ArtClvb

ArtClvb is a Detroit-based market network platform developed to facilitate connections within the art ecosystem, specifically between artists, collectors, curators, and galleries. The company was co-founded by the husband and wife team Steve and Dorota Coy, who are both artists. There is some conflicting information regarding the exact founding year, with sources indicating 2013, 2022 and 2024. The idea stemmed from their own experiences and struggles as artists over 15 years in Detroit, recognizing a widespread need for more accessible avenues for artists to exhibit and sell their work. Dorota Coy, who emigrated from Poland as a child, serves as CEO, while Steve Coy, a metro Detroit native, is the COO. Their artistic background, which includes projects critiquing corporate capitalism under the name Hygienic Dress League, informs the company's mission to create a more equitable model for artists.

The business operates a digital platform, including a website and a mobile application, that functions as a marketplace for original artwork. This platform allows artists to create profiles, showcase their portfolios, and sell their work directly to consumers, thus bypassing the traditional gallery system which can be a barrier for many emerging artists. ArtClvb's revenue is generated by taking a 20% commission on art sales conducted through its platform. It also offers wholesale and profit-sharing models for artists. The price of art on the platform is diverse, ranging from $50 to $60,000, with artists having the final say on pricing after consultation with the ArtClvb team.

Beyond its digital marketplace, ArtClvb emphasizes building a community through in-person events. The company organizes initiatives like "Studio Deals," where collectors can visit artists' studios for direct purchases, and larger events like Art Fair | Detroit to showcase a wide array of talent. These events are designed to make the art world less intimidating and more inclusive for both seasoned collectors and new buyers. The company has fostered strategic partnerships, including a collaboration with furniture retailer Gardner White to feature local artists' work in its downtown Detroit store. ArtClvb is a portfolio company of Red Cedar Ventures and has received funding from angel investors, venture capital, and grants from organizations like TechTown, raising at least $140,000.

Keywords: art marketplace, online art sales, emerging artists, artist platform, Detroit art scene, art tech, direct-to-consumer art, art collecting, contemporary art, artist discovery, art community, art fair, gallery alternative, art investment, Michigan startups, digital art platform, buy art online, support local artists, art ecosystem, art commerce