2023 Auction
About the auction
We are excited to announce that the Firstdraft Auction will be returning in 2023, and will again take place online and onsite, culminating in an Artist Party during the final hours of bidding.
The Firstdraft Auction is our most important fundraising initiative, and an annual survey of some of the most exciting art and artists nationally. 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
Ideally confirm participation by: Friday 9th June
Complete Artwork Consignment Form by: Monday 12th June
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 15th July
We can receive artworks via three methods, please read ‘Shipping and production’.Free artwork collection by Friendly Moving Men: Friday 14th and Saturday 15th July
(Available for Metropolitan and Greater Sydney artists only)In-person artwork drop-off at Firstdraft: Friday 14th and Saturday 15th July
(Metropolitan and Greater Sydney artists)Posted or couriered works must be received by: Friday 14th July
(E.g. for regional, interstate, or international artists. Freight or postage cost can be paid or reimbursed by Firstdraft.)
Online auction goes live: Friday 28th July
Online auction duration: Friday 28th July - Friday 4th August
In-person Firstdraft Auction exhibition open : Wednesday 2nd August - Friday 4th August
Firstdraft Auction Artist Party: 6–10pm Friday 4th August
Online and In-person Firstdraft Auction closes: 10pm Friday 4th August
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 online for 8 days. The in-person Auction exhibition will be open to the public for 3 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 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?
As we are a small team with limited resources for installation and freight, we ask that artists propose a small to medium work (i.e. no larger than 85cm on any given side) that does not require building a custom crate. We also encourage experimental practitioners and video artists to consider proposing a printed edition of a video still or something similar.
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.
If you are unsure about what artwork to select or have questions about the work you have selected, we encourage you to contact Firstdraft at auction@firstdraft.org.au or by calling +61 2 8970 2999.
What does an online auction look like?
Here you can view links to our 2022 Firstdraft Auction, 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?
This year we ask that artists only propose one work for inclusion in the Firstdraft Auction. You may also submit an additional work for consideration in the Mystery Safe Raffle.
What is the Mystery Safe Raffle?
If you would like to submit an additional work, then you can nominate it to be included in the Mystery Safe Raffle. If selected, we will purchase this artwork at the reserve price you have nominated, plus 25%. The Firstdraft Auction Mystery Safe will include additional artworks from artists in the Firstdraft Auction, for which we sell raffle tickets for $25 each. This is a low-stakes initiative that enables punters of all different backgrounds to take part in the auction, and hopefully win an artwork! A big key to the success of the Mystery Safe is that we don't reveal the participating artists or artworks that are up for grabs until the very last moment. Feel free to propose an additional artwork and we will be in contact if you have been selected. Unfortunately not all artworks nominated for the Mystery Safe Raffle will be able to be included in this section of the 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 14 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?
Firstdraft’s staff and volunteer Board of 10 Co-directors organise the auction, assisted by casual contractors and staff, as well as a wide variety of partners who 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 we are able to offer artists free drop-off, pickup or delivery methods to participating auction artists.
For Sydney based artists we offer the below 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 14th and Saturday 15th July.
With the following methods, Firstdraft will offer you reimbursement:
You can mail it via Australia Post with a tracking number.
You can use a regular courier service. If this is your preferred shipping method, we will be in touch to coordinate.
If you elect to utilise either of the above methods Firstdraft will contact you after you complete your consignment form. If you have any specific questions prior to arranging shipment, we can be contacted via freight@firstdraft.org.au or by calling +61 2 8970 2999.
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 (of which you receive 50%). 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 Firstdraft at auction@firstdraft.org.au or by calling +61 2 8970 2999 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 Firstdraft at auction@firstdraft.org.au or by calling +61 2 8970 2999, before the first bid is placed on your work.
We also offer a ‘Buy it now’ initiative, 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 commission for the Firstdraft Auction 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.