Working With Artists

Working with an artist is one of the most rewarding ways to bring your ideas to life. If you're not sure how to reach out to an artist or what happens once you do, this guide walks you through what to expect, how to communicate, and how to make collaboration feel exciting and go smoothly.

Why Work With Artists

Artists are creative partners, not just service providers. They bring imagination, problem-solving, and a point of view that adds meaning in addition to creative expertise.

Hiring local artists also strengthens our region. When you collaborate with someone here in Greater Cincinnati, you’re supporting a creative entrepreneur and investing directly in our culture.

What to Expect

Every artist works a little differently, but most projects follow this formula: you reach out, you talk about the idea, and work together to make a plan that fits your goals, timeline, and budget.

Some artists will provide a proposal, contract, or sketch before beginning the work; others may start with a conversation or site visit.

Like any good partnership, clear communication is key—it keeps everyone aligned and helps the work go smoothly.

Collaborate on a Community Project

Collaborate with artists on murals, teaching programs, and neighborhood events that reflect your community’s identity and engage people in meaningful ways.

• What to Expect 
  • Working with artists is a collaborative process. Share your ideas, timeline, and budget upfront—then let the artist bring their creative expertise to the table. Clear communication ensures everyone is on the same page and leads to stronger, more inspiring results.

• Pricing & Budgeting
  • Pricing varies depending on experience, time, materials, and how you'll use the artist's product or service. Artists with more experience typically charge more, just as any other job. If you’re unsure where to start, be up front about how much you can spend—artists can often help you scope your project to fit your goals and budget. 

• Tips for Reaching Out
  • When you contact an artist, a little detail goes a long way. Share what you’re looking for, your timeline/deadline, and—if you know it—your budget or general price range. Artists can better understand your vision and provide an accurate quote when they have the full picture. Clear, respectful communication sets the tone for a great collaboration.

Find Collaboration

Communication

Reaching out to an artist is easy--they (usually) don't bite! The best place to start is just to share what you have in mind. Tell them what you’re looking for, when you need it, and anything that will help them understand your goals. Don’t worry if you don’t know the “right” terminology, plain language is totally fine.

If you have a budget or a general range, include it. It helps the artist determine what’s possible and how they can tailor what they do to fit your budget. And because creativity takes time, be sure to confirm their availability and workload.

Here’s a template you can copy and paste in your message to an artist:

Hi [Artist’s Name],

I found you on the Cincinnati Artist Network and love [something specific you like about their work].

I’m interested in working with you on [describe your project — e.g., a live performance, mural, photo shoot, workshop, etc.]. Here are a few details:

Timeline: [When you’d like it to happen or be completed]
Location: [Where it will take place or where the work will live]
Budget range: [artists should be paid for their time and talent]

[Add anything else you’d like the artist to know, like who the work is for and your ultimate goal for the piece, performance, or event.]

Please let me know if this is something you’re available for, and what next steps would be by [DATE]. Looking forward to hearing from you!

Best,
[Your Name]

Still Have Questions?

If you’re new to working with artists, we’d love to help you get started. Visit our FAQ or Contact page and we’ll guide you in the right direction.