3 Ideas For Side Gigs To Work While Following Your Artistic Dreams

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3 Ideas for Side Gigs to Work While Following Your Artist Dreams

Being an artist means being fuelled by the drive to create, but often making art doesn’t pay for itself. You may find yourself in need of supplemental income. J.R. Manga presents some side gigs to bring in the extra income you need while leaving you time to keep working on your art.

1. Driving Jobs

If you have a car, there is a huge demand for drivers. This isn’t limited to ride share activities, although you can easily pick up extra cash driving for them. There are a number of other companies that a person with a car can use to make money.

Delivery of food isn’t limited to pizza anymore. Several apps allow workers to earn money by picking up and delivering fast food and takeout to diners at home, and some also have drivers pick up and deliver other goods such as dry cleaning and alcohol. If you don’t mind grocery shopping, InstaCart and Shipt Shopper are options that allow you to get paid for shopping for and delivering groceries.

2. Creating for Print-on-Demand Sites

If you are a digital creator, consider putting your designs on items that can be instantly downloaded or otherwise put on products that you don’t have to manage. As Tech 21 Century points out, there are many print-on-demand sites that allow you to place your designs on anything from greeting cards to shower curtains. This is a great way to earn passive income as once the design is out there, the site takes care of the rest. You can also use these sites to grow your social media following to help you get more commissions or other work.

3. Apply Your Artistry to Another Business

Don't limit yourself to producing one type of art with your creative skills. These skills can be applied elsewhere, which can bring in extra income and give you a variety of outlets for your art. Painters, for instance, can apply their skills on the canvas to painting houses, an often lucrative job. Cake decorators require aesthetic skills, as do interior decorators and makeup artists.

DrawPJ.com notes that many artists earn good money working as tutors in their specific niche. People always need quality private tutors for their children, or you can earn money from making videos giving lessons online. Art studios around the country are open to having guest teachers hold classes. Wine and paint nights are a great way to bring in money while teaching others to paint scenes of their choice in a relaxed environment.

You can also help others learn by writing about your art or process for reputable publications. Sharing your knowledge of your medium with interested parties is a great way to form connections and earn extra cash in the process.

If your side gig grows enough, you may find yourself tempted to start an altogether new business. 
Forming your business structure, whether that be, for example, a corporation or LLC, can be complicated and time-consuming. But you don’t have to take it on yourself, nor do you have to pay a pricey attorney to do the work. Online formation services are a convenient and affordable resource, providing start-up instructions as well as services like registering your business and filing all the required paperwork.

Don't give up on your dream of being an artist. You can make it work even if you have to hold a side job to pursue it. With the right gigs, you can use your skills to increase your income while supporting your creativity and make meaningful connections with other artists in the community.

By Carla Lopez