ArtsALLY.com – Disrupting the local art market

Bare walls and generic art prints make way – ArtsALLY.com launched today in Vancouver to bridge the gap between local creators and consumers.

Thanks to this hyperlocal Gastown startup, discovering works of original art and giving our local creative economy a boost have never been easier. As of today, there are hundreds of works by dozens of Vancouver artists up on ArtsALLY.com that can be rented or purchased online.

Here’s how it works: Select your art and ArtsALLY will let you know when it’s ready to be picked up in Gastown or delivered to your door (free in Vancouver) – typically, you’ll receive your art within 48 hours. Convert rental art to a purchase within the first month and don’t pay for the rental; otherwise, appreciate the art for three months, or more, and switch it up when you’re ready. Flexibility and convenience are key to how ArtsALLY is breaking down barriers for people to commit to local art.

ArtsALLY.com emerged from a set of problems: mass produced art prints absorbing local wealth – even in a “buy local” hub like Vancouver; art galleries that felt intimidating to many art appreciators; and a large group of  talented Vancouver artists actively seeking new ways connect with a broader local audience.

Inspired by local art start-ups in London and New York and shared economy portals like AirBnB, ArtsALLY emerged from a small founding team with three big goals:

• Make Connections ‒ To help people discover local art they love.
• Support Artists ‒ To reach more people and sell their work.
• Build Community ‒ That advocates for local art online and offline.

Towards these goals, ArtsALLY is working with businesses interested in rotating office art displays that engage employees and inspire creativity. Businesses can subscribe to be a business ally and an ArtsALLY representatives will deliver and rotate local art tailored to the team’s preferences.

While ArtsALLY will always be hyper-local, the team plans to bring the website and model to cities across Canada to bolster their respective arts communities. In the meantime, ArtsALLY continues to welcome new Vancouver artists to submit an application online by signing up and creating a profile.

Any art appreciator or business can join ArtsALLY’s growing community by signing up on ArtsALLY.com. Also, connect via Twitter (@artsallyvan) and Facebook (Arts ALLY Vancouver).