If you do an internet search related to the accessibility of art, you’ll get a number of links about “rejecting the stuffiness” or “challenging elitism in the art world.” And that mindset appears to be the ethos at the heart of the majority of franchise brands in the industry. Bringing art to the masses is a major goal of art franchises. Consider the following statements from three art franchises.
Carré d’artistes: “We are convinced that art brings beauty to everyday life and we want as many people as possible to enjoy it. We want to make people laugh, we want to surprise them, we want to thrill them. Our mission: to make art part of your everyday life by making it accessible.”
Créatif Art Studio: “At Creatif, we understand that everyone loves art. Créatif is all about providing an experience that encourages imagination and creativity. Our mission is to bring the love of art back to our communities and we are seeking motivated entrepreneurs to join our mission.”
Hawaii Fluid Art: “Capitalizing on the growing popularity of acrylic painting, Hawaii Fluid Art takes the mystery, expense and mess out the craft.”
Below, read how franchises in the industry are doing their part to open up the world of art to more people and, in the process, how they are helping those people.
Helping Children Express Themselves
In addition to being common places for celebrations like birthday parties, art franchises can provide benefits far beyond being somewhere they have a good time.
Many art franchise concepts revolve around providing kids an outlet to express themselves. “Early art education helps them learn to make their mark on the world in ways that people will appreciate,” says Dr. Kerry Freedman, Head of Art and Design Education at Northern Illinois University.
Art is part of the STEAM philosophy on learning: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. An evolution of the STEM philosophy, the addition of arts to the more technical areas of education reflects the importance of creativity and innovation in problem solving. It has been said that art helps children express what they cannot verbally, giving them a constructive outlet for their feelings. Art also has been found to aid in children's emotional development, helping them learn about teamwork and consideration for others.
Art as Entertainment…and Stress Relief for Adults
Adults across the United States are increasingly engaging in craft activities as a way to lessen their stress and find their “happy place.”
Studies have shown that crafting and related activities can reduce the chance of developing “mild cognitive impairments” by up to 50%. This benefit is in addition to the commonly cited benefits of crafting: easing stress and increasing happiness, along with being a coping mechanism for those who suffer from anxiety and depression.
The reason, according to psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, is that while crafting the participant’s existence outside of the activity becomes “temporarily suspended,” allowing for a period of respite that aids in the person returning to a more neutral mental state. “He doesn't have enough attention left over to monitor how his body feels, or his problems at home,” Csikszentmihalyi said in a TED talk while speaking of a person performing a craft. “He can't feel if he's hungry or tired. His body disappears.”
Within franchising, one area the adult crafting pastime has taken hold is painting classes, sometimes referred to as “paint and sip” franchises.
Friends. Wine. Paint. Creating art has become a social activity for grown-ups. A way to unwind, relax or celebrate in a different (and typically not-too-expensive) way. Traditionally the domain of kids’ birthday parties and summer camps, painting and other crafting class providers are expanding their services to customers of all ages by tweaking their established formulas to accommodate more mature markets.
According to the NPD Group, painting nights and related entertainment activities will continue to expand for the foreseeable future – and not just for the private consumer market segment. Corporate consumers looking for ways to keep their employees engaged with their workplaces will also be a target market for these programs.
Why is this franchise industry segment so attractive to franchisees and their customers? “They want to do something for themselves, and something that’s fun,” a marketing manager for Pinot’s Palette once said in a Forbes article. “[The franchisee’s] role is to have a party every night — and that’s attractive to people leaving the corporate sector. And everyone wants to do something new and fun, so for patrons, this is a little different.”
Initial Investment and Opening Costs for Art Franchises
The amount necessary to open a franchise varies depending on the unique business system and execution requirements. The initial investment required for an art franchise can range from a low in the tens of thousands to a high in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, mostly dependent on real estate costs.
Our franchise profiles will present you with a basic range for the initial investment or minimum cash required to open a franchise. But when it comes to finding out the details of an initial investment, the FDD is the best place to look. Franchisors offer itemized estimates in their FDD based upon their experience establishing, and in some cases operating, units.
Keep in mind these estimates are just that, though—an estimate. Prospective franchisees should review the figures presented with a business advisor, taking into consideration their unique circumstances, before making the decision to enter into a franchise agreement.
Ongoing Costs for Art Franchises
Don’t forget about the additional costs required for nearly all franchise businesses. This includes expenses such as royalty fees, marketing fees, software fees, training fees, and more.
The most common is the royalty fee. Royalty fees are assessed for the continued use of the franchisor’s trademarks and patented processes, along with certain types of operational support. In addition to regularly assessed fees, other fees are charged on an “as needed” basis such as audit fees, or costs for additional, non-mandatory, training.
It’s important to note that while many initial and ongoing costs are detailed in the FDD, there are some costs inherent to business ownership, like employee wages or utility costs, that aren’t.
You can also check out many more exciting Entertainment Franchises here on Franchise Direct.