Why Many Artists in Singapore Struggle to Make a Living

— and how we can fix this, together

Singapore is not short of talented artists.What we are short of is a working system that allows artists to earn consistently, sustainably, and with dignity.

After years of working with artists — painters, sculptors, photographers, installation artists — one uncomfortable truth keeps surfacing:

Talent is everywhere.Sustainable income is not.

This is not because artists are “not good enough”.It is because the current ecosystem leaves too many gaps unaddressed.

1️⃣ The Pricing Tug-of-War: Too High, Too Low, Never Comfortable

Pricing is one of the most painful topics among artists.

Some price their works too high, hoping to signal prestige — but without market context, collector trust, or track record.

Others price too low, afraid that no one will buy — unintentionally devaluing both themselves and fellow artists.

What follows is a constant tug-of-war:

• Buyers feel prices are arbitrary

• Artists feel misunderstood or exploited

• Negotiation becomes emotional instead of strategic

The problem is not pricing itself.The problem is pricing without guidance, positioning, or market education.

Art is not just about creation.It is also about how the work is framed, explained, and introduced to the right audience.

2️⃣ Passion Without Pathways: Wanting to Sell, But Nowhere to Go

Many artists genuinely want to sell their work.

But they face hard limits:

• No proper website

• No structured portfolio

• No collector-friendly presentation

• No network beyond friends and fellow artists

Social media helps — but it is not a sales system.Galleries help — but access is limited.Exhibitions help — but only when the right people attend.

Too often, artists end up showing work to other artists, not buyers.

Passion alone does not create income.Pathways do.

3️⃣ Exhibitions Are Expensive — and Risky

Hosting an exhibition in Singapore is costly:

• Venue rental

• Installation

• Logistics

• Marketing

• Time away from paid work

Many artists cannot afford this risk.

Even when exhibitions happen, the audience is often:

• Fellow artists

• Art students

• Friends and family

• Regular art-circle visitors

These audiences are supportive — but they are not necessarily collectors or investors.

Exposure without conversion does not pay rent.

4️⃣ Associations Help — But They Are Not Enough

Joining art associations can provide:

• Credibility

• Community

• Exhibition opportunities

But most association events attract the same circle, year after year.

This creates an echo chamber:

• Artists talk to artists

• Curators talk to curators

• Enthusiasts talk to enthusiasts

What is missing are:

• New buyers

• Young collectors

• Corporate commissions

• Community-level discovery

So What’s Actually Missing?

What’s missing is infrastructure.

Not more talent.Not more passion.Not more struggle.

Artists need:

• Visibility beyond their own circle

• Affordable platforms to showcase work

• Direct access to the public

• Opportunities to be discovered without gambling their savings

• A system that benefits the whole community, not just a few

Where ARTISTRY SG Fits In

ARTISTRY SG is not a gallery.It is not an agency.It is not a replacement for exhibitions or associations.

It is a bridge.

What ARTISTRY SG Does Differently

1️⃣ Brings Art to the Public — Not Just the Art Circle Instead of waiting for collectors to walk into galleries, ARTISTRY SG brings artists into:

• Community spaces

• Public venues

• Everyday environments

This allows art to meet people who:

• May never attend a gallery opening

• Are potential buyers without knowing it yet

• Appreciate art but feel intimidated by the “art world”

2️⃣ Shared Cost, Shared ExposureBy organizing community roadshows and live demo events, artists:

• Share costs

• Reduce individual risk

• Gain real-world exposure

• Interact directly with audiences

This is especially important for emerging and mid-career artists.

3️⃣ Live Interaction Builds TrustWhen the public:

• Watches an artist work

• Hears their story

• Understands the process

Art stops being “expensive decoration”and becomes meaningful, human, and relatable.

Trust leads to interest.Interest leads to sales.

4️⃣ A Platform That Grows With the ArtistARTISTRY SG supports artists through:

• Digital artist profiles

• Roadshow participation

• Media documentation

• Long-term visibility

It is not a one-off event.It is a long-term ecosystem.

Beyond Selling Art — Building a Healthier Community

The goal is not just to help artists sell one painting.

The goal is to:

• Normalize art in everyday life

• Create new collector pathways

• Encourage responsible pricing

• Support artists without exploitation

• Build a sustainable creative economy

When artists can earn fairly:

• They create better work

• They stay in Singapore

• They contribute back to the community

A Shared Responsibility

Artists must be open to:

• Learning about pricing

• Adapting to new platforms

• Engaging the public

The community must be open to:

• Supporting local creators

• Understanding the value of art

• Seeing art as part of daily life, not a luxury

ARTISTRY SG exists between these two worlds.

Not to promise overnight success —but to make the journey less lonely, less risky, and more sustainable.

If we want artists in Singapore to make a living,

we must stop asking them to struggle alone.

ARTISTRY SG is one step toward fixing that — together.