What Are the Real Costs of Organising an Exhibition?

An exhibition is not just about hanging artworks on a wall.

It is a full production.

Typical Exhibition Costs in Singapore

1️⃣ Venue Rental

• Gallery / commercial space: S$3,000 – S$15,000+

• Duration: 5–14 days

• Often excludes utilities, insurance, or staffing

2️⃣ Installation & Logistics

• Artwork transport

• Crating / packing

• Installation manpower

• Wall works, lighting adjustments➡ S$1,000 – S$5,000

3️⃣ Marketing & Publicity

• Posters, invitations

• Social media ads

• PR outreach

• Opening reception➡ S$1,000 – S$3,000

4️⃣ Documentation

• Professional photography

• Videography➡ S$800 – S$2,000

5️⃣ Opportunity Cost

• Time away from work

• Physical and emotional exhaustion

💰 Realistic Total Cost:

S$6,000 – S$25,000+ per exhibition

And after all that, there is no guarantee of sales.

This is why many artists:

• Burn savings

• Feel disappointed

• Become discouraged

The system assumes artists can absorb risk.Most cannot.

So What Is a Roadshow — and How Is It Different?

A roadshow is not a “cheap exhibition”.It is a different strategy altogether.

Exhibition vs Roadshow (Simplified)

Exhibition	Roadshow
Fixed venue	Mobile / community-based
Short time window	Repeated exposure
Passive viewing	Active engagement
High upfront cost	Shared & lower cost
Visitors self-select	Art meets the public
Sales depend on footfall	Sales depend on interaction

An exhibition waits for people to come.A roadshow goes to where people already are.

Why Roadshows Are More Practical for Most Artists

Roadshows typically take place in:

• Community spaces

• Public venues

• Malls, walkways, town centres

• Cultural events

This matters because:

• The audience is broader

• The environment is less intimidating

• Conversations happen naturally

People who never attend exhibitions suddenly:

• Ask questions

• Watch the artist work

• Engage emotionally

This is where trust begins.

How Can a Roadshow Become an Art Fair or Exhibition?

A roadshow is not the end point.It is a foundation.

When done properly, roadshows can evolve into:

• Curated art fairs

• Themed exhibitions

• Overseas showcases

The Progression Model

Roadshow → Engagement → Trust → Curation → Exhibition / Art Fair

Roadshows help organisers:

• Identify which artists resonate with audiences

• Understand pricing sensitivity

• Observe buyer behaviour

• Build mailing lists and collector interest

By the time an exhibition happens:

• Risk is lower

• Audience is warmer

• Artists are better positioned

The Most Important Question:

How Can Roadshows Help Artists Sell Their Artwork?

Sales do not happen because something is displayed.They happen because value is understood.

1️⃣ Live Interaction Converts Better Than Static Display

When buyers:

• Meet the artist

• Hear the story

• See the process

Art becomes:

• Less abstract

• Less intimidating

• More personal

People buy from people they connect with.

2️⃣ Roadshows Enable Immediate, Low-Pressure Sales

Roadshows allow:

• Smaller works

• Studies and sketches

• Prints or editions

• Commission discussions

Not every sale needs to be a masterpiece.

Even:

• S$200

• S$500

• S$1,000

is meaningful income — and confidence-building.

3️⃣ Roadshows Create Follow-Up Opportunities

Most serious sales do not happen on the spot.

Roadshows allow:

• Contact exchange

• WhatsApp or email follow-ups

• Studio visits

• Later purchases

This builds a sales pipeline, not a one-off gamble.

4️⃣ Shared Platforms Reduce Individual Risk

Through ARTISTRY SG, artists:

• Share space

• Share audiences

• Share exposure

• Reduce personal cost

No artist carries the full burden alone.

Why ARTISTRY SG Focuses on Roadshows First

ARTISTRY SG does not reject exhibitions.It restructures the journey.

Instead of:

“Spend big first and hope”

ARTISTRY SG proposes:

“Engage first, build trust, then scale”

Roadshows allow:

• Real-world testing

• Community building

• Financial sustainability

• Overseas readiness

Only after this foundation is built does:

• Group exhibitions

• Overseas showcases

• Art fairs

make sense — and become effective.

Final Thought

Exhibitions are beautiful.But beauty without sustainability leads to burnout.

Roadshows are not glamorous —but they are honest, human, and effective.

When done properly, roadshows:

• Support artists financially

• Build audiences organically

• Prepare artists for bigger platforms

That is why ARTISTRY SG believes:

Roadshows are not a compromise.They are the beginning of a better system.

And from that system,strong exhibitions — and real sales — can finally grow.