Cowgirl Art Collective
Artist FAQ
What is Cowgirl Art Collective?
Cowgirl Art Collective is a curated retail gallery dedicated to showcasing Western and cowgirl artists. We operate as a professional retail business, not a co-op or booth rental space.
Inventory is accepted through a selective approval process to ensure quality, cohesion, and a strong retail experience.
How can I apply to have my work included in the Cowgirl Art Collective?
Apply HERE
Is this a consignment gallery or wholesale?
The brick and mortar retail space operates on a consignment model.
Artists retain ownership of their work until it sells. Cowgirl Art Collective does not purchase inventory outright outside of product for the Cowgirl Art Box Subscription Box. The Cowgirl Art Collective does not rent out floor space.
How does commission work?
Our standard commission structure ranges from 40 to 50 percent, depending on item category, size, price point, and sales channel.
Commission rates are communicated and agreed upon before inventory is accepted.
Do you offer special programs or different commission structures for some artists?
Cowgirl Art Collective may offer limited programs or initiatives for select artists based on inventory category, operational needs, or long-term collaboration. Participation in any special program is by invitation only and offered at the Collective’s discretion.
Program participation, terms, and commission structures may vary and are not guaranteed. The existence of a special program does not establish precedent or imply eligibility for all artists.
When and how do I get paid?
Artist payouts are issued on a net 30 basis, calculated from the end of the month in which a sale is completed, once the customer’s payment has fully cleared.
Early, partial, or advance payouts are not available.
What does net 30 actually mean?
Net 30 means artist payouts are issued within 30 days after the end of the month in which a sale occurs.
Example:
If your work sells on March 10, that sale closes at the end of March. Your payout will be issued by the end of April.
This schedule allows time for payment processing, potential chargebacks, accurate accounting, and is a standard practice for art galleries.
Who sets pricing?
Artists submit proposed retail pricing, which is commission-inclusive and reflects the final retail price to the customer, for approval. The price you submit is the price the customer sees. The applicable commission rate is deducted from the retail sale price at payout.
Pricing must be consistent with other sales channels or reflect exclusive versions created for the Collective.
Pricing changes require written approval and must be processed through our point-of-sale system.
How can I see what items have sold?
Artists have access to an artist portal connected to the Cowgirl Art Collective point-of-sale and inventory system.
Through the portal, artists can:
- View which items have sold
- See current inventory on hand
- Review payout summaries tied to completed sales
Login credentials and access instructions are provided once inventory is accepted and entered into the system.
Please note:
- Sales data reflects completed transactions processed through the POS
- The portal is for visibility and reporting only; pricing changes, inventory updates, and payouts are managed by the Collective
Can my work go on sale?
Yes. Cowgirl Art Collective may offer discounts of up to 10 percent at its discretion, which is split by the Cowgirl Art Collective and artist. Larger discounts may be applied by artist request or require artist approval. All promotions and sales are managed by the Collective.
Artists may not independently discount, negotiate pricing, or alter tags.
How long will my work be displayed?
Inventory is reviewed approximately every 90 days. Placement duration is not guaranteed. Items may be rotated based on performance, condition, seasonal needs, or space considerations.
What happens if my work does not sell?
If work is not performing, we may request refreshed inventory, pricing adjustment, rotate pieces out, or coordinate return. Our goal is to keep the gallery fresh, balanced, and successful for everyone.
Who handles shipping?
Artists are responsible for sending or delivering work to the Collective, and for return shipping of unsold items. Cowgirl Art Collective manages shipping logistics and costs for items sold to buyers.
Are my items insured?
The Collective maintains general business insurance and takes reasonable care of consigned items. Artists are strongly encouraged to carry their own insurance for additional protection.
Are sales final?
Yes. Due to the nature of original and handmade work, all sales are final except where required by law or in cases of verified damage discovered at purchase.
What happens after my work sells?
Once a piece sells, title transfers to the buyer. Questions related to care, use, maintenance, customization, or future work are handled directly by the Artist.
Do you guarantee sales or placement?
No. Participation does not guarantee sales volume, placement length, or income. We actively curate, market, and manage the shop to support artist success, but results vary.
What marketing does Cowgirl Art Collective provide?
We promote artists and inventory through in-store displays, website features, email marketing, social media, and special events.
Promotion types may include featured displays, artist spotlights, product highlights, or seasonal campaigns. Feature frequency and placement are not guaranteed and may vary based on inventory availability, sales performance, seasonal relevance, new releases, and overall curation needs.
Promotion decisions are made in support of the gallery as a whole.
How often will my work be featured or promoted?
There is no set schedule for artist features.
Featured placements are determined by factors such as:
- Inventory availability
- Sales performance
- Seasonal relevance
- New or refreshed work
- Balance and flow of the gallery
Not all artists are featured at the same frequency. Features are strategic, not rotational or guaranteed.
What materials do I need to provide?
Artists are required to provide:
- A short artist biography
- At least one clear photo of the artist
- High-quality photos of consigned work
These materials are used for artist cards, displays, website features, email marketing, social media, and press.
When is inventory needed for the April opening?
To be considered for placement in the April opening of Cowgirl Art Collective, approved inventory must be received by mid-March.
This allows time for:
- intake and tagging
- merchandising and display
- photography and promotion
- operational preparation
Inventory received after this window may be scheduled for later placement or rotation.
Can I submit inventory after the opening?
Yes. Inventory submissions are accepted on an ongoing basis, subject to approval, space availability, and curation needs.
Can I include my own price tags, QR codes, or business cards?
No. Only Cowgirl Art Collective–issued pricing tags and labels may be used. Artist-provided tags, QR codes, or pricing materials are not permitted. All sales must be processed through the Collective’s point-of-sale system.
Can I sell the same work elsewhere?
Yes, as long as pricing remains consistent or the items are exclusive versions created for the Collective. Identical or substantially similar items may not be sold elsewhere at a lower price during the consignment term.
What happens when the founding phase ends?
Founding Artist commission rates apply during the initial launch phase. Once the gallery is established and operating under standard retail conditions, commission structures transition to standard rates. Artists are notified in advance of any changes.
What happens if I want to leave the gallery?
Artists may request return of unsold inventory in accordance with the Agreement. Pickup must be scheduled within the designated retrieval window.
What are Maker Meetups?
Maker Meetups are once-a-month, informal creative gatherings held at the Cowgirl Art Collective retail shop in our workshop space. These meetups are designed to give creatives a place to connect, work alongside one another, and spend time in a shared creative environment.
Maker Meetups are:
- Free for Cowgirl Art Collective artists
- Free for Rusted Roan online members
- Open to other creatives for a small attendance fee
Meetups are not instructional workshops. Attendees are welcome to bring their own projects, visit, connect with other creatives, and shop in the gallery if they choose.
Participation is optional and does not affect gallery placement, promotion, or artist agreements.
Cowgirl Art Box ™
What is the Cowgirl Art Box?
The Cowgirl Art Box is a curated subscription box featuring Western and cowgirl art, goods, and creative products from independent artists. Each release highlights a rotating group of artists and is curated as a unique collection.
Boxes are designed to introduce new customers to artists, expand reach beyond the gallery, and support working creatives.
How often is the Cowgirl Art Box released?
The Cowgirl Art Box is released on a quarterly basis. Each quarter is curated independently with its own theme, artist lineup, and product mix.
Is every box the same?
No. Box contents vary by release, and featured artists rotate.
Each quarterly box is curated around a shared concept or theme, but specific artists, items, and variations may differ. This allows us to feature more artists and manage inventory realistically.
How are artists selected for the Cowgirl Art Box?
Artists are selected by invitation or application, based on:
- Fit with the box theme
- Product type and scale
- Production capacity
- Quality and consistency
- Alignment with Cowgirl Art Collective standards
Participation in one box does not guarantee inclusion in future boxes.
Is the Cowgirl Art Box consignment or wholesale?
The Cowgirl Art Box operates on a direct purchase (wholesale-style) model, not consignment.
Cowgirl Art Collective purchases the agreed-upon quantity of product directly from the artist for each release.
How are artists paid?
Artists are paid for the products purchased for the Cowgirl Art Box at pre-agreed pricing.
Pricing, quantities, and payment timing are confirmed in writing before production begins. Once terms are agreed upon, Cowgirl Art Collective is responsible for payment for the purchased items.
When are artists paid?
Payment timing is confirmed per release and documented in the artist’s box participation agreement. Payment is not dependent on when boxes sell or ship to customers.
Who pays for shipping?
Artist → Cowgirl Art Collective:
The Cowgirl Art Collective covers shipping only for the items purchased at wholesale for the Cowgirl Art Box unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Cowgirl Art Collective → Customers:
Cowgirl Art Collective handles all customer fulfillment. Customers pay for shipping of their Cowgirl Art Box at checkout, or they may choose local pickup at the Cowgirl Art Collective retail store in Virginia City, Nevada, when available.
Artists are not responsible for shipping boxes to customers.
Do artists need to handle customer service, returns, or issues?
No. Cowgirl Art Collective manages all customer fulfillment, shipping, and customer service related to the Cowgirl Art Box.
Artists are not responsible for customer communication or post-sale issues.
What kinds of products work best for the box?
Products that typically work well include:
- Small, lightweight, shippable items
- Functional or giftable goods
- Prints or paper goods
- Accessories or limited-run items
- Artist-designed products produced in small batches
All products are subject to final approval.
Are products exclusive to the Cowgirl Art Box?
Exclusivity varies by release. Some items may be exclusive to the Cowgirl Art Box, while others may be offered elsewhere by the artist. Exclusivity is discussed and agreed upon in advance.
Will my work be credited or promoted?
Yes. Featured artists are credited through box inserts and/or online promotion at the Collective’s discretion.
Promotion may include:
- Social media mentions
- Website features
- Email highlights
- Printed promotional materials included in the box
Promotion frequency and placement are not guaranteed and vary by release.
Can I include business cards or promotional materials in the box?
Any inserts, cards, or promotional materials must be approved in advance. Unapproved materials will not be included.
Can I be featured again in future boxes?
Artists may be considered for future releases, but inclusion is not guaranteed. Each box is curated independently.
Does participation in the Cowgirl Art Box guarantee gallery placement?
No. Participation in the Cowgirl Art Box does not guarantee gallery representation or inclusion in other Cowgirl Art Collective programs.
Who do I contact with questions?
All questions should be directed to Cowgirl Art Collective via email at info@cowgirlartcollective.com