No.

Is it possible that in the future we might figure out that hosts should pay an installation fee or a “rental” fee to keep the art? I guess that is possible, but we won’t make any decisions like that without good evidence that it is necessary. During the experiment, we will not charge anybody.

We think it might work like this:

Step 1: If you want to participate, fill out the enlistment form.

Step 2: When we have a few good matches based on the artist, we will suggest them to you, show you examples of the artists’ work, and share the artists’ bios with you.

Step 3: If you want to collaborate with one of them (or more) we will put you in touch. You would probably meet the artist, they would bring some art to your house, and together you brainstorm about where and how to put it up. You can treat this initial visit like a first date. If there is good chemistry, proceed to schedule the installation. If not, it’s no biggie.

Step 4: On installation day, one of you would take some photos of the art in the space and you would update your rental listings to highlight this cool new addition.

Step 5: We will provide a tabletop sign that has a short bio of the artist and a QR code to the online store. You will decide on a good place for it to go, where it will get seen, but is not too “shop-like”.

Step 6: Wait 90 days.

Step 7: If the artist is selling originals AND a traveler buys art, you will need to coordinate access to the space with the artist. When one piece comes down they might put another one in its place.

Step 8: Along the way, we might ask for your feedback about how it is going. This could come in the form of a quick phone call or quick survey.

Step 9: At the end of the experiment, or if either host or artist need to discontinue, the artist will take down the work. Depending on how the art was hung and the next steps, the host may need to be prepared to spackle and touch up with color-matched paint.

No.

During the trial, we only want the data and the information. Depending on the results, there might be a paid service after that. We need the experience first hand to understand what the necessary costs would be to do that work. If we did move to where we charged a fee or took a commission off sales, we would consult participating artists to determine a fair profit-sharing system and give you ample warning. As you decide the price for your work during the trial, you might want to bake in the mark-up that you would typically share with a gallery that was charging a commission. Pricing decisions are totally yours to make.

Here’s how we think it will work:

Step 1: Interested artists will fill out an enlistment form. (linked at the top of this page) This will include information about you, your art, and what type of collaboration you are interested in. How many pieces do you have? Originals or prints? How far are you willing to travel? Things like that.

Step 2: When we find a potential showcase host, we will check with you to see if you agree that it is a good match for your work.

Step 3: If the showcase host also thinks it is a good match we will put you in touch with each other. You guys would arrange to meet, to explore how the work would get displayed. Consider this as a first date. If there is chemistry, proceed. to installation. If not, it’s ok to pass.

Step 4: In terms of installation, talk to the host. They may feel more comfortable putting nails in their own walls or they may prefer you do it.

Step 5: Once pieces are hung, someone will take pictures of the work in the space so that the showcase host can upload images to the rental listing.

Step 6: We will send you an invitation to set up a “shop” in our marketplace. Each piece you display will need to be added to the shop. This is how guests will find your work and buy it. (You can add other work to the shop, too, if desired.)

Step 7: Ok, the art is up. There is a tabletop sign at the place with your bio and link/QR code to the store. This is where we wait to see what happens. Will people buy art? Depending on your preferences the guest can either take the art with them, you can mail it to them, or they can order a print.

Step 8: Along the way, we might ask for your feedback about how it is going. This could come in the form of a quick phone call or quick survey.

Step 9: At the end of the experiment, or if either host or artist need to discontinue, the artist will take down the work. Depending on how the art was hung and the next steps, the host may need to be prepared to spackle and touch up with color-matched paint.

At this point, we are only working with 2-D art that can go on walls. That could change over time.

Stylistically, all are welcome to apply. Eventually, the showcase hosts will be the one that decides the style of art they want in their homes.

I’m still trying to figure that out.

I am setting up a multi-vendor Shopify marketplace. Artists will have a virtual “shop” where you upload the work you are selling in the showcases. You will assign work to “collections” based on the home you are matched with. That way the guest can search by their location or by the artists. You can add other artwork, if you like. You will enter your method to receive payment. I have set it up to where I do not take any commission.

I’m still working on figuring out the printing and shipping details, but I think you will have the option to set those up through your personal “shop”

Only loosely, or by request. We will pre-filter matches based on geography, price-match, and basic stylistic genres. Beyond that, hosts and guests will select for best fit. Unlike a typical experience working through an art gallery or an interior designer, artists and showcase hosts will have more decision-making control based on their personal preferences. However, if you would prefer someone else make the decisions, we are happy to step in and help.

Matches are based on our suggestions, plus agreement of the hosts and artist, so there is no assurance that every home or every artist will find a good fit.

Yes, if you choose.

Please go into the experiment with that intention.

However, if you decide the match is not a good fit, it is totally ok with withdrawal. Part of this experiment is determining “What is a good fit?” Maybe we can learn from your experience.

Hmm…..

If the host wants to buy the artwork, that is totally fine with us. Y’all do your thing. However, the experiment we are running is designed for the host to provide a showcase so that travelers might buy the art.

The artist always prices the artwork.

The showcase host will have the option to select artists based on price ranges they think are a good fit for their home.

The Galleries Everywhere Experiment is not equipped to ensure the artwork or the installation at this point. If we move forward with a fleshed-out business model, providing that type of insurance and support would be high on the priority list.

Primarily, you are working with Melissa Andrews. I am a researcher and Social Impact Advisor. My consulting practice is called The Art and Science of Impact. This is the type of work I am hired to do.

However, right now, no one has hired me to do this. I am doing it for myself. For many years, I was an Airbnb host as a side hustle. As a host, I always wanted to have an easy path to connect with local artists. I wanted the environments I created for my guests to have roots in the community and was curious if it might be possible to support local artists through this model. However, I didn’t have the time to make that happen. I was always too busy.

Like so many people during this pandemic, I have recently done a life re-org. Last summer I quit my job as a researcher for Austin Independent School District (Where I studied the impact of the arts on students) and started a non-profit that could hold my “do-gooder” work as a freelance consultant. I stopped hosting in November. I guess I just can’t keep still because as soon as I stopped hosting I started playing with this idea.

I live in the Riverside area, have two dogs, chickens, a 20-year-old son, and a long history in progressive education and as a modern dancer.

But I am not alone. I’ve been talking my friend’s ears off about this idea for a while. I’ve had some stellar guidance from professional artists along the way and continue to rely on their insights. I also have advisors from the business world and potential investors for turning this thing into an app that functions globally. If this is a successful experiment, in even the smallest way, it can no longer be a one-woman curiosity.

Because I am not very good at being concise. I mean, have you seen the length of these FAQ answers?

Seriously, I am open to help in this regard. We need a better name.

Dear Lord, I am so glad you asked.

Even for a small experiment like there is a lot to do to

—help get more artists/hosts

—help set up the multivendor marketplace on Shopify

—help artists and hosts navigate decisions

—help them install work

—help process the data

—help copy edit my messy writing

—help this website be more informative

—either join as a part-time assistant or donate money to the 501c3 so that I can hire a part-time assistant to work on the experiment.

Long term, I could use help with other areas too

—help come up with a scalable business model

—help develop a “dating app” that facilitates the matchmaking process

—help get in touch with important people at VRBO or Airbnb so that they might collaborate with us

—all things marketing

Most honest answer: I don’t know yet.

Option 1: Dead end. Many people have tried this before and most of them desisted because it was too much of a logistics challenge. Most of them were using a model that mimicked what a gallery would do, versus a more crowd-sourced art marketplace. Still, it could end the same way.

Option 2: Build a community here in Austin around the idea. Perhaps it would be as simple as a Facebook group where hosts and artists can find each other.

Option 3: Go big. Go tech. If this concept proves to have potential and the data shows benefits for everyone involved, we have a vision for an app that works like a dating app matching local artists with local opportunities. Just like OKCupid, the app would use a fancy algorithm in the background to optimize suggestions, but users would make the final choices. Just like OKCupid, the users would have to meet in person, figure things out and find out if they are a good fit. Unlike OKCupid, the app would integrate an e-commerce platform that makes the purchases of the art super simple for everyone involved.

If it goes this route, the data would be used to convince investors that it is a good idea. I envision starting a tech company that is incorporated as a public benefit cooperation and is member-owned. My hope is that the app lifts up local artist economies everywhere.