We want every artist to have the opportunity to sell their work at the Invitational. That’s the whole point—to create a win-win-win situation: you make a sale, a patron takes home a beautiful work of art, and the Sears Art Museum receives vital funding to support future exhibitions.
This is the museum’s only annual fundraiser, so pricing plays an important role in your success and ours. We encourage you to set prices that reflect your time, skill, and artistic reputation, while still remaining accessible to our patrons.
Pricing can be tricky. It’s sometimes tempting to raise your prices to offset the 40% commission. But in our experience, overpricing usually works against you—art that’s priced too high often doesn’t sell. A good rule of thumb: aim for prices that are fair, confident, and balanced—not too low, not too high.
If you're an established artist with a consistent sales history, it's wise to stick with the pricing structure that works for you. No need to fix what isn’t broken.
If you're newer to exhibiting or still finding your pricing rhythm, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Every year, we see strong pieces that are either priced too low or too high, especially from emerging artists. If you’re unsure, we encourage you to do a bit of research, look at similar works and price points, or reach out to the museum staff. We’re happy to help and want to see your work find a good home.
A few more helpful tips:
