Comments on: Got any spare art? by Linda Frost http://raggedclothcafe.com/2008/04/23/got-any-spare-art/ Discussions and ideas about art and textile art Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:49:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU By: Sheila http://raggedclothcafe.com/2008/04/23/got-any-spare-art/#comment-1889 Sheila Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:43:38 +0000 http://junomain.wordpress.com/?p=884#comment-1889 I have always believed that any donation, either of material goods or money, should not be driven by what gain we get out of it in terms of a tax deduction. That being said, I do agree that there is an intrinic unfairness in a system that does not allow an artist the same tax break for donating a work of art as the person who buys it and later donates it. But since those are the rules, any time I DO donate a piece of art, I consider several factors borne out of past experience. I DO NOT put in a lot of time on a piece if the auction historically sees these pieces go for a pittance. (i.e., will opt to machine quilt rather than hand quilt) And I consider the audience when deciding what type of art to donate. But in all cases, I consider that the piece of art represents me, and it needs to be, if not my best work, at least something I would not be embarrassed to see hanging somewhere at a later date. I have always believed that any donation, either of material goods or money, should not be driven by what gain we get out of it in terms of a tax deduction. That being said, I do agree that there is an intrinic unfairness in a system that does not allow an artist the same tax break for donating a work of art as the person who buys it and later donates it.

But since those are the rules, any time I DO donate a piece of art, I consider several factors borne out of past experience. I DO NOT put in a lot of time on a piece if the auction historically sees these pieces go for a pittance. (i.e., will opt to machine quilt rather than hand quilt) And I consider the audience when deciding what type of art to donate. But in all cases, I consider that the piece of art represents me, and it needs to be, if not my best work, at least something I would not be embarrassed to see hanging somewhere at a later date.

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