What is the best way to put on an art show silent auction?

Question

I'm putting on a fundraiser and don't know exactly the best way to do a silent auction.

All proceeds go to Invisible Children organization.

It's going to be inside and there is going to be all types of media (i.e. paint, graphite, jewelry)

Answer 1

Number one - Find volunteers to help - many of them.

Two - accquire donations from artists. Arrange to pick these items up. Give the artist an official receipt for the price of the item to be used as a tax write-off. Ask the artist if they wish to place a reserve bid on the item - often 50% of its price (so people don't go home with a $500 painting for $20... this is an insult, and it devalues art!). If the art doesn't sell, it goes back to the artist ASAP.

Show items nicely displayed on well-lit tables, on easels so the art is eye-level, or on the wall at eye-level. Each item has a sheet of paper with the item well described, the name of the artist, reserve bid if any, and value of item. Below are lines where people write their name, address, phone # and bid.

Serve wine/liquor, and finger foods if you can, and provide live (gentle) music if possible. Ask around to get all this for free.

Make sure EVERYONE who contributes gets well-advertised.

Complete the auction at a set time, an hour or so before the evening ends. Make regular announcements that there is only (one hour, half an hour, etc) left to bid on certain items - this creates a "feeding frenzy".

If you can keep patrons at the event, it will be easier to collect their money.

Be sure to send thank-you notes to EVERYONE - the next day!

Have fun and good fortune.

Answer 2

idk :]