2022 Auction
About the auction
This year, we are celebrating the 13th Anniversary of the Firstdraft Auction, and are excited to announce that in addition to the hugely successful online auction, we will also be returning back to site!
The Firstdraft Auction is our most important fundraising initiative, and an annual survey of some of the most exciting art and artists from across Australia. Since 2009, artists from across Australia and around the world – many of whom received early-career support through Firstdraft – have contributed artworks to be sold at our annual fundraising auction. It is a diverse and intergenerational platform for artists to connect with a passionate community of collectors, while supporting new generations of practitioners.
Artists receive commission on the sale of their contributions, and all profit supports Firstdraft’s free exhibitions and provides fees for the hundreds of artists, curators and writers who participate in our program each year. It is a time for us to come together each year and celebrate artists supporting artists.
Key dates
Confirm participation by: Friday 30 September
Complete Artwork Consignment Form by: Friday 7 October
When you confirm your participation, we will send you a link to the form to complete.All artworks must be received at Firstdraft: by Saturday 22 October
We can receive artworks via three methods, please read ‘Shipping and production’.Free artwork collection by Friendly Moving Men: Friday 21 – Saturday 22 October
(Available for Metropolitan and Greater Sydney artists only)In-person artwork drop-off at Firstdraft: Friday 21 – Saturday 22 October
(Metropolitan and Greater Sydney artists)Posted or couriered works must be received by: Friday 21 October
(E.g. for regional, interstate, or international artists. Freight or postage cost can be paid or reimbursed by Firstdraft.)
Online auction goes live: Friday 11 November
Online auction duration: Friday 11 – Friday 18 November
Firstdraft Auction Artists Party: 6–10pm Friday 18 November
Firstdraft Auction closes: 10pm Friday 18 November
Frequently asked questions
General
How does it work?
You consign a work to Firstdraft for sale during the Firstdraft Auction. We then manage and facilitate the sale of that work: including registration, documentation, marketing, sales and distribution.
Bidding for artworks in the Firstdraft Auction take place via an online auction platform, separate to the main Firstdraft website. Audiences are invited to register to bid on artworks, which are available to view for 8 days.
I would like to contribute to the auction. What do I need to do?
Reply to the email you received to confirm that you would like to participate in the auction, and we will send you a link to an online form. This is a consignment form and acts as a contract between you and Firstdraft, and ensures that we receive all the required information from you to include your artwork/s in the Firstdraft Auction.
In this form you will be asked details, such as your name and the title of your work, some information about you (your artist bio), and some information about your artwork/s including the reserve price. We’ll also ask you how you intend to get your work to Firstdraft – based on the information you provide here, we may or may not need to reach out to you to coordinate.
What kind of artworks do you accept for the Firstdraft Auction?
We welcome artworks of all mediums and sizes.
As well as the above, we encourage artists to consider factors such as the value of their work, their professional career stage, and if they have nascent or established networks of collectors. Small to medium works are always popular, but we have also sold larger and heavier works in the past. Video artworks can be challenging (though not impossible) to find a home for – in this instance, we encourage artists to consider something like a printed edition of a video still.
If you are unsure about what artwork to select or have questions about the work you have selected, we encourage you to contact JD Reforma, Communications and Development Manager, via email or by calling +61 415 224 194.
What does an online auction look like?
Here you can view links to our 2021 Firstdraft Auction and 2020 Firstdraft Auction.
Does it have to be new work?
You can contribute artwork produced at any time, it doesn’t have to be new!
I have gallery representation – can I contribute work to the Firstdraft Auction?
This depends on your agreement with your representative gallery. We encourage you to discuss with your representative/s before contributing artwork/s to the Firstdraft Auction. Any fees payable to your representatives are your responsibility to coordinate.
Can I contribute more than one artwork?
Yes! Artists can contribute up to three artworks to Firstdraft for sale during the Firstdraft Auction.
How does Firstdraft promote my artwork?
The Firstdraft Auction is promoted broadly across our channels – our websites, social media, and newsletter, as well as through our media and peer networks. The online auction is viewed by over 100,000 unique visitors to the auction platform. The live event, which is held on one night at the end of the auction, is attended by over 300 people in person.
We will also facilitate artists by providing professional documentation and advice on co-promoting their artwork on their own channels.
Who is asked to contribute to the Firstdraft Auction?
Over 13 years, Firstdraft has built up a diverse and intergenerational network of artists from our community including those who have exhibited at Firstdraft, and those who may have worked here or participated in some capacity currently or in the past. Many of the artists in the auction participate every year; for others this may be their first time.
Who runs the auction?
The Firstdraft team consists of two full-time staff, one part-time staff, a volunteer Board of 8–10 Co-directors, and casual weekend staff. The staff team lead the organisation of the auction, assisted by casual contractors and staff, as well as a wide variety of partners that support elements such as design, logistics, production, and administration.
Shipping and production
How do I get my artwork/s to you?
We understand the cost that artists incur to participate in the Firstdraft Auction, so for the first time, we are able to offer artists free drop-off, pickup or delivery methods to participating auction artists.
Free methods:
You can drop it off in person on the dates allocated above under ‘Key Dates’.
You can have it collected by Firstdraft’s Logistics Partner Friendly Moving Men on either Friday 21 or Saturday 22 October.
With the following methods, Firstdraft may pay the amount upfront or offer you reimbursement:
You can mail it via Australia Post with a tracking number.
You can use a regular courier service (e.g. Pack & Send) or an artwork courier service (e.g. International Art Services).
If you elect to utilise either of the above methods Kiera Brew Kurec, Gallery Operations Coordinator, will contact you after you complete your consignment form. If you have any specific questions prior to arranging shipment, she can be contacted via email or by calling +61 416 089 125.
If you are seeking reimbursement, please keep your receipts and supply a copy (e.g. a photograph, scan or screenshot) of the receipt/s with your invoice.
After the auction, if your artwork/s is/are unsold:
Firstdraft will return the artwork to you for free. Depending on the nature of your work, this will be facilitated either by mail, courier or via our Logistics Partner, or you can pick it up for free from Firstdraft.
Does Firstdraft pay for the printing, production, or framing of my work?
As our organisation grows, we know we can always support artists more. At this stage, however, we cannot provide financial assistance for the production of artworks contributed to the Firstdraft Auction.
Does my work need to be framed?
No, your artwork does not need to be framed. We frequently sell unframed works at the Firstdraft Auction.
How should my work be prepared for the Firstdraft Auction?
Please have your work ready for installation, including any D-rings or hanging wire, and the orientation of the work clearly marked. In the consignment form there will also be a section for you to add detailed installation notes if required.
Financial
Who buys artwork at the Firstdraft Auction?
As well as established and experienced collectors, many people begin their art collecting journey at the Firstdraft Auction. Our community buys work at the Firstdraft Auction for two reasons: to support artists and to support Firstdraft.
What do I receive?
Artists receive a 50% commission of the final sale price of their work. We also share professional documentation images with every participating artist, and share tips and information about how they can co-promote their work on their own channels. Once we receive your work, we manage everything from wrapping, freight, sales, marketing, invoicing and distribution.
Artists that attend the Artists Party will also be given two free drink vouchers each.
I’m not sure how to value my work. What are some factors I should consider, and can Firstdraft help me?
We will request artists to nominate the minimum value for which they are willing to sell their artwork – e.g. $1,000 – which is called the reserve. The same factors that influence your selection of a specific artwork – size, material, and the stage of your career – may also influence the reserve you propose.
Firstdraft reviews all the reserves nominated by artists to ensure you are neither undervaluing your work, nor nominating a value that may be above what is achievable through the Firstdraft Auction. Generally, we encourage artists to contact us first if they intend to contribute artworks where the reserve price is over $3,000.
If you are unsure about how to value your work, you can contact JD Reforma, Communications and Development Manager, via email or by calling +61 415 224 194 to discuss what might be a good starting price.
How does Firstdraft calculate the starting price of my artwork?
We set the reserve as your starting price. As above, we’ll also review all reserves and work with any artist to ensure your reserve is neither too low or too high.
How and when do I receive payment for my artwork once it has been sold?
If your work is sold during the auction, we will ask you to provide an itemised invoice for your 50% commission of the sale price + any shipping cost you incurred.
If your work is unsold during the auction, we will ask you to provide an itemised invoice for any shipping costs you incurred.
If your invoice includes any reimbursements for shipping, we will request a copy of the payment receipts along with your invoice.
We will promptly request invoices from artists at the close of the auction.
What if my work doesn’t sell? Can I lower the price of my work?
We understand that there are many reasons for which an artwork may not sell, and we’ll work actively with artists in this scenario to ensure the best possible result. There are a number of options available to artists if their work does not receive bids, for example:
Some artists have elected in the past to lower the starting price of their work – you may do this at any time by contacting JD Reforma, Communications and Development Manager, via email or by calling +61 415 224 194, before the first bid is placed on your work.
Firstdraft is introducing a new promotion, called ‘Buy it now’, which artists can opt-in for when they are completing their consignment forms. For those artists who opt-in, this means that in the final moments of the auction, artworks without bids will be promoted as ‘Buy it now’ – which means that buyers can purchase artworks for the starting/reserve price. Only those artists who elect this option will be included in this promotion.
If your work is not sold, and you don’t wish to participate in the ‘Buy it now’ promotion, then we will simply hold your work until it is ready to be collected or can be freighted back to you at no cost.
How does Firstdraft use the funds raised?
In the last two years, Firstdraft has permanently increased artists commissions to 50%. This ensures that artists are fairly remunerated for the time that they have invested in producing their work.
The remaining money raised pays for fees to all the artists, writers, and curators that participate in our annual program – across exhibitions, live events, and digital programs – as well as many of our operating costs. It also pays casual staff that are employed throughout the year. The auction itself also costs money to present – from platform fees, casual contractors, accounting fees, partnership fees, freight, design, production, exhibition installation, and documentation.
We always aim to increase the money we raise so we can continue to pay these fees and increase investment in the programs, services, and opportunities that we can provide to our community, as well as improve the experience of the auction each year.
Can I receive a tax deductible gift receipt for my contribution?
Artists can choose to donate their sales commission to Firstdraft instead of collecting it. Firstdraft is registered as a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR), which means you will receive a tax deductible gift receipt for the value of the donation.
For example, proceeds from artwork sales are normally calculated as follows: 50% to the artist and 50% to Firstdraft. If your work sells for $1,000, then $500 of this is retained by Firstdraft and is not considered a donation. However, in this example, if the artist chooses to donate their sales commission of $500, then you will be able to receive a tax deductible gift receipt on this amount only.
I am GST registered – how do I invoice you for my commission payment?
If you are registered for GST, you would charge GST on your sales commission. For example, if your artwork sells for $1,000 – you will receive $500 as a sales commission, and therefore your total amount on the invoice would be $550 ($500 sales commission + 10% GST).
What if I don’t have an ABN?
If you don’t have an ABN and your work is sold, you will need to complete a Statement by a Supplier form, and provide this along with an invoice as above.