Art Tutoring – 10 tips for supporting your art career by teaching art
6. Advertise in ‘Good Places’
We found over time that students who made enquiries via classified ads were harder to teach and generally did not stay with us as long as those who came via ads placed in the main part of a newspaper (usually the ‘lifestyle’ section). They also tended to be looking for ‘what they can get’ rather than ‘what they can learn’. The two audiences seem to have a different mindset. In our experience its worth advertising in places where people are looking for quality of service rather than value for money.
7. Charge up front
Many art tutors seem timid about asking students to pay up front, instead opting to allow them to pay on a week by week basis. Don’t be afraid to charge upfront on a ‘per term’ basis, and request a deposit to secure course places. This also makes things much easier administratively.
8. Keep overheads as low as possible
Renting a hall or commercial space is very expensive, and so are art materials. Do your sums. If they don’t add up, don’t do it. Adding more students to your workload will not get you around this. It will only make you very tired, stressed and overworked 
9. Share what you know freely
Many students came to us because their previous tutor seemed to be holding back their ‘trade secrets’, afraid that a students might steal a bit of their original art style. Don’t be afraid that a student will be become a better artist than you using your tricks of the trade. In our experience the students that really pick up the baton and run with it only reflect well on the master artist that taught them (that’s you).
10. Don’t forget why you are doing this
You are teaching art to support your art practice. Remember to leave time in your weekly schedule for your own art.
As you might have gathered, when it comes to art tuition we’ve been there done it, and bought the t-shirt (quite literally – we did have special t-shirts made… but thats another story!). Anyway, if you are considering taking up art tuition as a business, then have a look at whats on offer on our other site DrawPJ.com.
We have limited opportunities for passionate (about art) and caring (about people) individuals to present our comprehensive art course, both in the real world and online. With our course you can set up your own art tuition business with ongoing support from our genuinely warm and welcoming community of artists and tutors.
Pages: 1 2
Good writing. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed my Google News Reader..
Matt Hanson
Hello, thanks for the great tips about “art tutoring”. I hadn’t really considered this route as a way to generate extra income, but it’s really given me something to think about! I’m selling my work, a few pieces per month as I am still quite a new artist, and would love to learn more about how to be an art tutor.
I’ve really enjoyed teaching on the side and am looking forward to doing it again this fall. Your tips are great, exactly what I do in nearly all cases. I make the “secret methods” part of my advertising sell. It really helps if you are at a show and people want to know how you did something. “Take my class and find out!” is my response!
Another by-product of teaching is that many students cannot do exactly what you do and may eventually want to purchase art from you. Students can easily turn into buyers, so remember to be courteous and fair to all of them.
Great articles, thanks…
A lot of good commonsense information. I have been running my own business for ten years and need to be paid up front. I am still not sure what to charge on a one to one basis. I am a professional painter.
If you are good at what you do and have a good professional rep then charge very well for your time. (Just the same as other professionals) Go cheap and peeps will not value what you teach.
Be refreshingly expensive – but not beyond reach
If you are good at what you do and have a good professional rep then charge very well for your time. (Just the same as other professionals) Go cheap and peeps will not value what you teach.
Be refreshingly expensive – but not beyond reach 
Hi,
thank you for the great article. I am just starting my private tutoring career in Art, because i love art and love to share it, especially with children. I am having a hard time though with location. I have given lessons at students’ homes, but I’d like to find a good public location. Do you have any ideas of what an art tutor can do, where to look and how much it might cost to rent a studio space for once a week for a couple of hours? are there schools or institutions that provide private tutors with a space like that? I’d appreciate a reply. thanks!
I am assisting an artist with marketing, exhibits, sourcing for quality and affordable giclees, etc.
We have been discussing the possibility of teaching/tutoring during the crunch. I was actually working on our business plan, and low and behold in researching ideas for “different kind of exhibits”, tired of the same-o same-o exhibits. Your website heading was a wow since I wasn’t expecting anything so thorough, thus I read the entire article and want you to know we are on the right path your comments are encouraging.
Thanks for the info and your humor
)
Great information and insight on how to get generate income through teaching and through our God-given gifts and talents. I have already began my journey in my teaching career at the same time occasionally working an an independent graphic artist for faith-based organizations, businesses and communities. I believe this is what I was called to do. Thanks!