Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Art Fundraisers- Advice Please

This post is for all the art teachers who have had experience with fundraisers.

 I have tried several fundraisers, but I have yet to commit to one company.  One year I did an art show through Artome.  This is a company that frames the students' artwork and sets up an artshow.  This made for a great event for the school, but all the artwork had to be done on 9x12 paper, which is smaller than I usually work.  My other complaint was, while the artwork looked beautiful on display, it made the art show all about making money instead of just appreciating the art on display.  Some students also felt bad if their parent couldn't afford to buy the frame.  
This year I tried something different.  I did Art to Remember.  This company takes student artwork and prints them on items such as mugs, shirt, and notebooks, which are sold to the parents upon ordering.  This was an easy fundraiser, but once again I had to work on a specific size paper, 8x10, which is a lot smaller than we usually work.  Also they did not want artwork made of chalk or pastels, which are my go to supplies for small artwork.  On the upside, we made a lot of money
I am considering changing my art fundraiser again next year.  I don't like planning lessons to fit a specific size paper, and I would like to be able to use artwork from the entire year.  I am considering using Artsonia.  This program allows you to take pictures of any project created throughout the school year, and post it on an online gallery. It even allows for sculptures! Then parents can view their student's portfolio and order products online. The downfall is that the responsibility of taking pictures and downloading on the website would fall entirely on me.  With 740 students, Will this be too difficult?  

Who out there has had experience with fundraisers?  Which ones did you like? and Which ones were too time consuming?  I would love to hear opinions.  



6 comments:

  1. I also did Art to Remember this year for the first time and made over 7 times what I normally have for a yearly budget. It was very successful, and for that reason, I don't mind doing one project a year on smaller paper. We do a more detailed drawing project, and learn shading techniques with crayons/colored pencils and watercolor. I have thought about doing Artsonia, but I know I would need many parent volunteers. It's a big undertaking from what I have heard from other teachers in my district, however it provides ways to show growth throughout the year. Kids can also create artist statements, and there is a great app you can have the kids use to photograph and upload their work if you have access to ipads.

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    1. Thanks for your thoughts. I agree, Artsonia may need a lot of parent volunteers to pull off. Art To Remember is just once a year, so it is not as big of a commitment.

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  2. I have attempted all 3 of these... I will def use Artome next year for my Fine Arts NIght... it looks fantastic!!! and we only charge for the frame and matting that way it is not about the $$, it is showcasing the artists in porfessional looking frames.
    The Artsonia- I have taught my 2nd and 3rd graders to upload their own artwork... we have a station where they do this. for K-1st, I do it or parent volunteers and sometimes college students... and this last week of school I may have some of my 3rd graders help out during class to get through all of it... I have 500+ students.
    and I agree- I do not like being confined to a size (feels like I am teaching to the test), but I was very impressed with Artome and our community as many bought for others that knew they would not be able to afford it!

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    1. I like the idea of having students upload their own artwork. I might have to try that.

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  3. Try Artsonia and use the classroom mode. I used to upload quite a few pieces myself. But now that I have students uploading their artwork themselves...it's so much easier. And we have over 2000 works of art uploaded this year!

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  4. I use Artsonia and have it down to a science for taking pics and uploading. My families LOVE IT. Grandma and relatives order from any state. I do it all myself for 500 students but plan on teaching 5th graders this year. I do not get an art budget so this is an easy way to make money for the art room. I also collect box tops and that is a pain and very time consuming.

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