So you may have heard about the Free Art Friday Movement and now you are wondering - what is the point? Aside from just being nice, why do artists do this?  Here is what I have gathered from those I know who have participated.

It is an opportunity to share art with others removing the financial and time constraints from the transaction. It allows people who would not otherwise be able to spend money, or who are perhaps unable to make it to local art shops or shows, the chance to still own a piece of art. The connections of the local artist with their local art lovers and the ability to bring them together in an unimposing public space are a reward in itself. 

The accessibility is unconditional. When the internet is incorporated there is the magic of bringing the artist together with their locals initially from and then away from the internet which is another great connection. It is not unheard of for a public hand-to-hand Free Art Friday transaction to occur either. An artist can strike up a conversation and talk about their art and if they see the other person have a true interest, offer their free art piece. 

My World Reaches by asboluv

For the most part, it is simply FUN. And at the end of the day both parties are happier for it. The artist knows that something they created has a home with a philanthropic association. It makes for a great story, so the art and artist are going to be talked about. It is much like a free sample. It serves as a fun activity, like a game, which gets you out and about searching for art-treasures hidden in public places. 


To find out more about this art movement in your area, I suggest doing a search for “free art Friday (name of your city).” This movement has rippled all over the world, and sometimes involves a group decorating a public area together all at once or sometimes it is held on different days. "Free Art Night" is about as popular as Free Art Friday. It is NOT an exclusive group or movement - Anyone is welcome to join in. 


To learn more about the Free Art Friday Movement Click Here.

Free Art Friday is a movement where artists gift pieces of original art to the public.  You may associate it with Random Acts of Kindness. The idea is to bring some joy to someone by brightening up their day with a piece of art that upon finding, they can keep it or leave it.  It is not a secret event and you can, as an artist, decide to do it on your own in your own way. However, in order to be part of a group of artists that have an organized approach to the event, you do need to make connections within the local art community. 

Give Me Wings by asboluv

Typically it is organized by an artist collective or sometimes an art supply store or someone who is otherwise connected to the local art scene.  This will vary from town to town, city to city. In order to be a finder, you may be “in the know” about the local organized event, or just happen to find the art by chance.  

Artists have been leaving art out for many years, however, the modern version of the Free Art Movement and the coining the phrase of "Free Art Friday" is attributed to online artist My Dog Sighs, a.k.a. MDS. Back in 2006 he started his group on Flickr which has carried on the tradition ever since. Here is the Free Art Friday Facebook page.   

Here is how it works for artists:

• Chose a piece of art to give away.
• Write on an attached note "free art for the finder to own and enjoy." By choice you can include name, website, email, etc. If participating on social media, you may want to give @names and #hashtags to enable the finder to thank you or give a shout out on social media should they desire to do so. 
• Place the art somewhere in public either outside or indoors, the how and where is entirely up to you. You can hide it or leave it in an obvious location.
• Some make a scavenger-hunt game of it leaving clues on Twitter, Facebook, and more recently Instagram (which can also be shared to the aforementioned social media).

Not So Empty Shop Window by asboluv

For those who wish to scavenge up some local art, just follow the artists! Something important to keep in mind, is what Free Art Friday is NOT.  When the word "free" is used some folks can get carried away, so please keep in mind that it is not meant to exploit the generosity of local artists. Please don't be a greedy art-hoarder. Also, know that a copyright is not transferred in the free transaction, so do not pick up an art drop with the intent to reproduce the art image. The intellectual property belongs to the artist themselves only.

To find out why artists participate in Free Art movements Click Here.


Share your thoughts and experiences with Free Art Friday.  Have you participated? Are you going to?