What does gallery representation mean for an artist?
When an artist is represented by a gallery, he or she has to pay a part of the profit as commission for every sold artwork. The amount varies from gallery to gallery and is usually decided upon by both parties and drafted into a secure contract. If you are an independent artist, the entire amount comes to you.
How do artists get their work into galleries?
The primary way that galleries choose artists is through relationships. That means that either someone introduced them to the artist’s work or they met the artist first and then were introduced to the work. If you’ve identified an art gallery that would make a good fit for you, develop a relationship with them.
How do you attract artists to your gallery?
Here are some simple tips on marketing your art gallery online.
- Champion your artists. You’ve chosen to work with particular artists for a reason, so share this with your audience.
- Offer thought leadership.
- Talk to your audience.
- Get a full visual effect.
- Attract visitors to upcoming events.
What makes a successful art gallery?
In collaboration with many collectors and artists, “gallery owners” have also defined a set of criteria for evaluating the professionalism of galleries: loyalty to artists, commitment to their success, ethics, accessibility to the public, provision of services to collectors and more.
How does an art gallery make money?
Sales commission Commission is the percentage of the art sale price that a gallery keeps, with the remainder being paid to the artist. It can vary wildly from gallery to gallery, but around 40–50% is average, although I have seen commission as low as 10%, and heard about commission as high as 70%.
How do I approach my art to a gallery?
How Do I Approach a Gallery?
- Do not show up on weekends or evenings. Instead, choose a time that is less busy for the business like a weekday afternoon.
- Do not take original pieces of work.
- Look the ‘part’ of an artist.
- It may be best to call and ask for an appointment with bigger galleries.
What percentage does a gallery take?
50%
Every gallery is different, but most galleries take somewhere around a 50% commission from pieces you sell. Some take 40%, but rarely do any take more than 50%. Some galleries take a very small percentage in exchange for a monthly payment. Say it costs $300/mo to display in the gallery, but they only take 30%.
What should I do if I want to be represented in a gallery?
When you’re looking for gallery representation, it can be tempting to visit a gallery you’re interested in. It’s nice to show respect for the gallery and the artists represented there. If you do visit, make sure to announce that you are an artist – but don’t ask to show your work.
What to expect from an art gallery owner?
When gallery owners do a studio visit, they focus on more than just the art. They want to know how the artist operates as a person. Be sure to be gracious and spend more time listening than speaking. This shows an art dealer that you have it together and you are not a risk.
Can a self taught artist get gallery representation?
But whether you’re entering the art world as a self-taught creative or an MFA graduate, the road to finding representation can be perplexing. It’s no longer appropriate to stride into a gallery wielding your portfolio, expecting to be discovered—so how do you land on the radar of the galleries you already admire and respect?
What makes a good relationship with a gallery?
Most gallery relationships begin by networking and getting an introduction at the right time. This is why good communication and networking skills are key for an artist, as often times it might be a collector, journalist, or curator to first mention an artist’s work to a gallerist.
