have a good singing voice , you can earn money by participating in competitions or recording songs or jingles. Do you want to get into the entertainment business?

G. Handcraft & Do-it-yourself

DIY and handicrafts

If you love creating handmade treasures, you can make money by selling your wares at local craft fairs, flea markets and farmers markets or by marketing your goods online (e.g. Etsy, eBay, Instagram , Facebook, …).

Upcycling

If you have a passion for refining vintage and secondhand clothing (keyword: upcycling ), you should consider selling your creative output. Instagram, eBay, Etsy, and local craft markets offer a wealth of options for presenting your pieces to an enthusiastic audience.

The financial outlay is manageable, but the search for suitable materials requires time and patience. However, once you know your clientele's tastes, you'll find what you're looking for more quickly.

basket weaver

Make and sell baskets in various shapes and sizes online.

candlemaker

Create unique candles with individual scents and colors. Sell them online or at local markets.

Soap maker

Create a variety of soaps with unique scents and designs. Sell them online or at local markets.

Crochet

Create handmade items for sale or teach people how to crochet.

Custom embroidery

Personalize clothing and other items with embroidery .

Furniture refurbishment / upcycling

Fine furniture and antiques need to be repaired and restored. Become competent and take responsibility for the project, depending on your skill level, the amount of material, and the time required to complete the item.

Sale of knitwear

Create hand-knitted scarves, hats and other items and sell them locally or online.

potter

Sculpt custom tableware and decorative items from clay, glaze them in various colors, and sell them.
The prop stylist job involves collaborating with event planners and arranging items for photoshoots. Collaborate with event planners and arrange items for photoshoots.

Quilt maker

Create custom quilts and sell them to your community and online.

Indie sewing patterns

Experienced pattern makers have the opportunity to create and sell their own patterns. More and more customers are looking for fresh alternatives to outdated, off-the-rack patterns and are opting for independent brands and even printing their own patterns at home.

So if you have the talent to design unique sewing patterns and write easy-to-follow instructions, now is the ideal opportunity to unleash your creativity.

H. Online Ideas & Social Media

Blogger

In the infinite world of blogging, anyone with enthusiasm and expertise can share their knowledge. Starting a blog requires only an idea and a platform. As a blogger, it's essential to find a niche and, with a clear goal in mind, create content that resonates with your target audience.

Find a niche to write about and earn money by blogging. Check out the guide to starting a blog .

Let's imagine you're busy cooking and eating all day long. A food blog would be an excellent way to share your insights and skills with other like-minded people. Blogging can be pursued both as a business and as a freelancer and is one of the most promising business ideas for 2023.

Podcaster

According to a study by the Pew Research Center, podcasting is among the most popular business ideas of recent years. The format requires minimal upfront investment and allows you to present your expertise in your specific subject areas.

Once you've recorded your conversations or interviews, you have the option to edit your recordings, create a new episode of your show, and publish it on a podcast hosting service. You can then consider generating income from your podcast by adding commercial breaks during the show.

YouTuber

Starting a YouTube channel proves to be an extremely profitable online business idea, which, through millions of views and subscribers, transforms into a flourishing income.

If you dream of becoming a successful YouTuber, don't forget that good content only comes from passion. Be authentic and stay true to yourself.

The first step on the road to YouTube fame is to define what kind of content you want to offer your viewers.

Whether gaming, comedy or other formats such as commentaries or tutorials – the spectrum is wide.

I. Crafts

Bookbinder

Offer bookbinding services for independent authors and business owners.

Cake decorator

Decorate the wedding cake and other cakes and special desserts.

Artificial lacquer

Restaurants, shops, salons, and homeowners desire unique wall and furniture finishes. Create these designer looks for them. Sell directly to clients who are to be commissioned by large painting companies or interior designers.

Framer

Attractive works of art are enhanced by professional framing. Your company could produce unique frames for display. Expand your offerings to include shadow boxes and collages.

garden designer

Art doesn't necessarily have to be on a canvas or a sculpture. Plants are excellent media for creating art. Use our green thumbs and our design talents to create landscaped gardens and artistic planters. You can also stylishly enhance beautiful garden landscapes with matching outdoor sculptures .

glassblower

Glass is a beautiful art material. You can create monetizable such as jewelry, home decor

Glass etching

Use hand tools or a machine to etch water glasses or glass home accessories

Hairdresser (with specialization)

You can offer unique cuts, updos, hair coloring, and other salon services from your home. Check out this list of salon names for your new business.

House painter

Offer painting services to real estate agents and homeowners.

Jewelry manufacturer

Create unique necklaces , earrings and bracelets and sell them online or at local markets.

landscape architect

Design other people's landscapes and outdoor spaces.

Recycled furniture

Building on the recycling and sustainability trend, you can use existing items to create new and better furniture for resale. You can also use pallets to make unique pieces of furniture and home decor.

Tailor / Alterations tailor

If you have sewing skills, you can become a tailor or alter other people's clothes.

It might not be a groundbreaking business idea, but offering alterations and repairs is a steady source of income. You'll always find customers looking for a tailor to perfectly fit their clothes.

Use local forums or Facebook groups to advertise, or place a sign outside your studio or house. Word of mouth is key to success, as potential clients gain confidence in your work through recommendations from friends or acquaintances.

It is a quiet and gentle business that focuses on reliability and quality.

Pet supplies and accessories

The pet accessories industry is a comprehensive and constantly growing sector. For all pet owners looking for luxury accessories for their pets, this is an excellent opportunity to start their own business in this field.

Whether you produce handcrafted leather collars and leashes, soft vests and sweaters for dogs, or luxurious, fluffy pet beds, you will always find gorgeous models for your products.

J. Creativity techniques

Calligraphy and hand lettering

Offer calligraphy services to individuals and businesses for marketing materials or wedding invitations.

cartoonist

Sell ​​your humorous art at local events or venues.

Custom acrylic

Create key holders, jewelry , and other items from acrylic and epoxy resin.

Art studio for ceramics and painting

Open a participant studio for beginners where you can visit and create art for a fee. You can include classes, as well as stage events and parties.

Heat transfer vinyl artist

Transfer designs onto clothing, glass, canvas and wood to create unique, individual items.

Macramé artist

Use your love of fiber art to create unique home accessories, jewelry, fashion accessories and clothing.

Sell ​​them online on marketplaces like Etsy.

Consider macrame techniques . Macrame workshops in local boutiques and cafes are currently very popular.

Wall painting

Paint murals and monumental murals in offices, daycare centers and other public places.

Tie-dye artist / Batik

Print T-shirts, socks, etc. with tie-and-dye designs and sell them online or at local events.

Batik ( also known as tie-dye) has been known for centuries and has enjoyed great popularity ever since. The technique is a traditional textile dyeing method for creating innovative color gradients. The fabrics are printed or painted with liquid wax before being dipped into a dye bath.

The wax protects the printed areas from absorbing the dye, creating unique patterns and gradients on the fabric. The art of batik requires great skill and patience, as each step must be carefully executed to achieve a flawless result.

Today, batik is used not only in its traditional form, but also in modern designs and on a variety of textiles such as silk, cotton, or linen. Batik clothing and accessories are timeless and unique and enjoy enormous popularity worldwide.

K. Design & Illustration

Clothing designer

Design and manufacture a range of clothing items and sell them in shops or boutiques.

Comic author and illustrator

fantasy , manga as an author and illustrator .

Draw comics or stories and inspire people with them. You can sell related merchandise for additional income, like Gemma Correll or The Oatmeal do.

Business selling custom-made T-shirts

Use heat transfer foil or a printer to transfer unique designs onto T-shirts , shirts, and other garments.

Design seller

Create exclusive designs and sell printable and cut files online.

If you decide to leave your original works untouched and work digitally instead, you have the option of making prints of them and selling them.

Alternatively, you could offer the full range of products, including mugs, laptop sleeves, shirts, or notebooks. This is relatively easy to implement using platforms like Redbubble or Spreadshirt .

Alternatively, you can also sell your designs offline at events or trade fairs, e.g. at hello handmade .

fabric textile designer

All the fabric prints you see were designed by an artist. If you have a keen sense of color and a good understanding of proportions, this company might be just right for you.

Fashion designer

Use your talent to create individual outfits and innovative styles by becoming a fashion designer.

Floral designer

Flowers are among my favorite art forms. Consider selling your artistic skills as a floral designer.

Greeting card designer

Create designs, transfer them to cards, and sell them online or in local stores.

handbag designer

Design, manufacture, and sell handbags in local boutiques or online.

Illustrate children's books

Offer illustration services to children's book authors.

Freelance graphic designer

Freelance work means freedom – the freedom to decide for yourself what you do and how you do it. However, it also requires taking action to seize the next opportunity.

Fortunately, there are now numerous online marketplaces for designers that make it quick and easy to find potential clients and secure commissions. One way to showcase your work is to create a portfolio website .

Logo designer

Graphic designers can professional logos as freelancers for international business clients.

App designer

Become a freelance app designer for individuals and businesses.

Over three billion people worldwide own and use a smartphone daily. This presents an excellent opportunity for app development.

If you have a great idea for an app, you can team up with an experienced developer to bring it to life. However, before you invest time and resources in developing your app, you should definitely carefully examine the market and the demand for your idea.

Packaging designer

Product manufacturers and food suppliers all need talented graphic designers to create innovative packaging. They can also design labels, inserts, and in-store displays for their clients' products.

Pattern designer

Crafters, including knitters, crocheters, and sewers, all want to buy interesting patterns to pursue their hobby . You could design and sell your patterns. Create your designs as downloadable PDF files and sell them online on one of these websites. Wallpaper patterns and exclusive designs for wall murals and photo wallpapers are particularly in demand right now.

Video game design / game designer

The best video games are visually appealing and have good design. Earn money by designing video games.

Pinterest Designer

The social media site Pinterest is a rapidly growing visual search engine. If you enjoy designing engaging visuals, consider creating "Pins" for businesses to drive website traffic through Pinterest.

Stencil designs

Translate your designs into stencils for interior decorating, for DIY enthusiasts or interior designers. Children's rooms and kitchens are the most popular designs.

Store signage

There is a constant demand for talented sign makers. Signs are often the most important branding element for restaurants, hotels, and retail stores. Offer your artistic skills to both local businesses and online.

Wallpaper designer

Wallpaper is a booming market projected to reach $40 billion by 2025. Get a share of that wealth by designing wallpaper.

Website Designer / Freelancer

Create custom websites for business owners on freelance websites or sell pre-made templates online.

If you have the talent to be both creative and technically savvy, web design could be the perfect business idea for you. Web designers conceive, create, and design websites. You can acquire projects by contacting companies or web design agencies, or you can find them Wix Marketplace , Upwork , Twago , Remote Freelancer or 99designs

The great advantage of this business idea is that you can run it from anywhere with internet access. No wonder this innovative business idea is so popular.

As a web designer, you can also design templates and themes sell licenses for them via platforms like Envato

Vinyl car wrap designer

Businesses with vehicle fleets, such as service companies, need your creative talent to design eye-catching vinyl wraps for their cars and trucks. Explore this business idea by reading how to get into the vinyl wrap business here.

Graphic Recording

You can provide visual support for seminars or events in companies. On a larger scale, this could be a graphic recording, and on a smaller scale, you could visualize what the new products or services should look like.

L. Writing & Storytelling

Writer / Author

If you have a creative streak and are confident in your writing skills, writing could be just the thing for you! This flexible business idea allows you to write anywhere and about anything. You also have the freedom to manage your own time and publish your literary creations across various media.

Don't forget that it's not just about newspapers or books, but eBooks or blogs are also a great platform.

Once you've found a topic that inspires you, there's only a blank page between you and your new career as a writer.

E-book author

Great at storytelling? Write and publish your own novels online.

Or bring your work, designs, and creative processes to life in a book and allow them to be published Books on Demand , Tredition , or Amazon Publishing

Write your story, tell about your experiences, and share your inspirations with the world. This way, you can make your passion and talent accessible to a wide readership and realize your potential as an author.

Take the plunge and prepare yourself for an exciting journey into the world of literature.

Ghostwriter / Copywriter

If you are an expert in a particular field, you can write e-books and blog articles for individuals and companies – including as a ghostwriter on behalf of other authors or companies.

This business idea requires a high level of writing skills and creativity. In the field of copywriting, you create texts that make it easier for potential customers to decide to purchase a company's product or service.

Incidentally, this business idea can be perfectly combined with that of a translator or blogger.

Love letter writer / ghostwriter

Old-fashioned love letters will never go out of style. Romantic writers earn money by writing love letters for couples. Write as sweetly or sexily as you like.

Write children's books

Write interesting stories for children and sell them to publishers or in small editions on Amazon (desktop publishing).

Create an audiobook

Dear book lovers and self-publishers, you may have stumbled upon a brilliant business idea: producing an audiobook. More and more readers are choosing audiobooks as their preferred reading material.

Producing your own audiobook doesn't have to be expensive. You can record it yourself or commission a professional production.

Whatever your approach, make sure the audio files are of high quality and choose an audiobook distributor that caters to your target audience.

M. Fashion, Make-Up & Fashion

Fashion stylist

Do you love putting together interesting looks? Use your skills as a fashion stylist. Photographers, retailers, celebrities, and designers will be your clients.

Makeup artist

Open a salon or travel to work with clients in studios or wedding venues. Use your creativity to enhance your clients' beauty, for stage productions and films.

Alternatively, you could teach makeup artistry in salons or online. Another source of income could be events held in stores at makeup counters.

Nail artist / Nail art

Not all works of art hang in museum galleries. Among the most interesting is the decoration of fingernails! Open a nail salon and paint individual works of art on your clients' nails.

Personal stylist

Help customers with their shopping and putting together outfits.

Tattoo artist

If you have the right training and creativity, you can offer tattoos to your clients. Tattoo art has been a huge trend among young and old for many years.

N. Interior Design / Interior Decoration / Events

Home Stager

Work with homeowners and real estate agents to make homes more attractive to buyers.

Interior architecture / Interior design

If you have an eye for design and love interior decorating, do it for others.

Designing shop window displays

Retailers of all sizes need attractive window displays. This career is called merchandising. If you enjoy creating interesting visual art with props, this is an ideal business idea for you.

Furthermore, stores need help with the design of their shelves and display cases. Tips for getting started with visual merchandising.

Wedding Planner

The work of a wedding planner differs from event planning in that it specializes in weddings.

If you not only possess organizational talent, relationships and an aesthetic sense, but also feel a passion for romance , this business idea could be just right for you.

O. Photography & Video Production

Portrait photographer

Take photos of seniors, families, headshots, or even pets. Get inspired here for your photography business name

Photo seller / stock photography

If you are passionate about taking photos everywhere and always have your camera ready for the next snapshot, why not sell your photos online on iStockPhotos , Adobe Stock and similar websites?

Silhouette portraitist

Create silhouette portraits using heat transfer film and profile photos.

Wedding photographer

If you photography , offer photo and video services at weddings.

Video producer

Earn advertising revenue on YouTube by producing videos in your field. Or produce videos for companies, influencers , YouTubers, and other artists.

P. Film & Television

Voice actors for advertisements, dramas, videos and commercials

Your voice is in demand, regardless of language or accent.